Young people’s perceptions of a service commence with the initial contact they have with any staff member be it the receptionist, a clinician or youth worker. If an GLBTI young person receives the message—implicit or explicit—that they may be judged as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity, that young person will be less likely to access that organisation again. An initial impression of openness and acceptance of the young person can help build the foundation for deepening trust and a more positive and productive engagement with the organisation. If the young person has a sense that the organisation will accept them for who they are, they are more likely to disclose that they are GLBTI, and staff will then be better able to provide the necessary supports that will meet the young person’s needs.
Tips
- Know what to do when a young person self-discloses his or her sexual or gender identity (e.g., offer support, engage in conversation if the young person wants to, maintain their privacy and confidentiality, and identify appropriate support services and/ or resources for the young person).
- Use intake forms that include questions about a young person’s sexual orientation/gender identity in the demographic section, but do not make it a requirement that young people answer these questions.
- Ask questions in a way that avoids implicit assumptions about the sexual orientation or gender identity of young people engaging with your service (e.g., asking a young person if he or she has a partner or is sexually active with males, females or both, rather than asking them if they are sexually active in a heterosexual context only).
