This Professional Development Module has been developed by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) as part of the Commission’s responsibilities under the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Act 2021. The module will be delivered by leading advocate and trainer, Jac Tomlins, on behalf of the Commission

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

The module will provide an overview of the LGBTQA community in Australia right now, including the concept of Minority Stress and the importance of creating structural resilience.

Participants will learn about the ideology that underpins change and suppression practices, and the harms caused by these practices. They will have the opportunity to reflect on their own practice and to consider what best-practice might look like within their particular faith tradition or work environment. By the end of the workshop, participants should have a greater understanding of this complex area and some strategies for supporting the LGBTQA people with whom they work

HOW IS IT DELIVERED:

The workshop will be a safe place for participants to ask appropriate questions, to engage in open listening, and to share a range of views and experiences. There will be an opportunity for conversation, small group discussions, and questions and answers. Some of the content will be delivered by the facilitator; short videos, activities and case-studies will also be used.

WHO SHOULD COME:

The module is aimed at anyone who works in a professional capacity with people from LGBTQA communities who may have been affected by change or suppression practices. including faith leaders, spiritual and secular counsellors, mental health and pastoral care practitioners, volunteer leaders and administrative staff.

WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES:

1. An understanding of change and suppression ideology and practices

2. An understanding of the evidence-base for the harm experienced by survivors

3. An understanding of what best-practice pastoral care looks like

4. Ideas, tools and strategies to support LGBTQA people within their faith tradition

Two short pre-reading documents will be provided:

1. An explanation of LGBTQA language and terminology

2. A brief overview of the change and suppression legislation

TRAINER PROFILE:

Jac Tomlins is a writer, trainer, speaker and advocate with more than 30+ years’ experience working in the LGBTQ field.

Jac has marched, lobbied, agitated, advocated, spoken, and written – for marriage equality, for rainbow families, for inclusive practice, for legal change and better rights for the queer community – in many different spaces. She’s published extensively in both queer and mainstream press for the past 25 years.

Jac led the multi-award-winning Rainbow Tick Accreditation at VincentCare, the first Catholic organisation to achieve Rainbow Tick, and now runs a consultancy working for change in the hardest to reach places.

She undertook an extensive consultation process with survivors of conversion practices and key stake-holders to design a psychologically safe and effective learning packing for people at the intersection of faith and community.

For more information, please contact: damien.stevens-todd@thorneharbour.org