Monthly Training: LGBTQ Speaker Panel – Diversity & Emerging Issues in the LGBTQ Community

Four panel speakers, all members of the LGBTQ community in northern California, will speak individually to the dynamics of race and health disparities in the LGB community, non-binary and non-conforming gender identities, what therapists need to know about trans rights, and the status of mental health access to LGBTQ community members. The second hour of the presentation will consist of a question and answer format.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the dynamics of race, racism issues, and health disparities in the LGB community
• Increase awareness of non-binary and non-conforming gender identities and associated issues
• What therapists need to understand about trans rights
• The status of mental health access for members of the LGBTQ community

Presenter Bios:
Reggie Caldwell, MSW, LCSW is a clinical social worker with more than 20 years experience in local and state public health. He is a policy and program coordinator for the California Department of Public Health where he develops and implements health policy targeting racial and ethnic health disparities. He is also a psychotherapist for individuals and couples.

Gem Embrey (he, him, his/they, them, theirs) is a trans masculine gender non-conforming FTM predominantly fem attracted pansexual. He currently works in the Pride Center at Sac State as the Academic Engagement Assistant where he is a graduating senior in psychology. His work and study are predominantly focused on creating more inclusive environments, LGBTQIAA* issues and experiences, and gender equality.

Rachael Hudson was on the planning board for the Gender Health Center in Sacramento and was named Operations Manager, the only full-time employee, when GHC opened its doors in July 2010 and is now the Outreach Director. Rachael is a trans  woman living in Sacramento and became a board member of the Sacramento Gender Association in 2004. In 2007, she co-founded TransFamilies Sacramento and SOFFA-T support groups. She now facilitates both TransFamilies, which meets with PFLAG, and the TransFem support meeting.

Arden Tucker is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern currently working at Life Practice Counseling Group. She has been in counseling for over 20 years with various agencies and has been a consumer mental health advocate in the Sacramento mental health community for 12 years. Among the many committees and collaboratives she serves on, inclusion of culturally sensitive service delivery to the LGBTQ community is at the forefront of concerns that Arden voices in all her involvement.