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Webinar

S25-909 Beyond the Acronym: Understanding the LGBTQIA+ Community


Total Credits: 3 Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practices CEs

Categories:
200 Adults, Couples & Families |  700 Professional Growth & Development |  900 Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice |  DC Public Health Priorities
Instructor:
Sabrina Blevins
Course Levels:
Intermediate
Duration:
3 Hours 15 Minutes
Target Audience:
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists

Dates


Description

This course is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community and foster more inclusive, affirming environments in their practice or organization. Through an intersectional and justice-centered lens, participants will explore key concepts, terminology, and identities commonly associated with the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. 

Participants will gain practical tools for building authentic rapport with LGBTQIA+ individuals and examine the historical and present-day barriers faced by this community—including systemic discrimination, social stigma, and inequitable access to services. The course will also address how implicit bias, and organizational culture can unintentionally marginalize LGBTQIA+ clients, and guide learners through the process of identifying and dismantling these barriers within their own settings.   

Finally, the course will connect the dots between individual practice and broader social justice issues, equipping learners to be active allies and advocates for LGBTQIA+ equity in both professional and personal spheres. 

 

This workshop is in accordance and in compliance with the NASW standards with a focus on the principles of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence; and the standard of responsibilities to clients, to colleagues, in practice settings, as professionals, to the social work profession, and to the broader society. 

Maryland: This workshop is in compliance with the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners’ COMAR 10.42.03.06.A(5). This workshop meets the requirement for Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice for the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners (COMAR 10.42.06.03.A.(1)(d)) with a focus on cultural humility and implicit bias.   

District of Columbia: This workshop is in compliance with the District of Columbia Board of Social Work 17-70-7008.4

  • This meets the continuing education requirement for DC Public Health Priorities in the following topic: 10. Implicit bias, cultural competence and Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in health and healthcare. 
  • Alternatively, this workshop also meets the LGBTQ+ requirement. 
  • You cannot use this workshop to satisfy both requirements.   

Instructor

Sabrina Blevins Related Seminars and Products


Sabrina Blevins is a dedicated advocate for safety, equity, and community empowerment. Currently serving as the Director of Facilities, Safety & Security at Prism Health North Texas, she brings over a decade of experience in law enforcement, encompassing roles in patrol operations, narcotics investigations, as well as intimate partner violence and sexual assault investigations.  

Beyond her operational expertise, Sabrina is a passionate educator and DEI facilitator. She has led impactful sessions on LGBTQIA+ cultural agility and intimate partner violence at the regional, national and international levels, addressing critical issues within the community. Her commitment to fostering understanding and inclusivity is evident in her engagements with diverse audiences, where she emphasizes the importance of advocacy and continuous learning.  

Sabrina's holistic approach to safety and inclusion has made her a respected voice in both law enforcement and community advocacy circles. Her unwavering dedication to creating safer, more inclusive environments continues to inspire and effect meaningful change. 


Agenda & Learning Objectives

AGENDA:

11:50 – 12:00 Log on  

12:00 – 12:10: Introduction and Objectives Overview 

12:10 – 12:40: LGBTQIA+ 101: Terms and Identities (Objectives 1,6) 

12:40 – 1:10: Building Affirming Relationships (Objectives 2,6) 

1:10 – 1:45: Barriers to Access & Equity (Objective 3) 

1:45 – 2:00: 15-Minute Break 

2:00 – 2:25: Implicit Bias & Organization Culture (Objectives 4,5) 

2:25 – 2:50: Social Justice, Advocacy and Action (Objectives 7,8) 

2:50 – 3:15: Wrap Up and Q&A Session 

3:15: Adjournment 

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Define at least 10 key terms and identities commonly used within the LGBTQIA+ community. 

  • Describe at least three effective strategies for building rapport and trust with LGBTQIA+ individuals in professional settings. 

  • Identify a minimum of five systemic or social barriers commonly faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals when accessing services. 

  • Assess their own organization’s policies and practices to identify areas that may unintentionally exclude or marginalize LGBTQIA+ clients or staff. 

  • Analyze how implicit bias can influence decision-making and service delivery for LGBTQIA+ populations. 

  • Apply inclusive, affirming language and behavior in simulated or real-world client scenarios. 

  • Develop an actionable plan to address at least two barriers or gaps in their workplace related to LGBTQIA+ inclusivity. 

  • Evaluate the relationship between LGBTQIA+ equity and broader social justice movements and articulate their role in advocacy efforts. 

