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 PEER SUPPORT AND EDUCATION FOR LGBTIQ+ CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

One key strategy to improve the lives of LGBTIQ+ children and young people is to create safe and inclusive social spaces where they can regularly meet, make friends, learn ways to address the challenges and prejudices they face, share information and have fun.  These groups should have standards and protocols in place that protect children and reduce their risk of various harms. They should take a strengths-based approach, affirm LGBTIQ+ identities and challenge the prejudices and limitations many LGBTIQ+ people face in the social environments within which they live, learn and play.

There are multiple dimensions of safety to consider in establishing group programs for LGBTIQ+ children and young people. Many of these can be addressed through planning and policies that minimise the risk of harm to participants. Larger challenges exist in countries where LGBTIQ+ lives are criminalised, yet these may be the very places where peer support is most needed. Remember to START WHERE YOU’RE AT and develop a clear understanding of how to ensure that your participants will be safe before starting any peer group programs.

The We Are The Rainbow: Peer Support for LGBTIQ+ Children and Young People Program Development Tool has been developed to assist this work. It’s one part of We Are The Rainbow’s aim to create the best possible world for LGBTIQ+ children and young people. If you’re planning to develop peer support programs, this resource will help you to think through how to make it safe, welcoming, relevant and fun!

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Depending on the laws, cultural practices, religious beliefs and other factors in your community and country, you may not be able to establish and publicly promote an accessible peer-based social support group for LGBTIQA+ young people at this time. You can still provide support! As a service provider, an LGBTIQA+ organisation, even in schools, you can offer safe spaces, affirmation and hope to young people who otherwise might be very isolated. Of course you need to balance your actions against potential risks, and materials on this website will help you to do that.

PURPOSE OF THE TOOL

The primary purpose of this Program Development Tool is to guide the development and implementation of LGBTIQA+ youth peer support programs and activities in the We Are The Rainbow Program.  

The other important purpose of this Tool is to set standards for the implementation of LGBTIQA+ youth programs and assist groups to meet them. We recognise that LGBTIQA+ children and young people are vulnerable in multiple ways, and that our programs must be affirming, safe and inclusive, and work actively to reduce the risks that these young people face. 

HOW TO USE THE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT TOOL

This Program Development Tool is in 4 sections, and collectively they will give you the tools and templates you will need to develop your LGBTQI+ group programs.

SECTION ONE – KEY CONSIDERATIONS / GUIDELINES

These are the fundamental values to guide the development of group programs.  Read these and work with your team to consider how they will be implemented in all of your activities. 

SECTION TWO: ELEMENTS OF SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS

Section 2 offers information and ideas for ensuring that your program will be a success, and key questions for you to explore. Working through this with your team will highlight your strengths, and any areas in which you might need more information or skills. Building the “infrastructure” of a program can take some time, but is essential for building a program that is safe and appropriate, evidence-based and sustainable.

SECTION THREE: PLANNING TEMPLATES AND SAMPLES

These templates and samples will assist you to work through the elements of successful programs and plan your program and activities.

SECTION FOUR: APPENDICES

Further notes to assist you as you develop your program.

Many Coloured Sky makes the tool available to partner and collaborating organisations.