Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Special Emphasis Programs in a VA Setting Presented by Dot Hostetter, LCSW

Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) “By establishing and utilizing Special Emphasis Programs and engaging with affinity groups, agencies can raise employee awareness of the importance of diversity and demonstrate the agency ’ s commitment to a model EEO workplace.” “By establishing and utilizing Special Emphasis Programs and engaging with affinity groups, agencies can raise employee awareness of the importance of diversity and demonstrate the agency ’ s commitment to a model EEO workplace.”

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Special Emphasis Programs Special Emphasis Programs African American African American Asian American and Pacific Islander Asian American and Pacific Islander Internships Internships Hispanic Hispanic LGBT LGBT Native American Native American Individuals with Disabilities Individuals with Disabilities VA for Vets VA for Vets Women ’ s Program Women ’ s Program

LGBT Special Emphasis Programs It is personal It is personal Recognize exclusive behavior Recognize exclusive behavior Interrupt oppression Interrupt oppression Know your facts Know your facts Market your committee Market your committee Be creative Be creative Spell it out! Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Spell it out! Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender

Recognize Exclusive Behavior W hen p eo ple aren’t being inclusive W hen p eo ple aren’t being inclusive Conversations & other types of communications Conversations & other types of communications When people aren’t making eye contact When people aren’t making eye contact Events Events Work related Work related Non-work related Non-work related Distribution of work, etc. Distribution of work, etc.

Interrupt Oppression LGBT Say “Hi” to everyone. Make yourself known. Be friendly. Say “Hi” to everyone. Make yourself known. Be friendly. Join in on conversations Join in on conversations Don’t be a victim Don’t be a victim Call out discrimination Call out discrimination “I don’t understand what you mean by that. Can you explain?” “I don’t understand what you mean by that. Can you explain?” Use humor Use humor “I am hurt by that.” “I am hurt by that.”

Interrupt Oppression Allies Have the courage of your convictions Acknowledge other’s presence and include them in the conversation Interrupt gay jokes Include stories about gay friends Invite co-workers and their partners/significant others to events

Mary’s Story

Make It Personal SGT Leonard Matlovich

SGT Leonard P. Matlovitch “ When Americans remember and honor those who gave their lives fighting, it never occurs to them that some of the strongest, bravest, and most heroic were also gay. It is time for us, as a community, to remedy that. ” --The Advocate 1987

SGT Leonard P. Matlovich

Make It Personal “I Have a Dream” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Know Your Facts EEO program EEO program Executive Order – signed by President Obama in 2009 Executive Order – signed by President Obama in 2009 Includes sexual orientation and gender identity Includes sexual orientation and gender identity Your community Your community

Market Your Committee Announce at staff meetings Announce at staff meetings Issue department wide s or all staff s, if permitted Issue department wide s or all staff s, if permitted Send s to CBOC’s Send s to CBOC’s Offer contact info for additional info Offer contact info for additional info

Be Creative Plan events for all staff Lunch and Learn sessions (offer food) Teach LGBT cultural competencies Grand Rounds Team with community organizations Encourage participation in HealthCare Equality Index

SPELL IT OUT! SPELL IT OUT! LESBIAN GAY GAY BISEXUAL BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER TRANSGENDER

“I ’ ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” --Maya Angelou

Speak from your heart; use your passion Speak from your heart; use your passion Recognize that people have strong and deeply held beliefs Recognize that people have strong and deeply held beliefs Speak to the heart of your listener Speak to the heart of your listener Be tolerant of intoleranc e Be tolerant of intoleranc e It is Personal

Policies and Procedures Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Gender identity discrimination is sexual discrimination Gender identity discrimination is sexual discrimination Executive Order Executive Order President Obama 2009 President Obama 2009 Amended section I of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 Amended section I of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 LGBT SEP is a VA specific program in ODI LGBT SEP is a VA specific program in ODI

Vital Points Know your EEO program Know your EEO program Are there Special Emphasis Programs? Are there Special Emphasis Programs? Get involved in existing program Get involved in existing program If there isn ’ t a LGBT committee, start one. If there isn ’ t a LGBT committee, start one. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 EO EO LGBT SEP is a VA Specific program in ODI LGBT SEP is a VA Specific program in ODI Make it personal Make it personal Use the strength of your allies Use the strength of your allies Become an ally Become an ally

References tes/1964/king-bio.html tes/1964/king-bio.html tes/1964/king-bio.html tes/1964/king-bio.html Conduct Unbecoming, Randy Shilts Conduct Unbecoming, Randy Shilts