NAMI Leadership Academy Reaches the LGBT Community
September 25, 2010 was a groundbreaking day as I had the honor of providing the first NAMI Leadership Academy ever held for the LGBT community in Oklahoma City. It was offered at Expressions Community Center. The full day workshop brought a host of attendees ranging from folks in the LGBT community interested in learning how they can make a difference in speaking out against issues of stigma as well as those present representing Legal Aid, HIV/STD testing and training and Behavioral Health services. Marin Swesey, Coordinator, NAMI Multicultural Action Center at the NAMI headquarters in Arlington, VA shared the information about the upcoming workshop in a recent Conference Call Summary as the NAMI GLBT Leaders Group of which I am a member, promoted the workshop. I had an opportunity to outline what would be covered in the academy during a national Conference Call September 8, 2010.
From the evaluations of the workshop came these comments:
"To my knowledge, Robert is providing a level of LGBT advanced leadership/advocacy training that is available nowhere elese in Oklahoma. Please support him to continue developing and offering this caliber of information to more and more LGBT folks in Oklahoma. I learned more about general channels of activism than I even expected to - both inspiring and practical.
Thank you!"
"This was helpful and could benefit from broader advertisement - particularly at psych graduate programs where diversity training and social advocacy are valued. The orientation to board structures and protocol was VERY useful and I appreciated the emphasis on a strengths model."
The program was tailored to dialogue about the external social stresses placed upon the under served LGBT community and what members and supporters of that community can do to build their own self esteem and provide leadership to others. Research has shown that the presence of significant social stresses brought on by stigma can result in depression, feelings of isolation, frustration and an increased likelihood of self medication leading to addiction.
When even one member of the LGBT community is left feeling shamed and alone, marvelous human potential is left untapped. When it comes to speaking out and letting society know what the LGBT community wants. The answer is as simple as assumed heterosexual privileges. Nothing more and nothing less. BY OUR SILENCE WE LET OTHERS DEFINE US.
"As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others"
-Nelson Mandela
I am excited about offering through NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) another such Leadership Academy soon.
If you would be interested in attending or would like more information you can email me.
cre8futr@aol.com
10 Jan, 2010 | drgrupe | Leave comment - 44 -