.png)
For the best experience, it is recommended that you view this content on a laptop or desktop computer. PLEASE HAVE POPUPS ENABLED. PDF handouts and other features may open in a new window to reduce disruption of the training module pages.
If you encounter any technical difficulties or need support of any kind during this training, please visit our FAQ page.
facilitated by Ashley Heidebrecht, LMSW
Module 2
Identifying Your Bias
In Module 1, we examined history and the creation of narratives and bias. Now it is time to look at how those narratives and bias impact you, your beliefs, and the way you view and interact with the world.
Implicit Association/Bias Tests
Why is participating in these tests important? In order to get the most out of this training, you have to be willing to reflect on your own identity and beliefs. These implicit association tests are a jumping off point to do just that. Your results may surprise you.
These activities require some hand dexterity to press keyboard keys quickly. If you are blind or low-vision, please note that the Implicit Association Tests may not be compatible with screed readers. If you are unable to complete these activities due to any of those reasons, we apologize and do ask that you please proceed to the next section of this module.
The tests you need to complete are:
Transgender
Sexuality
Gender-Career
Gender-Science
There may be additional survey questions before and after each test. These are not required for the purposes of this training, and you can click "skip" for each question if you do not want to participate. The total time to complete these tests will be approximately 20 minutes.
Pause to Reflect
What was your experience like completing the Implicit Association Tests? Did you feel stressed? Anxious? What were your thoughts while reading your results? Were you surprised? Upset? Or, were your results what you expected?
There are many ways that our anti-LGBTQ+ narratives and bias transform into discrimination and abuse. In this video we'll be talking about some of those ways, and particularly examining health and mental health care.
As you view the content in this section, there is a very important point I encourage you to keep in mind. LGBTQ+ people aren't the cause of this discrimination and abuse. The fact that they are LGBTQ+ isn't the problem. The problem is that our society's reaction to difference, to someone being outside the norm, is abusive and violent. The problem is that as a society it has historically been viewed as more acceptable to actively discriminate and dehumanize a person who does not conform to our rigid social norms, than it is for two men to have a loving partnership and raise children together, or a person born with male genitalia to identify and express themself as a woman. While there is no doubt these paradigms are shifting, heteronormativity, homophobia, and transphobia still persist.
Reflect back on that question that was posed in Module 1: Who has the right to tell you your existence is invalid?
Now let's look at personal stories outlining some of the many other ways our narratives and bias transform into discrimination and abuse. Listening to or seeing the lived experiences of others is a crucial part of not only becoming an ally, but also in better understanding ourselves.
This year, in 2020, over 350 transgender people were killed worldwide, a figure that has risen since last year’s total of 331.
The annual global list is released for Transgender Day of Remembrance, held on November 20 each year. The list shows that this year the average age of those killed was 31, with the youngest just 15.
While a fifth (22%) of the transgender people murdered were killed inside their own house.
The majority of the murders happened in Central and South America, totaling 287. Like last year, the most deaths in a single country happened in Brazil, totaling 43% of global deaths (152 people).
In the United States and its territories, 37 murders have been counted. Please read their names below.
Dustin Parker
Neulisa Luciano Ruiz
Yampi Méndez Arocho
Scott/Scottlynn DeVore
Monika Diamond
Lexi
Johanna Metzger
Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos
Layla Pelaez Sánchez
Penélope Díaz Ramírez
Nina Pop
Helle Jae O’Regan
Tony McDade
Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells
Riah Milton
Jayne Thompson
Selena Reyes-Hernandez
Brian “Egypt” Powers
Brayla Stone
Merci Mack
Shaki Peters
Bree Black
Summer Taylor
Marilyn Cazares
Dior H Ova
Queasha D Hardy
Aja Raquell Rhone-Spears
Lea Rayshon Daye
Kee Sam
Aerrion Burnett
Mia Green
Michelle Michellyn Ramos Vargas
Felycya Harris
Brooklyn Deshuna
Sara Blackwood
Angel Unique
Yunieski Carey Herrera
(Human Rights Campaign, 2020)
Narratives and Bias Cause Abuse
Pause to Reflect
You've seen now examples of discrimination, historical disenfranchisement. What do you think? Who has the right to tell you your existence is invalid?
Lived Experiences
The following videos share personal experiences and discussion of identity of folks in the LGBT+ community. As you take in this content, be reflecting on your own identity.
Normalizing the LGBTQ+ community is an important step in ending discrimination and stereotypes/stigma. Reflect on how you felt when starting this training compared to now. Do you feel any differently about the LGBTQ+ community? Are there any stereotypes you believed that have now been broken? How comfortable do you feel now vs. when you began the training?
Privilege, Oppression, and Intersectionality
This video will discuss the concepts of intersectionality, privilege, and oppression, and provide an opportunity to reflect on your own identity. In order to understand the impact of the systems around us and how we can influence them, we need to understand the concept of intersectionality.
The following videos demonstrate intersectionality. First Nations people, Muslims, the immigrant community, and the Deaf community are part of the LGBTQ+ community. As you view these videos, reflect on these questions: Have you ever considered that a Deaf person can also be Queer? What about a migrant seeking asylum? How often do you see a person and consciously realize that there is a complex identity within them? How often do you think about your own identity?
The attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando has drawn attention to Muslim views of LGBT people and the challenges for LGBT Muslims. Muslim LGBT advocates say more help is needed from allies to fight anti-gay prejudice in their communities. (From June, 2016)