 

Bibliography & References

BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES

Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). Sex and gender identity. Retrieved April 16, 2025, from https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/gender-identity/sex-gender-identity 

Stonewall. (n.d.). List of LGBTQ+ terms. Retrieved April 16, 2025, from https://www.stonewall.org.uk/resources/list-lgbtq-terms 

The Trevor Project. (2024, September 25). Understanding gender identities & pronouns. The Trevor Project. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/understanding-gender-identities-and-pronouns/ 

Human Rights Campaign. (2022, May 18). Understanding neopronouns. https://www.hrc.org/resources/understanding-neopronouns 

National LGBT Health Education Center. (2016, February 17). Providing inclusive services and care for LGBT people: A guide for health care staff. https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/Providing-Inclusive-Services-and-Care-for-LGBT-People.pdf 

LGBTQIA Resource Center. (n.d.). Pronouns & inclusive language. University of California, Davis. https://lgbtqia.ucdavis.edu/educated/pronouns-inclusive-language 

Human Rights Campaign Foundation. (2024). Dismantling a culture of violence. https://reports.hrc.org/dismantling-a-culture-of-violence 

American Civil Liberties Union. (2025). Legislative attacks on LGBTQ rights in 2025: Maryland. https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights-2025?state=MD 

Human Rights Campaign. (n.d.). Attacks on gender affirming care by state map. https://www.hrc.org/resources/attacks-on-gender-affirming-care-by-state-map 

PFLAG. (n.d.). To my LGBTQ+ loved ones. https://pflag.org/find-resources/#to-my-lgbtq-loved-ones 

Course Completion & CE Information

Category I Maryland BSWE Requirement

The Office of Continuing Professional Education at the University Of Maryland School Of Social Work is authorized by the Board of Social Work Examiners in Maryland to sponsor social work continuing education programs. This workshop qualifies for 3 Category I Continuing Education Units for anti-oppressive social work practices. The Office of Continuing Professional Education is also authorized by the Maryland Board of Psychologists and the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors to sponsor Category A continuing professional education.


Please refer to the tab "Live Interactive Webinar Policies & FAQs" for UMSSW Office of CPE policies regarding all live interactive webinar related matters.

Target Audience

Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists

We welcome anyone interested in the topic!

 

Late Fees and Refunds

The base price is $70, which includes CE credit.  

Late Fee: On 7/16/25, a non-refundable late fee of $20 is added to the base price. Late fees cannot be refunded or applied to account credit.  

Cancellations: **ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.**  To be eligible for a refund or CPE account credit, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the workshop. 

For more information, please read the general policies on our website.  

 

Live Interactive Webinar Platforms

LIVE INTERACTIVE WEBINAR PLATFORMS

The Office of Continuing Professional Education hosts Live Interactive Webinars through Zoom. This platform offers a high quality and user-friendly webinar platform for our registrants.

System Requirements:

  • Operating Systems: Windows XP or higher; MacOS 9 or higher; Android 4.0 or higher.
  • Internet Browser: Google Chrome; Firefox 10.0 or higher.

Our system is not compatible with the Safari web browser.

  • Broadband Internet Connection: Cable, High-speed DSL and any other medium that is internet accessible.

**Please have your device charging at all times to ensure that your device does not lose power during the webinar.

Course Interaction Requirements:

To participate in Live Interactive Webinars, you MUST have a device that allows you to view the presentation on screen and hear the instructor at all times. We do not allow participants to call-in from their phones or mobile devices and solely listen to the presentation. Participation in Live Interactive Webinars is mandatory.

Our webinar policies can be found on our website by clicking here.

Webinar Policies & FAQs

Click The Link to View The Webinar Policies & FAQs

https://umbsswcpe.ce21.com/Page/live-interactive-webinar-procedures-policies-4129

 

 

ADA Accommodations

If you are requesting ADA accommodations, please contact our office via email at least two weeks prior to the workshop date. Requests after that date may not be fulfilled.  

Our email address is cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu.  

Evaluation

Participants will have access to the evaluation after attendance has been verified. Evaluations will be available for one (1) week after the workshop has ended.  

After one (1) week, participants will no longer have access to the evaluation and will have to contact CPE about reactivation.

Code of Conduct

The Office of Continuing Professional Education at the University of Maryland School of Social Work adheres to the NASW Code of Ethics. This policy is to ensure that the training environment for social work professionals remains respectful, productive, and conducive to learning. Disruptive behavior that interferes with the learning process, disrupts the training experience for others, or undermines the integrity of the program will not be tolerated.

 

Expectations for Participant Engagement:

In alignment with the NASW Code of Ethics and the University of Maryland Baltimore Code of Conduct, participants are expected to demonstrate professionalism, which includes respecting confidentiality, maintaining a collaborative and respectful tone, and contributing positively to the group dynamic. Disclosures made during the training (e.g., case studies or personal reflections) must be handled with care and in accordance with ethical and legal guidelines.

All participants in the training program are expected to:

  • Engage actively in the learning process and show respect for the opinions and contributions of others.
  • Demonstrate professionalism in both attitude and behavior, maintaining respect for instructors, peers, and the training environment.
  • Maintain open communication by expressing concerns or disagreements constructively and respectfully.
  • Follow the guidelines and expectations provided by instructors and facilitators.
  • Support a collaborative learning environment where all participants feel valued and safe to contribute.

 

Instructors and CPE staff reserve the right to dismiss participants who do not adhere to ethical/professional principles and standards. If removed, CEs will be adjusted to reflect the time attended, unless otherwise specified.