Rainbow Resources for Professionals working with LGBTIQ clients

RAINBOW RESOURCES for Professionals working with LGBTIQ clients

Please address changes, additions, comments or requests for printed copies to contact@oogachaga.com. A PDF version of this guide is available on bitly.com/videosguides If you find this guide useful, do consider making a small donation to Oogachaga at http://bit.ly/supportoogachaga Oogachaga Publication 1.0 | September 2015 Cover image from Freepik.com, design by Bryan Choong

About Rainbow Resources This booklet is intended as a handy guide for professionals in social service, healthcare and education settings who may be working with clients who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or questioning (LGBTIQ).

It provides a glossary of the basic terminologies used to describe the LGBTIQ community, and a listing of resources that you and your clients may find useful.

About Oogachaga Oogachaga is a community-based professional counselling, support and personal development organisation for LGBTIQ individuals, couples and families. Our main services are: • professional face-to-face counselling • hotline, whatsapp and email counselling • support groups for men and women • community workshops and forums • training and public education for professionals

OC Hotline 6226 2002 and Whatsapp 8592 0609 (Tue to Thu from 7 to 10pm and Sat from 2 to 5pm)

Women on Wednesdays Hotline 6226 6629 (Wed from 7 to 10pm) 57B Pagoda Street Singapore 059216 • admin 6224 9373 contact@oogachaga.com • www.oogachaga.com www.congregaytion.sg • www.twitter.com/oogachaga www.instagram.com/oogachaga • www.fb.com/oogachaga

Quick Definitions Understanding the differences in Sex, Gender, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation.

• Sex is biological and refers to our genetic makeup, hormones and anatomy, including reproductive organs. Most people understand sex as “female” or “male”.

• Gender refers to society’s expectations of an individual’s role. These expectations shape our perception and behaviour in relation to others. Our gender may also determine our biological, social and legal statuses. Most people understand gender in binary terms: as a “woman” or a “man”.

• Gender identity describes our internal, personal sense of being a woman or a man, or someone outside of that gender binary. This includes thoughts, feelings and expressions of our gender and gender roles through our behaviour, physical appearance, attire etc.

• Sexual orientation describes our enduring romantic, emotional and/ or physical attraction to another person, whether they are of the same or different genders.

LGBTIQ stands for: • Lesbian – Describes a woman who is attracted to

women. The word may be used as a noun or an adjective. Eg: “I am a lesbian” or “Ellen identifies as lesbian”.

• Gay – Describes a man who is attracted to men.

More appropriately used as an adjective instead of a noun. Eg: “I am a gay man” or “Ian is gay.”

• Bisexual – Someone who is attracted to both women and men. Usually used as an adjective. Eg: “She just came out as bisexual” or “Bisexual people are often misunderstood”.

• Transgender – An umbrella term describing people whose current gender identity is different from the biological sex assigned to them at birth. The word is more appropriately used as an adjective, not as a noun. Eg: “Caitlyn came out as a transgender woman” or “Christopher identifies as transgender.”

• Intersex – A general term for describing a variety of conditions in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male.

• Questioning – Someone who is exploring or unsure about their sexual orientation and/ or gender identity.

• Queer – Previously considered a derogatory word for homosexuals, in recent years the term has been reclaimed by the community and used to broadly include all LGBTIQ persons.

Do all people from the sexual minorities identify with these labels?

Not everyone fits neatly into these LGBTIQ labels. This makes working with clients on sexuality-related issues a challenging and enlightening experience. While it is helpful to have these definitions to guide professionals and clients in discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity, there are also those who do not limit themselves to LGBTQ labels.

When you are in doubt: • Ask your client which sexual orientation they identify with. Different people may use different terms for themselves. Eg: “How might you describe your sexual orientation?”

• Ask your transgender client how they wish to describe their gender identity, even if they have not undergone gender reassignment surgery. Eg: “What would you say is your current gender identity? How may I address you correctly? What gender pronouns would you prefer me to use?”

Oogachaga Centre

It is also important to note that sexual orientation is independent of sexual behaviours. This means one does not need to be sexually active to be considered as a gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender person.

As a professional, it would be inappropriate to dismiss your client’s self-identification on the sole basis of them not being sexually active.

Apart from the above definitions of sexual orientations, some clients may identify with the following behavioural terms. They should not be viewed as people who are denying their homosexuality or bisexuality.

• Men who have sex with Men (MSM) – a man who has sexual relations with another man, but may not identify as gay or bisexual.

• Women who have sex with Women (WSW) – a woman who has sexual relations with another woman, but does not identify as lesbian or bisexual.

What can I do to support my LGBTIQ clients better?

Your client might take a while before they are comfortable and trust you enough to disclose their LGBTIQ identity. Although your skills as a professional will help you to build trust, creating a safe and supportive space will naturally encourage your client to feel comfortable enough to share more.

An LGBTIQ-affirmative environment can be created by: • Using appropriate language for inclusivity, and resist making heterosexual assumptions.

• Using gender-neutral terms such as ‘spouse’, ‘partner’ and ‘significant other’ instead of making assumptions about gender, eg: ‘husband’, ‘wife’, ‘boyfriend’ and ‘girlfriend’.

• Maintaining strict confidentiality about the content discussed in your sessions.

• Including fields such as ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘current gender identity’ in your agency’s intake form to acknowledge LGBTIQ clients’ needs.

Consider having an ‘Others’ option for clients to use their own terms.

• Promoting the understanding of LGBTIQ people and issues among fellow professionals. You should also include office staff such as receptionists and administrators in these training sessions, as they are integral in fostering an overall safe space.

• Addressing any homophobic and transphobic remarks in the professional setting. An inclusive working environment means a safe and supportive space for everyone, including clients, staff and volunteers.

