Session Description

Over the last five generations, the number of individuals that belong to the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States has either doubled or nearly doubled when compared to the previous generation. Therapeutic recreation provides services, known and likely unknown, to individuals identifying with the LGBTQIA+ community daily. This presentation will examine overarching topics and concepts, such as current demographics and community trends, community-accepted language and terminology, unconscious bias, and discrimination. Unique challenges and strengths often associated with being a young person within the LGBQTIA+ community will be explored. This presentation will also discuss specific factors to consider when applying with APIE process with LGBTQIA+ youth as well as review current evidence-based therapeutic recreation practices for providing culturally competent services to youth that belong to the LGBQTIA+ community. Educational resources, strategies for enhancing inclusion, and tools for practicing allyship in therapeutic recreation will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define community membership, accepted vs. rejected terminology, and current demographical trends as it relates to youth in the LGBTQIA+ community
2. Describe 3+ commonly shared cultural values, life experiences, and protective and risk factors pertinent to youth within the LGBQTIA+ community
3. Articulate 3+ evidence-based practices and specific factors to consider when applying the Therapeutic Recreation APIE process with youth within the LGBTQIA+ community