Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

Special Emphasis Programs in a VA

SettingPresented by

Dot Hostetter, LCSWDorothy.Hostetter@va.gov

10/29/12

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.”

Office of Diversity and Inclusion

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

LGBT Special Emphasis Programs

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

Transgender

Recognize Exclusive Behavior

When people aren’t being inclusive Conversations & other types of

communications When people aren’t making eye contact

Events Work related Non-work related

Distribution of work, etc.

Interrupt Oppression

LGBT Say “Hi” to everyone. Make

yourself known. Be friendly. Join in on conversations Don’t be a victim Call out discrimination

“I don’t understand what you mean by that. Can you explain?”

Use humor “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 PersonalSGT 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

Executive Order 11478 – signed by President Obama in 2009 Includes sexual orientation and gender

identity

Your community

Market Your Committee

Announce at staff meetings Issue department wide emails or all

staff emails, if permitted Send emails to CBOC’s 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!

LESBIAN

GAY

BISEXUAL

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

Recognize that people have strong and deeply held beliefs

Speak to the heart of your listener

Be tolerant of intolerance

It is Personal

Policies and Procedures

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Gender identity discrimination is sexual

discrimination

Executive Order 11478 President Obama 2009 Amended section I of the Civil Service

Reform Act of 1978

LGBT SEP is a VA specific program in ODI

Vital Points Know your EEO program

Are there Special Emphasis Programs? Get involved in existing program If there isn’t a LGBT committee, start one.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 EO 11478 2009 LGBT SEP is a VA Specific program in

ODI Make it personal Use the strength of your allies Become an ally

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Matlovich

http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/otherprotections.cfm

http://www.diversity.va.gov/programs/default.aspx

http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/pe

ace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html

http://musicthoughts.com/t/359 Conduct Unbecoming, Randy Shilts