In 2012, NSVRC developed an information packet of materials for service providers working with the LGBTQ+ community. These resources were well-received and widely used by the field for many years. In 2023, NSVRC staff began talking with key partners about the current needs of LGBTQ+ community members and felt it was time to update our resources. These resources, “Creating Inclusive Agencies: Assessing Organizational Readiness & Capacity for Engaging LGBTQ+ Communities” and “Transformative Prevention Programming: Sexual violence prevention in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ+) communities” aim to give updated guidance and considerations for those serving this population.
NSVRC’s COO Jennifer Grove, sat down with us to discuss these resources and how she hopes they will lay a foundation for improved care and health outcomes for all survivors.
1. Why did NSVRC feel it was time to update their 2012 packet?
A lot has happened since 2012, especially with the LGBTQ+ community. A lot of our resources, when they were originally created for those working in LGBTQ+ communities back in 2012, were really great resources. What we discovered when we went back through them was that a lot of terminology has changed. Even the ways that we would advise people to approach working with LGBTQ+ communities have changed. Some of the information was simply outdated. The research, information, and language were outdated. So we really felt the need to overhaul some of those resources.
2. Do you think the increased visibility of LGBTQ+ people in and out of the MeToo movement has changed our approach to creating resources that focus on that population?
Yes, I think so. Just knowing that there is a need for resources for this community on this topic, a community that has been largely overlooked, under-resourced, and even excluded in the past. I definitely think having more visibility of people in the LGBTQ+ community is one of the reasons why we wanted to move forward with prioritizing these resources.
3. What can service providers find in these new resources?
For the “Creating Inclusive Agencies” guide, we really wanted to be able to point out some steps that organizations can take to build their capacity for engaging LGBTQ+ communities, how to do prevention work in those communities, and also how to provide services to survivors who identify as LGBTQ+. That particular resource really helps outline what those steps are. It also gives opportunities for people working in organizations to consider how they can move even further forward to becoming more inclusive and affirming, not just for their communities but for their LGBTQ+ staff members. Also included in that guide is how to collaborate with LGBTQ+ communities, what types of training and professional development there are, and what organizational policies and protocols that support this work look like. Also included are organizational assessment resources that have been developed specifically for organizations that are looking to provide more inclusive services for LGBTQ+ communities.
For the “Transformative Prevention Programming” document, we wanted to take a look at “What does it mean to provide really inclusive and transformative programming around prevention to LGBTQ+ communities, within LGBTQ+ communities, and with LGBTQ+ communities?” In addition to naming some programming that exists out there and having links to those resources, one of the things that this particular document does is provide an overview of the current climate we’re in here in 2024 for LGBTQ+ people in the United States. Obviously that’s really important to have some knowledge and foundational information about. It also discusses the landscape of LGBTQ+ inclusive prevention programming. So, what does that look like throughout the country? What’s happening out there with prevention in those communities? It also offers recommendations that organizations can make if they’re trying to create more affirming programs for those communities.
4. Are these resources useful for non-service providers as well?
I think so. Even though these are geared towards programs, organizations, and people who are providing services, they offer background information about these communities, their needs, and what’s out there for them for anyone to have, whether they’re providing direct services or not.
5. How do these resources address the need for programs to create an equitable and inclusive internal workplace environment before reaching out to LGBTQ communities?
The “Creating Inclusive Agencies” document is a great place to start for agencies that are really trying to lay the groundwork for working with LGBTQ+ communities. One of the first things that is mentioned (and resource links that are offered) is around organizational assessment. Part of assessment work is being open to learning what you know or don’t know and what you do or don’t have to offer the community. It’s being honest about that and getting feedback from not only internal folks but also community members. Who are the community members you’re trying to reach? How do they see you? Do they see you as a resource center? It might mean making some major changes to your organization. It might mean changing your organization’s name to be more inclusive and open. For instance, a lot of programs have changed from “the women’s center” to something that’s more inclusive, open and makes people feel like they can walk in and they don’t have to identify as a woman to receive services.
This guide is a really good resource for pointing people in the direction of some of those assessment strategies for just getting a “101” of “What does our organization currently look like and where are there gaps? How are we even reaching out to these communities? Are we engaging with them, and if we are, in what way? Are we including them in our work? Are we asking them to come to the table? Are we going into their communities and helping them with their needs and serving them in ways that can really help build relationships?” So, there’s a lot of really great strategy examples offered.
6. In what areas do you think service providers across the country still need to grow in reaching out to and serving LGBTQ communities?
I think one of the biggest things that we often hear (and that we heard during the development of these resources) is thinking about what a true partnership looks like. It’s one thing to say, “We serve anyone who comes through our doors!” but do you understand the community members who come through your doors? For instance, if you say, “We’re open and inclusive”, maybe you have a pride flag on the front door of your organization…but is everyone in your organization welcome and affirming? Are they being trained? There’s a lot of organizational capacity, but there’s also a lot of individual capacity that needs to be done with staff and making sure that everyone is on the same page within the organization. Also, understand that you truly want to serve that community within that partnership. You’re not coming up with ideas of what you think that community needs. You’re actually going into the community and working with the community members. Then finding out, “Where are their needs already being met?” Maybe there are groups in that community that are already meeting some of the needs that you’re trying to provide, so where can you fill in the gaps and do that in a meaningful way? Truly partnering with them, listening to them, and organizing your program in a way that meets their needs and welcomes them into the work that you’re doing is crucial.
7. Respect Together believes that health equity is vital in sexual violence prevention. How do you hope these resources and future resources contribute to the conversation around health equity for LGBTQ survivors?
One of the biggest ways to ensure everyone has the ability to live as healthy and safe a life as possible is making sure everyone has access to services, resources, and organizations that can help with things like education, healthcare, food, and shelter…all of these things are important to make sure that everyone can live as healthy a life as possible. In thinking about health equity, we know that there are barriers for some communities - LGBTQ+ communities being one of those communities - where there have historically been barriers to equitable spaces and equitable services for individuals. So, this is just one step in our thinking about our sexual violence prevention and intervention services. I think these resources are a step in the right direction to help agencies, organizations, staff members, and people working with these communities understand where they can begin breaking down some of those barriers and ensuring the doors are open for LGBTQ+ community members.
8. What sort of progress have you seen in the field that gives you hope that we will reach an equitable future for all survivors?
I’ve been doing this work for 27 years. I want to preface this by saying that I’m not a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but I am an ally to the community, so some of the things that I’ve seen are from the outside looking in. I remember when I first started back in the 90’s, there were a lot of barriers for this community in accessing resources and services. There really weren’t a lot of programs in the communities that I was working in that were specifically serving LGBTQ+ people. I can honestly say that in the programs I was working, we weren’t talking about this at all. So, although this community has faced numerous challenges (specifically right now with anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and discrimination), I have been really happy to see advocates and preventionists in our field diving into this work, having these hard conversations, really pushing forward programming and resources that speak to these communities, and are by and for these communities. More and more of these communities are involved in the work. They’ve been involved from the beginning of our anti-violence work, and it’s important that we are uplifting and supporting their work and their programs wherever we can.