OLGBTQ resources

Training and consultation

The Office of LGBTQ Affairs is committed to increasing the number of people practicing LGBTQ + cultural humility. We achieve this goal through a two-pronged approach:

1. Design specialized training and consulting efforts for internal County of Santa Clara offices. This approach helps increase the volume of government entities and individuals trained in working with the LGBTQ+ Community.
2.  Provide professional development for community leaders to serve as facilitators and consultants throughout the county. 

As an office, we are committed to supporting your community by connecting you with resources and educational experiences to help you meet your goals. To do this, we want to know more about your organization/community and what you're looking for. By completing the request for training form​, we can garner this information and offer a pathway we believe will work for you.

Educational offerings

Online module: Building a more inclusive workspace 

In partnership with Kognito, a conversation simulation company, we designed an interactive learning module focused on LGBTQ inclusivity in the workplace. This 30-minute module is open to County employees, contract agencies, and service providers and is focused on creating a safe and supportive County work environment for LGBTQ individuals.

LGBTQ+ cultural competency 

This training will teach participants the language and definitions used when referencing sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Participants will explore various terms that apply to identity and consider how these concepts impact their lives and those with whom they interact. Various learning activities will help apply language in real-life situations and support participants in properly implementing this language. Lastly, participants will leave with an appreciation for and a clear understanding of how they can play a role in supporting members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Implicit bias: LGBTQ

Humans have developed a keen ability to organize surrounding information into categories. This skill has historically helped us determine friend from foe and ​safety from danger, yet today our brain unconsciously applies this skill to people with different identities. In this workshop, we will work to understand the nature of implicit bias, examine when our implicit biases may be at play, and train our brains to notice when they arise. Lastly, we will explore potential tactics for dismantling harmful narratives resulting from implicit bias and how we apply this to our personal and professional lives.

TGI pathways to meaningful employment 

Led by TransCanWork, this workshop innovative strategies for TGI pathways to employment. Participants learn about recruitment and retention best practices, get answers to the questions they’ve been afraid to ask, and create supportive atmospheres of belonging for everyone in the workplace. ⁠ If you are a County department interested in learning more, please contact us at [email protected].