RA Training: LGBTQ 101

August 18, 2014

Definitions
Lesbian a self-identified woman who has emotional,
physical, and sexual attractions to other women.
Gay usually, but not always, refers to men with
attractions to other men. Also used as an umbrella term
for the LGBT community.
Bisexual a person who has emotional, physical, and
sexual attraction to members of more than one gender.
Transgender an umbrella term for people whose
gender identity does not match ones birth assigned
gender.

Definitions
Queer an umbrella term sometimes used by some in
the LGBT community as an alternative to more
traditional labels of gender and sexuality.
Gender the state of femininity or masculinity.

Sex a persons biological status (generally categorized

as male, female, or intersex).
Gender Identity ones sense of oneself as male,
female, or transgender.
Sexual Identity refers to the sex of those to whom one
is sexually and romantically attracted.

Potential Stresses for LGTBQ Students

Low self-esteem as a result of feeling abnormal
Grief due to suppression of gender and/or sexual
identities.
Frustration and anger toward society for not living up to
societal norms.
Fear of others.
Internalized homophobia.

Coming Out
Coming out of the closet refers to the process of publicly
and personally accepting ones LGBTQ identity.
Why might members of the LGBTQ community fear
coming out?

Why might members of the LGBTQ community want to

come out?
How might members of the LGBTQ community feel
about coming out?

How to Support LGBTQ Residents

Understand that the individual has not changed. They are still
the same person you knew.
Dont ask inappropriate questions.
If you would like to learn more about the resident, ask genuine
and considerate questions.

Avoid making assumptions about the persons experience as a

member of the LGBTQ community.
Actively listen to the student.
Clarify your willingness to keep this information confidential.
If you dont understand or have questions, seek resources to help
educate yourself on the community.

Best Practices for Positive

Interactions with LGBTQ Students
Understand and check your feelings and assumptions about
the LGBTQ community.
Provide a supportive atmosphere for LGBTQ students.
Avoid heternormative language.
Advocate for programs that educate others about LGBTQ
issues.
Be sympathetic.
Be a referral agent if you cannot meet the needs of LGBTQ
students.
Confront anti-LGBTQ jokes and comments.

Case Study
There is a resident on your floor who is rumored to be gay.
You dont know this resident very well because he keeps
to himself and he doesnt spend much time on the floor.
Lately youve heard rumors that this resident is getting
harassed by other residents through twitter and
homophobic notes on the residents door. You suspect that
the resident is too afraid to report the harassment so you
decide to go and speak to him about what youve heard is
going on. How do you approach this situation?

Case Study
There is a female resident on your floor that youve
gotten to know very well named Teresa. She is very
outgoing and has made many friends on the floor. As
winter term progresses you notice that she becomes a bit
more withdrawn and you are concerned that she might be
depressed. She sleeps through her classes and tells you
that shes been having increasing trouble with her
academics. You ask her what she thinks is causing her to
have trouble in school. She tells you that she cannot
concentrate very well because she thinks she might be
gay. She isnt sure and she is very confused. She tells you
that her friends and parents would reject her if they
found out she might be gay. She doesnt know what to do.
What are some suggestions you have to help her out?

Resources
On Campus Resources:
Tristan Fretwell
Ashley Gutshall
Counseling Services
T-Unity
Community Resources:
Lexington Gay Straight Alliance
Gay and Lesbian Services Organization
Lexington Fairness
TransKentucky
AVOL

National Resources:
GLAAD
Trans Student Equality Resources
The Trevor Project