Building on Our Understanding of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
Tuesday, June 14, 2022 - 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion (Centre) is pleased to invite you to its Equity and Inclusion Dialogue series for the 2022-2023 academic year. Online registration is now open for this event. See the flyer for event details. Limited seating available.
View the full listing of the Centre’s 2022-2023 Equity & Inclusion Dialogue series.
Building on Our Understanding of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
Objective: To explore concepts related to gender, gender diversity, gender expression and sexual orientation
The notion of gender identity has been diversified from a male-female binary to encompassing “countless variations”. Similarly, if we take a closer look at the history of words, such as “heterosexual”, we will start to understand how the very idea of “sexual orientation” is a product of the 1800s – not as old as we may think.
This interactive workshop will encourage participants to consider gender and sexual orientation. First, by providing key human rights/EDI definitions, but encouraging participants to critique these concepts using a queer lens.
This workshop will feature a short discussion looking specifically at strategies for participants to become more 2SLGBTQ+ and transgender/non-binary inclusive.
The learning outcomes for this module are:
- Identify key terms: gender identity and sexual orientation
- Deconstruct concepts of gender identity and sexual orientation by exploring case study of Egale case and origins of heterosexuality
- Explore strategies for addressing homophobia and transphobia in the classroom and the workplace
Facilitator Bio:
Adam Benn, M.A., M.Ed.,
Adam Benn is an experienced facilitator and educator, with over ten years of experience in education and community healthcare. Adam has wide and ranging experience working with diverse populations with unique needs, including Black and Queer communities. This experience, coupled with an academic background in conflict management and adult education, has cultivated a practice that is focused on engaging with individuals to support their learning and growth, and is rooted in critical pedagogy and anti-oppression practice. Adam holds a Master of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University and a Master of Education in Adult Education and Community Development from OISE/University of Toronto.
Adam has had the privilege of working in non-profits and community health centres in a number of communities across Toronto. As a Black, Queer man, Adam brings his unique lived experience into the work. Through his work, Adam has developed a passion for leadership, broader advocacy/lobbying and education; and has had the opportunity to deliver a number of trainings/workshops to service providers and youth. Adam currently works as the Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at VHA Home Healthcare and teaches part time as a Professor in the Faculty of Community and Social Service and in Continuous Professional Learning at Humber College. Adam is also on the roster of consultants with DiversiPro, a Trainer and Motivational Speaker with Positive Gear and Certified Personal Trainer with a number of recent publications on equity.
Adam has previously worked as the Manager of Education and Training at the Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion at Humber College and as the Manager of 2SLGBTQ Community Programs at Sherbourne Health.
