Youth Workin' It

Consultancy and Resources for Youth Workers and Organizations Worldwide

An Interview With Laura Statesir – LGBT Youth Worker

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Laura Statesir LGBT Youth WorkerAs part of our series about different types of youth work, this week we have an interview with Laura Statesir who works primarily with parents of LGBT youth at The Marin Foundation.

1. What type of youth work do you do?

I am the Director of Family and Youth for The Marin Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to build bridges between the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and the Church community.

We are based out of Chicago, Illinois but we engage with religious entities, LGBT groups, churches, NGO’s, higher educational institutions and government agencies throughout the United States, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

2. What do you do in an average week?

My time is split between conducting research, advising parents and youth, and attending/hosting events.

I am the Primary Investigator for a research study called the Parent Resource Initiative. The goal of the study is to examine Christian parents’ reactions to their child’s coming out and develop new resources to help them through that process. We are still in the research phase, so I am interviewing Christian parents and LGBT individuals and transcribing interviews.

I also speak with and give advice to Christian parents and LGBT youth. I help them navigate their questions about faith and sexuality and walk alongside them in their journey.

Finally, I participate in and help host some of The Marin Foundation events such as Living in the Tension Gatherings, the I’m Sorry Campaign, speaking engagements, and consulting with groups. For example, last week we met with a group of LGBT students from a conservative Christian college and offered guidance in negotiating the politics of their school with their desire to help educate students on their campus.

I also volunteer at an overnight homeless shelter for LGBT youth called the CRIB, through The Night Ministry.

3. How long have you been doing this type of role?

I started in this particular role about a year ago, but I have been working with youth since I was a teenager.

4. What other types of youth work have you done previously?

My background is in wilderness therapy and youth ministry. Prior to my current job I spent three and a half years in wilderness therapy and adventure education and five years in international youth ministry.

5. How old are the youth of the parents you work with?

The youth are anywhere from 11 years old to 25 years old (or whatever you decide is the cutoff age for “youth”).

6. What’s unique about your particular type of youth work?

There are few organizations that stand in the middle of the culture war between the LGBT community and Christians. Instead of trying to convince people to change their minds or win a “convert for our side”, we focus on reconciliation between these two opposed communities.

When we work with youth, we do not try to fix them and we do not tell them to forget about their faith. We walk alongside of them in solidarity and help them discover a path that fits their relationship with God.

7. What are some of the good things about working with parents of LGBT youth?

Watching reconciliation in action. Seeing hearts changed and relationships restored. Walking alongside parents as they learn to love and support their children even if they don’t understand or agree with their sexuality/gender identity. Being a light in a dark place for parents who are confused, lost, angry and hurting.

8. What are some of the challenges of it?

Whenever you seek true reconciliation and inclusion, you are always going to ruffle some feathers. Because we work with both LGBT groups and Christian groups, we receive a lot of criticism.

It breaks my heart to listen to the stories of parents and/or youth who are in pain. Sometimes I feel helpless and inept. I empathize with the people I talk to and it is difficult to not carry those emotions home with me at the end of the day.

It can also be difficult to explain what I do for a living and to find enough funding for our work.

9. Why are you passionate about working with parents of LGBT youth?

I am gay and very blessed to have wonderful loving parents, but this is not the experience of all LGBT youth. Many LGBT youth, especially those with Christian parents, are not accepted by their families. They may be rejected, kicked out of their house, and/or financially cut off. The number of homeless LGBT youth and suicides of LGBT youth in the United States is disturbing. This needs to change and one of the best ways to do so is to work directly with parents.

Also, my heart aches for Christian parents who are trying to reconcile their faith and their child’s sexuality/gender identity. These parents often face shame, stigma, and judgment from their faith communities. They feel very alone and have few resources. They often feel like they will be forced to choose between their kids and their faith. This is wrong and needs to change as well.

10. What would you recommend for someone wanting to get into this type of work?

I would recommend immersing yourself in both communities: the LGBT community, specifically with LGBT youth and gay Christians as well as the conservative Christian community, specifically with parents. Volunteer at a homeless shelter for LGBT youth. Attend existing support groups (GSA, PFLAG, support groups for Christian parents, etc.).

Read about and get to know other support groups and their philosophies. Read as many resources as you can about the intersection of faith and sexuality, youth ministry, and counseling parents. Meet with professionals who are already engaged in this work.

11. Is there any special training or qualifications required?

No specific training or qualifications are required. However, I would recommend interning or training with an organization that is currently doing this type of work.

I would also recommend attending a higher educational institution or seminary with a focus in counseling, psychology, and/or youth ministry.

12. Is there anything else you’d like to share?

The polarized culture war between the LGBT community and conservatives is not going away anytime soon. Understanding how to build bridges between these two groups is the key to peaceful reconciliation and understanding in the future.

About Laura:

Laura Statesir is the Director of Family and Youth at The Marin Foundation. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 2002. Prior to joining The Marin Foundation, Laura has worked in various types of youth organizations including Diakon Youth Services, Young Life, and Costa Rica Outward Bound. She lived in Latin America for over seven years. You can connect with her via email: Laura@themarinfoundation.org

Please feel free to use the comments below if you have any questions about working with LGBT youth or their parents. If you also work with LGBT youth or their parents, we’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments too.

If you work in a different youth work field (or country), we’d love to interview you for this series, so please get in touch!

