Why get training? Most health service organizations* provide conventional programs and services for mainstream individuals and families. LGBT individuals are repeatedly turned away from these services, or don’t seek services at all, because of the fear and/or reality that these services fail to meet their needs. Delaying or avoiding necessary care can lead to negative health outcomes with potentially life-threatening consequences. As LGBT populations experience significant barriers to health service provision, many organizations are discovering that they are ill-prepared to provide culturally competent, non-discriminatory services. With training and technical assistance, organizations can attempt to close these gaps by learning more about LGBT populations and how to respectfully serve them. Ultimately, providers gain the tools to offer equal access to services, thus ensuring that all clients can participate fully. * Willy uses the term health service organizations to describe substance abuse, mental health, medical, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, youth, educational, and other organizations that provide a range of public health and social services. |
 “Our county is a mix of rural and suburban communities with a clearly conservative leaning. Willy’s open and trusting presence allowed participants to feel safe asking tough and potentially uncomfortable questions. Willy never reacted defensively or took offense and simply used the opportunity to enlighten and educate those attending. The training methods and encouragement helped attendees be honest and participate freely.”-- Cyndy Bigbee, Training Coordinator, Northern California County Health Department "Willy did an amazing job providing a training at our health center's Spring Retreat. The staff truly loved, and benefitted from, his insights, information, engaging personality, and openness to the process. I plan to invite him back for future trainings, to build on the vital foundation of knowledge and awareness that has now been created." -- Inge Hansen, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist, Coordinator of the Weiland Initiative for Gender and Sexual Identity Issues in Student Health, Vaden Health Center, Stanford University |
