I think there are aspects I never thought about. She started the course by asking us to write down a few things that are important to us, get in a group and discuss your previous day without mentioning the important things to you. We as a group all thought it was difficult discussing our days without expressing the most important pieces. Her response was asking us if we could imagine hiding these pieces away for weeks, months or even years. That was eye opening for me.
I feel like it will help me understand everyone on a greater level. To recognize we never know what someone is pushing down in order to survive their day and to always be able and willing to show respect for all.

Something as simple as not using inclusive language in employee forms that may need to be filled in the workplace can have a huge impact and create undue stress on an employee. Forms can sometimes ask people to indicate their sex (female/male) or gender (man/woman) often in a way that is not inclusive. I never really thought about the impact something like this can have.
I loved how this course opened our minds to changing our current practices in such simple areas. One of the steps Arcus can work on is ensuring that our surveys and forms (client and employee) provide options that represent the diversity of our community. Working on inclusive language, importance of pronouns etc in our policies and procedures and day to day practices is a great start.

The initial break out activity refraining from discussing the important things that fill our days. When they asked us to think about not being about to talk about who I was on a long term basis, this was eye opening. Also, terminology I misunderstood and/or did not understand (never heard or seen used).
Intersectionality and the importance of working on ally ship will help me to better understand/support the individuals we support. There is still so much to learn to continue on with the support.

I was surprised to learn the terminology and language surrounding gender identity, and how challenging and troublesome it can be for people to hide their sexuality and orientation. The initial exercises highlighted these difficulties for me.
The course will help me better support others by understanding the LGBTQIA community more, fostering a more positive and inclusive environment at Arcus.

This course really opened my eyes to the everyday challenges that people of the 2SLGBTQ+ community face.
With what I have learned, I will be able to increase the dignity and respect brought into the workplace everyday.

I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop, I felt it offered education and knowledge to bring positive changes and attitude. I was made aware of inclusiveness, understanding and challenges faced by the 2SLGBTQ community. Scenario participation was meaningful and definitely eye opening. To imagine living day to day life having to lie in order to prevent judgement, bullying, harassment and/or disrespect in this day and age is frustrating. As a society we need to dismantle traditional assumptions about gender and sexual identities which I feel is slowly happening. I still would like to learn more.

I think what surprised me most the level of disrespect and disregard may of the 2SLGBTQ+ community face at the workplace. Some members of the community use pronouns she/they or he/they as they may use she or he in the workplace and they/them in their personal life.
I hope this course (and I still have a lot to learn) will assist me in helping continue a culture of respect for gender differences and help foster a safe work environment which is inclusive and affirming.

During the course I attended, we participated in an activity where we had to talk about our day without mentioning our partner and three of the most important interests or activities in our life. I found this very difficult, and it gave me some insight into the difficulty and frustration that people in the 2SLGBTQ+ community experience when they are unable to share important parts of their life for fear of rejection or judgment. Participating in the in-service has helped me to be more mindful of the struggles that others face and to focus on fostering an accepting environment without judgment so that all individuals, regardless of sex, gender, race, or religion, are accepted and valued in our community/work place.

I appreciated learning the breadth of space in which individuals are able to express their true selves. I didn't feel this was a surprise but it did open my eyes to the levels and ways the 2SLGBTQ+ community upholds inclusivity.
I think the overarching point to carry into my work is quite interesting.
We work with a vulnerable population and this level of intersectionality does raise questions but also opportunities. Inclusivity in itself should be not just for the few or even the many; we should go further than that. Allowing others the space to engage, take interest in, or express areas outside of a gender normative approach provides autonomy. Take into consideration those who may not have the opportunity to articulate or fulfill how they feel or who they are apart from their behaviour. What they like, what they do, how they present themselves, should not be limited to a gender normative lens. Within our sector, our individuals face challenges and I think that if there is any opportunity to allow them to be their true self, we are ensuring dignity, respect, and wholeness. Our guiding principals for others should always be guided by them, not what we place on them to be of value.

Queer Competency