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An Interview With Gemma Dunning – An LGBT Youth Worker In The UK

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Working with LGBT youthFor the next part in our series about different types of youth work, we have an interview with Gemma Dunning who is currently working with LGBT youth in the UK.

1. What type of youth work do you do?

I am a Youth Worker in Charge for a UK based charity that supports young people under 25 years old who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) or those who are asking questions about sexuality and gender identity.

We are based on the South Coast of the UK and host different groups across the county as well as providing one to one support and educational training and support to local services such as schools and colleges.

2. What do you do in an average week?

The project aims to empower young people and raise their levels of participation, so my role is very much as a group facilitator. The young people dictate the shape and tone of the different groups and the activities we undertake, with each group having a different flavour.

This leaves me with the day to day admin and communication, as well as the supervision of volunteers and setting up of the space. The groups meet in the evening and much of my role involves hosting that night’s event, spending time with young people, providing pastoral care, engaging them in activities and undertaking harm minimisation work.

No two weeks are ever the same! Just a few weeks ago, our young people were involved in the delivery of a diversity conference attended by 14 different schools and a number of different local agencies. They were integral in planning the themes, hosting the day, delivering training workshops and engaging with other local young people to celebrate diversity. We are also already working on plans to make a real impact at our local Gay Pride event this coming summer.

3. How long have you been working with LGBT youth?

A year ago I ‘retired’ from full time Church based youth ministry due to ill health and made a decision to engage with a pre-existing LGBT charity in order to challenge myself and continue my professional development. I have always found myself in positions of pastorally supporting LGBT young people within the church and wanted to look at this issue with a new perspective.

4. What other types of youth work have you done previously?

Prior to this I was a full time Church based youth worker with the Salvation Army in the UK. This role saw me engaging with a variety of community based youth programmes as well as working as a Secondary (11 – 18 years old) School Chaplain and delivering a creative alternative education programme.

5. What age range do you work with?

The project works with young people under 25, however most of the young people we support are 14 – 21 years old.

6. What’s unique about working with LGBT youth?

It’s a safe space for young people to be open about who they are and how they are feeling without being judged. It can be hard for LGBT young people to engage with mainstream youth projects for fear of rejection and bullying. Despite the perception that society is now a tolerant and accepting place, the reality in the UK is that 96% of gay young people hear homophobic remarks at school, making the group meetings we create a safe haven for many vulnerable young people.

As for the content, people often expect us to only undertake LGBT activities. However, as with mainstream youth projects we get involved in art, games, informal education, trips, etc. but we are specific about our intentions & the membership criteria. We engage the young people in the wider LGBT community and provide a bridging service to them accessing other specific professional services.

7. What are some of the good things about LGBT youth work?

It’s a privilege to see young people grow in their sense of self worth and identity – to be part of the journey with young people discovering who they are is a complete gift. We grab hold of fun and utilise every opportunity we can to celebrate life and the successes of the young people. The ability to throw a good, safe, party is an essential job requirement!

8. What are some of the challenges of it?

Many of our young people face so many daily obstacles, it means life for them can seem like an unending losing battle. For many young people, the process of coming out is a daily battle rather than a one-off, where they have to explain themselves and face daily discrimination.

As a youth worker, it can be hard to see young people consistently hurting at the hand of others and unfortunately some of the young people attempt, and succeed, in suicide.

9. Why are you passionate about working with LGBT youth?

The statistics surrounding suicide and depression in LGBT teens are disturbing. Here in the UK, a transgender young person is 170 times more likely to attempt suicide than any other British Citizen, with 96% of students experiencing homophobic language at school where their attendance is required for 14 years.

I believe youth workers have the power to transform this – they can have a positive effect supporting young people, educating the wider community and being a positive role model. We can demonstrate what loving and caring well for others really looks like and this will impact the lives of real young people.

10. What would you recommend for someone wanting to get into this type of youth work?

Find a local project already undertaking work with LGBT youth and start volunteering. Seek every learning opportunity and be prepared to listen to the stories of others.

11. Is there any special training or qualifications required?

Be the best general youth worker you can be and then top that up with as many local professional training courses as possible! I am currently undertaking an MA in youth work with a JNC qualification, but I also have professional training in subjects such as Sexual Health, HIV/AIDS, Transgender Awareness, Challenging Difficult Behaviour, etc.

12. Is there anything else you’d like to share?

All youth workers will engage with LGBT or Questioning young people at some stage on their youth work journey. However, often we are unprepared and unaware of the needs of young people, so why not get ahead of the game!

Even if it isn’t a majority issue in your youth work now, seek out good informative resources, undertake a professional training day and ask your employer those policy questions on how your organisation supports LGBT young people. You have the power to change the lives of young people in your community, so be the change you want to see.

Gemma Dunning has been a Professional Youth & Community worker for 12 years across a wide range of settings. She has a BA in Applied Theology with Family & Community specialism and is currently at the dissertation writing stage of a Master’s in Applied Theology with Youth and Community specialism with Gloucester University, in England. Gemma has provided training for youth workers in England and the USA and is passionate about inclusion and diversity.

You can follow her on Twitter at @gemmadunning.

Please feel free to use the comments below if you have any questions about working with LGBT youth. If you’re also a youth worker with LGBT young people, we’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments too.

If you’re a youth worker and would like to take part in this series, please contact us.

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