TRUE - Rainbow Matters

True’s Rainbow Matters workshop will increase the knowledge and understanding of school-based staff in how to support LGBTIQ+ students and families. The information provided in this workshop is relevant to all school settings. It draws on research evidence to identify risk and protective factors for student wellbeing, which can be used to inform policy in your school setting, approaches to use when directly working with young people who may be at risk of homophobia or transphobia and ideas to integrate into your teaching practise. This workshop is guided by federal and state legislation, as well as relevant education policies, frameworks and procedures.
Participants attending the workshop will be able to:

• Broadly understand key terminology and concepts associated with LGBTIQ+ identities and cultures
• Identify risk and protective factors for wellbeing from research evidence relating to Australian youth
• Summarise the impacts of homophobia and transphobic behaviour in Queensland schools
• Identify opportunities for LGBTIQ+ student safety and inclusion in Queensland school communities
• Understand where to find further information and resources.

The Presenter

Kirstine Hand is the Project Coordinator of Capability, Confidence and Diversity Initiative at True Relationships and Reproductive Health. She also aims to increase awareness of the important role educators and school-based staff play in supporting student wellbeing and how this can be achieved through inclusive practices that are respectful of diversity.

Kirstine is a qualified teacher and has previous experience working in early childhood, school, university and non-government organisation settings. In additional to her role at True, she also currently works at QUT as a casual professional within the Faculty of Education. Kirstine is also on the committee for Diverse Voices, a non-profit organisation that provides phone and online support to the Queensland LGBTIQ+ community; and is a member of the Brisbane Police LGBTI Community Consultative Group.