Year-Round Allyship for LGBTIQA+ Patients: How to support, advocate, and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion

Developed by Richard Espinoza, Psy.D., Davina Kotulski, Ph.D.

Course content available in audio, transcripts, and video.

In this introductory course, attendees will be able to discern between effective and ineffective allyship skills. Participants will walk away with an ability to identify and apply relevant terminology and learn to challenge inequities and redirect peers, colleagues, and patients towards greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in their practices. The course consists of a two-hour video interview with Dr. E and Dr. Kotulski as they cover the LGBTQIA+ lexicon, role play conflict resolution and explore scenarios that can come up in both clinical and interpersonal settings that call for allyship. The course also explores how LGBTQIA+ persons can better receive support and advocacy from allies.

Educational Objectives

This course will teach the participant to

Identify and apply relevant terminology to the LGBTQIA+ communities
Describe challenges and inequities faced by the LGBTQIA+ communities
Develop skills to redirect peers, colleagues, and patients towards greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in their practices

Syllabus

What is an LGBTQIA+ ally and who do they support?
- LGBTQIA+ can be also be known as Gender & Sexual Minorities (GSM) in academia
- LGBTQIA+ can also be known colloquially & playfully by Generation Z as the “Alphabet Mafia”
The basics of allyship
- Learn what LGBTQIA+ is, what the community’s history holds, and current issues
- Understand that marginalized communities may use unfamiliar terminology
Intersectional allyship
- Understand implicit bias and how it may hinder allyship
- Intersectional examples
Allyship in educational settings
- Allyship for students
Allyship in the workplace
- Understand any pro or anti-LGBTQIA+ workplace laws or policies in place
- Challenge microaggressions & insults heard in the workplace
Allyship for consumers
Allyship for health professionals
- Admin Staff, educate yourself on the facilities’ pro/anti- LGBTQIA+ policies and remember the affirming power of properly gendering patients
- Strive to understand that mistakes, microaggressions, or hate may occur in the clinic
Allyship in our Communities
- Normalize allyship in everyday discussion
- Be mindful of tokenizing and stereotyping at gatherings
Allyship while loved ones are still accepting or disclosing their GSM Identity
When allyship missteps happen
Performative allyship
Allyship tips & conflict resolution
From allies to co-conspirators

YRA101_2N

March 23, 2026

Educational Objectives

This course will teach the participant to

Identify and apply relevant terminology to the LGBTQIA+ communities
Describe challenges and inequities faced by the LGBTQIA+ communities
Develop skills to redirect peers, colleagues, and patients towards greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in their practices

Syllabus

What is an LGBTQIA+ ally and who do they support?
- LGBTQIA+ can be also be known as Gender & Sexual Minorities (GSM) in academia
- LGBTQIA+ can also be known colloquially & playfully by Generation Z as the “Alphabet Mafia”
The basics of allyship
- Learn what LGBTQIA+ is, what the community’s history holds, and current issues
- Understand that marginalized communities may use unfamiliar terminology
Intersectional allyship
- Understand implicit bias and how it may hinder allyship
- Intersectional examples
Allyship in educational settings
- Allyship for students
Allyship in the workplace
- Understand any pro or anti-LGBTQIA+ workplace laws or policies in place
- Challenge microaggressions & insults heard in the workplace
Allyship for consumers
Allyship for health professionals
- Admin Staff, educate yourself on the facilities’ pro/anti- LGBTQIA+ policies and remember the affirming power of properly gendering patients
- Strive to understand that mistakes, microaggressions, or hate may occur in the clinic
Allyship in our Communities
- Normalize allyship in everyday discussion
- Be mindful of tokenizing and stereotyping at gatherings
Allyship while loved ones are still accepting or disclosing their GSM Identity
When allyship missteps happen
Performative allyship
Allyship tips & conflict resolution
From allies to co-conspirators