Presented by Jane Oxenbury & Leslie Robinson. LGBTQ2S+ seniors may deal with a unique set of issues that don’t impact other populations. Some have to go back into the closet when accessing services. Some have needs that are ignored when they are unable to speak for themselves. Some have needs that fall outside of the usual standards of care for a service. Service providers may believe that their services are generic to all populations. However, even though service providers are well meaning, many are not trained to inquire about and support LGBTQ2S+ concerns. Some are uncomfortable with the use of different pronouns and names. Sometimes differences in cultural beliefs of some staff may lead to potential discrimination of clients. This is a facilitated conversation between LGBTQ2S+ seniors and service providers to open the discussion about needs and options. This is a safe place for queer seniors and their allies to have a conversation about the current and impending needs of an underserved population and what solutions can be devised.
In her private practice in Calgary, Alberta, Jane Oxenbury, M.Ed., R.Psych. works extensively with the LGBTQ* communities, especially in the areas of same-sex domestic violence, the bullying and harassment of LGBTQ* youth and Gender Dysphoria. She has given numerous workshops regarding counselling techniques, sexual identity, domestic violence, childhood abuse, trauma, anger management, assertion, and communication. Her current volunteer positions are with the Calgary Police Service Gender and Sexual Diversity Advisory Board and the Alberta Health Services Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Provincial Advisory Council. She is a member of the Psychologists Association of Alberta, the College of Alberta Psychologists, the Canadian Psychologists Association, the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, and the Canadian Society of Clinical Hypnosis – Alberta Division. She has done training with and hold memberships in the Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. She co-authored the chapters “Counselling Lesbians” in “Culturally-Infused Counselling: Celebrating the Canadian Mosaic” (2005) and “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Individuals” in “Canadian Counselling Psychology in the 21st Century” (2015), as well as the book The Pantry: Creating a Healthy Relationship One Shelf at a Time (2018).
Leslie Robinson, MA (Adult Ed) is a professional facilitator of positive change with individuals, educational institutions, government, and non-profits, using Appreciative Inquiry and Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW). She authored 15 books, including The Five Minute Facilitator and The Pantry – Creating a Healthy Relationship One Shelf at a Time. For the last 15 years I have been on faculty at Training in Power and teach individuals to become more of who they really are. She is a long term active member of the LGBTQ2S+ communities advocating for diversity and inclusion, both in Calgary and in Victoria. With her partner, Jane, she facilitated workshops on Creating Healthy Relationships and Seniors and Sexuality at last year’s Wellness conference.
