Gender: A Whole New World

Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 6:00p.m. - 7:15p.m.

Bradley Hospital, the nation’s first psychiatric hospital for children, and the Lifespan Community Health Institute offer the Parenting Matters workshops series. Our workshops offer parents, childcare providers, social workers and teachers a unique opportunity to learn from top child development and behavior professionals in a casual setting.

This online, Zoom workshop will explore the world of gender diversity, including the growing list of terms, labels, and concepts that are common among gender diverse youth. Forces of marginalization, suppression, and shame will be discussed as pathways by which health risks arise. However, the workshop will also review pathways to resiliency, including the ways that parents and families can build an affirming and nurturing environment at home. Common principles that guide gender affirming mental health care will be introduced and resources available for gender diverse youth and their families in the state of Rhode Island will be reviewed.

Speaker

Jason Rafferty, MD, MPH, EdM will present this workshop.

Program Overview

This workshop will focus on answering common questions parents and families have including:

  • Is the recognition of gender diversity a new thing in society?
  • Is gender diversity a “disorder"?
  • Why are there so many terms and labels?
  • Do transgender people consider themselves “gay” or bisexual?
  • How should you refer to a person who is gender diverse?
  • Can young children really know if they are transgender?
  • If someone is transgender, does that mean they have a mental health problem?
  • How can families be supported when a child comes out?
  • Are poor outcomes inevitable?
  • What is Gender affirmative care (GAC)?
  • Is there evidence to support GAC in children and adolescents?
  • What resources are available in RI to support gender diverse youth and their families?

Learning Objectives

At the end of this workshop, attendees should be able to:

  • Name three psychosocial factors that lead to complications with gender development in gender
    diverse youth.
  • Provide two evidence-based recommendations for parents whose children are gender diverse. 
  • Provide three resources in Rhode Island for parents trying to navigate gender care in Rhode Island.

Registration

This event will take place on Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants a few days prior to the event.

Registration is $10 for those seeking continuing education credits and free for those who are not. Registration ends on Monday, November 2, 2021.

For additional information or questions please email Marlaydis Torres at [email protected].

Register online now

Approval has been sought to award continuing education credits for social workers, early child care providers, and mental health professionals.

Location Information

Online event