• Learning more about the LGBTIQ community resources in Singapore. We have compiled a list in this guide.

• Posting LGBTIQ-related materials such as stickers, symbols, flags or flyers in your workplace.

• Displaying publications and other resources related to LGBTIQ sexuality or sexual health in your waiting area or counselling room. More materials are available from Oogachaga upon request.

access Oogachaga publications and videos on bitly.com/videosguides

LGBTIQ and LGBTIQ friendly service providers and groups

Pelangi Pride Centre

LGBTIQ community groups with physical space FREE COMMUNITY CHURCH An inclusive church where LGBTIQ persons and relationships are affirmed and celebrated though their Sunday Services, small groups, counselling support and other programmes.

1 Commonwealth Lane #02-02 Singapore 149544 www.freecomchurch.org • www.fb.com/groups/6523770822

PELANGI PRIDE CENTRE (PPC) A community space and resource centre for the LGBTIQ community. Operates out of FCC every Sat from 2 - 6pm. www.pelangipridecentre.org

THE T PROJECT A group set up to empower the transgender community through its programs and shelter. www.fb.com/TheTprojectsg

LGBTIQ friendly service providers ACTION FOR AIDS (AFA) AFA provides support and assistance to persons living with HIV and AIDS by raising societal awareness, education and understanding of HIV/AIDS. www.afa.org.sg • www.gayhealth.sg www.fb.com/afa.singapore • www.fb.com/gayhealthsg

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS SINGAPORE AA Singapore is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that

they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. Its LGBT meeting takes place every Sunday. www.singaporeaa.org

ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN FOR ACTION AND RESEARCH (AWARE) Singapore’s leading gender equality advocacy group for both women and men. aware@aware.org.sg • www.aware.org.sg • www.fb.com/awaresg

CHAT A team of mental healthcare professionals who are experienced in working young people with mental health concerns. www.chat.mentalhealth.sg • www.fb.com/chatfans

COUNSELLING AND CARE CENTRE A non-governmental and non-profit agency which offers counselling services. www.counsel.org.sg

DSC (DEPARTMENT OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS CONTROL) CLINIC A specialist outpatient clinic for the diagnosis, treatment and control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Singapore. www.dsc-clinic.sg

SAMARITANS OF SINGAPORE (SOS) A non-profit and non-religious organisation which aims to provide 24-hour confidential emotional support to people in crisis, thinking of suicide or affected by suicide.

1800-221 4444 (24 hours daily) Email Befriending - pat@samaritans.org.sg www.samaritans.org.sg

SEX AND LOVE ADDICTIONS ANONYMOUS SLAA Singapore welcomes anyone that wishes to receive help from a pattern of sex and love addiction. www.sg-slaa.com

TSOI CLINIC A psychiatrist and general practitioner experienced in working with transgender individuals.

Tanglin Shopping Centre #06-02 19 Tanglin Road Singapore 247909 6734 5191

main LGBTIQ community groups and events FOR MEN

THE BEAR PROJECT A gay community for bears, cubs, Gmen, stocky, big-sized and guys-who-love-them. www.fb.com/thebearprojectpage

FOR WOMEN

SAYONI A community-oriented organisation committed to making the lives of lesbian, bisexual, queer and transgender women better. www.sayoni.com • www.fb.com/fbSAYONI

WOMEN’S NITE A safe, neutral and alcohol-free space for lesbian and bisexual women to gather and discuss the issues relevant to their lives. These gatherings are scheduled on the last Saturday of every month. www.women-snite.livejournal.com

FOR TRANSGENDER

PROJECT X An organisation that believes sex work is a legitimate form of work. Community and advocacy work includes outreach to transgender sex workers. www.theprojectx.org

SGBUTTERFLY An online portal dedicated to providing goodwill information and raising awareness on the transgender community.

www.sgbutterfly.org • www.fb.com/groups/sgbutterfly

TRANS* IT Trans* it! aims to support trans* identified individuals in their lives, be it their social or physical transition, or just to provide a listening ear and increase trans* visibility. www.thepurplealliance.com • www.fb.com/ThePurpleAlliance

VOICES OF THE SONS A transman support group providing support, advice, transrelated information. www.voicesofthesons.tumblr.com

FOR YOUTH

INTER-UNIVERSITY LGBT NETWORK (IULN) The IULN is a platform for student groups in Singapore universities to collaborate in creating safer, more inclusive school communities through support and/or education. http://interunilgbt.wix.com/interunilgbt • InterUniLGBT@gmail.com.

SGRAINBOW SGRainbow is a non-profit community social group for GBQ men aged 18 to 35 in Singapore. www.sgrainbow.org • www.fb.com/sgrainbow

THE PURPLE ALLIANCE A group committed to coordinate social events, conduct education and provide health assistance to the LGBTQ community. www.thepurplealliance.com • www.fb.com/ThePurpleAlliance

YOUNG OUT HERE A queer youth group, run by youth leaders for youths. www.young-out-here.com • www.instagram.com/YoungOutHere

FOR PARENTS AND LGBT PARENTS

RAINBOW PARENTS SG A place for LGBT parents to exchange information, share resources and support each other. www.rainbowparents.sg • www.fb.com/RainbowParentsSG

SAFE SINGAPORE A group formed by parents, families and friends of LGBTQ individuals. www.safesingapore.blogspot.sg

MAIN LGBTIQ EVENTS

INDIGNATION Singapore’s own annual LGBTQ Pride season. www.fb.com/IndigNationSG

PINK DOT SG An annual event for those who support the belief that everyone deserves the freedom to love. www.pinkdot.sg • www.fb.com/pinkdotsg

For full listing of all LGBTIQ community groups in Singapore, please refer to What’s Out Here Guide which is available on bitly.com/videosguides