Gender diversity, an umbrella term, describes gender identities beyond the typical binary foundation long ingrained in western culture. While increased representation in the media has been advantageous to those living their diverse gender journeys, these individuals are best supported when professionals, friends, and family members have a better understanding of the challenges they are regularly experiencing.
This workshop is designed to provide mental health practitioners with an improved understanding of these journeys, and will include a brief overview of the gender expression movement. Participants will engage in discussion and art making activities around the diverse gender journeys that humans experience.
Additionally, this presentation will highlight the open studio project and art installation, The Gender Summit, to help illustrate tangible examples of open studio art therapy in action.
This workshop will provide an engaging and safe space for creativity, curiosity and enriching discussion on a topic that has been misunderstood by many, and will include allyship and strategies for supporting individuals on their gender journey.
During this training, participants will:
- Recognize appropriate language and common terminology relating to the LGBTQIA+ community
- Examine the four dimensions of transgender identity to consider in mental health treatment
- Identify strategies to create a strong foundation in allyship in mental health treatment
- Recognize six aspects of social transition that a transgender or gender non-conforming person might experience on their gender journey
BA Short, LCAT, ATR-BC, ATCS is a mixed race (Wolastiqiyik/Maliseet), genderqueer/nonbinary person. They also experience multiple invisible disabilities. BA is an artist, art therapist, educator, filmmaker and storyteller. In all of their work BA applies a postmodernist approach incorporating intersectionality, social constructionism, liberation theories, feminism, queer theory, and antiracism.
“I believe human beings will always be evolving. My work relies on empathy, language, storytelling and art. Often this means there are multiple truths and realities to explore, understand and witness. I also believe in the importance of acknowledging, questioning and creatively dismantling historical systemic power structures that have been in place marginalizing individuals.”
