Beyond ‘He’ or ‘She’: Using Nonbinary Pronouns & Getting it Right to Improve Outcomes for System Involved Youth

Kelsey Pacha

Training Description

An increasing number of Americans, including LGBTQ youth, are using gender pronouns that are not “he” or “she.” Many professionals who serve system-involved youth may experience discomfort or confusion about how to use such pronouns, like “ze/hir” or “fae/faer”, in a sentence and can unintentionally cause harm to the youth they are supporting. This training will help those who support system involved youth increase their ease, effectiveness, and confidence in using neopronouns correctly, and know what to do if they make a mistake. In this course, we will use three modalities to practice using these pronouns, via an online game, worksheets, and a roleplay. We will also review research about how correct pronoun use impacts health, well-being, & focus, as well as explore how non-English speakers are developing nonbinary pronouns in their language of origin.

Learning Objectives

1. Distinguish between neopronouns, nonbinary pronouns, and gender-neutral pronouns.

2. Identify at least five examples of nonbinary pronoun sets.

3. Acquire three different strategies (written, game, & roleplay) to use to practice using neopronouns.

Agenda 

1-2:30pm Introductions, define gender pronoun, gender-neutral pronoun, nonbinary pronoun, & neopronoun. “They/them” practice activity. Review ten examples of neopronouns and their origins. Review prevalence of pronoun use among youth. Explore nonbinary pronouns beyond English.

2:30-2:45pm  Break (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

2:45-4:20pm  Review research about impact of pronoun use on health, well-being, & focus. Practice nonbinary pronoun use in small groups—online game & worksheet. Large group discussion. Roleplay using two sets of nonbinary pronouns & debrief.

4:20-4:30pm Questions & Answers, Wrap-up

Meet Our Trainer

Kelsey Pacha, MA, M.Div. is a trans man who has worked with marginalized communities for 15+ years in a variety of settings. He holds a Master of Religion and Psychology, Master of Divinity, and Certificate of Sexuality and Religion from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Psychological Services from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He is the owner of Kelsey Pacha Consulting, which supports the work of institutions and individuals in increasing their capacity for cultural humility and social justice-informed institutional change. Kelsey offers educational trainings and LGBTQ workplace policy expertise with an emphasis on practical skills, identity awareness, and personal empowerment. He regularly works with corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion officers and LGBTQ affinity groups, as well as legal, clinical, medical, and direct service

(including child welfare and faith leader) personnel. 

This course meets the qualifications for (3.25) BBS CE Hours for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.