48 Courses

This e-learning / online course looks at: Why services need awareness The law Types of discrimination and hate crime Terminology Forms of anti-LGBT+ prejudice Impact on individuals Barriers to accessing services and reporting issues Meeting the needs of LGBT+ individuals

This workshop/seminar is designed for counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologist and art therapists working with, or planning to work with members of the LGBTQ+ community.  Participants will be able to explore and augment their cultural awareness and competency for working with LGBTQ+ clients. This workshop will provide a a safe and supportive space to learn and will include experiential exercises as well as taught elements. The workshop will be delivered by Claire Black, Gestalt Therapist/Supervisor in private practice and Counselling Coordinator at LGBT Health and Wellbeing. 

This training session includes: · Terminology/language · Gender/sexuality · Allyship · Unconscious bias  We can tailor the package to your specific organisation needs too!

Transgender Awareness and Understanding giving you a good overview of all trans issues, pronouns, workplace equality and so much more

This seminar is aimed at counselling and psychotherapy practitioners working with members of the LGBTI+ community who are presenting material and/or concerns about the use of illicit drugs, such as Methamphetamine, Mephedrone and GHB/GBL in combination with sex (Chemsex).  The seminar will provide insights into the latest research by presenting case material from a PhD project and focuses on fostering a non-stigmatising/pathologising, shame-reducing approach to clinical practice with this client group. Participants will gain an understanding of the phenomenon by examining the practice from within different therapeutic approaches.   ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Peter Hellsten is a psychodynamic (eclectic) psychotherapist in private practice at A Quiet Room and has worked extensively with members of the LGBT+ community. He is a PhD candidate and qualitative researcher at The University of Edinburgh, where he is working on a project concerning gay men’s sexual behaviour and Chemsex. 

LOOKING FOR: YA, ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Laura Williams is literary agent at the Greene and Heaton Literary Agency [http://greeneheaton.co.uk/agents/laura-williams/]. She is seeking literary fiction, commercial fiction, psychological thrillers and high concept Young Adult. Laura is actively building a fiction list and a small non-fiction list. She is currently looking for literary fiction, edgy commercial fiction, psychological thrillers and high-concept contemporary young adult, as well as narrative non-fiction of all types. Her taste is quite dark, and she loves gothic, ghost stories, horror and anything sinister. She also loves books that make her cry, from big love stories to intense family dramas. She is open to historical or horror YA, but not magical or fantasy.  Meditative or moving novels about modern life, appeal to Laura, sad stories with love and the importance of caring for each other shining through. She also loves stories about female friendships or conversely groups of women who don't get on, such as the hugely fun BAD SUMMER PEOPLE by Emma Rosenblum. She is always on the lookout for a big tragic love story to make her cry happy or sad tears.  At the more commercial end of fiction, think funny novels with warmth and romantic comedies with a bit of depth – think Marian Keyes. Most of all Laura is looking for novels she hasn’t read before – something unusual structurally or thematically, something that shines a light on a subject the author is passionate about, something that’ll break her heart or raise her blood in an entirely new way. Laura is always looking to promote diverse voices from across the globe, and is particularly keen on LGBTQI+ stories. Laura would like you to submit a covering letter, a 1-2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Laura is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk [agent121@iaminprint.co.uk] to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 10 July 2024

LOOKING FOR: YA, NEW ADULT & ADULT ROMANCE Born to two bibliophiles, Isabel Lineberry could not have grown up to be anything else. She was born and raised in the Southwest United States but always knew she wanted to move to the UK. In high school she set her sights on a job in the publishing industry and hasn’t blinked since. Isabel graduated in 2021 from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, with dual degrees in English Literature and Business Entrepreneurship. Just a few months later she was in Scotland pursuing an MLitt in Fantasy at the University of Glasgow. She wrote her Masters thesis on Tamora Pierce and is a fan of Ray Bradbury, Octavia Butler and Samantha Shannon.  At Pérez Literary & Entertainment, Isabel looks after foreign rights and audio rights inquiries, assists the Managing Director and is building her own client list of contemporary stories and fantasy, across the YA and New Adult genres and any teen / Adult fiction that features a prominent romantic plot, in any guise. Isabel is particularly interested in Contemporary Romance, Romantasy and Fantasy and is always attracted to the character and voice first, so give her romantic tension that has her giggling, a villain who is as charming as they are evil or a group of characters who have her watching their conversations as if it’s a tennis match. More specifically, Isabel is looking for: Romance –– For YA, updated Meg Cabot or John Green. Those were favorites for her as a teenager but she wants new takes––LGBT characters, diverse backgrounds, complex character development and a deep-dive into what it means to be a teenager in the current world. Give her relatability that doesn’t sacrifice a character’s unique traits. She is looking for the middle ground between the manic pixie dream girl and the buttoned-up character who just needs to take off their glasses. In New Adult, Isabel is a big fan of authors like Elle Kennedy, C. W. Farnsworth, Elsie Silver and Morgan Elizabeth. BookTok romances are the perfect escapism for readers of all ages but especially for college students and young professionals like myself. Her all-time favorite tropes are Grumpy/Sunshine, Fall First/Fall Harder and all the Spice! She is not a fan of cheating storylines, accidental pregnancy, step-sibling romance or unnecessary miscommunication tropes.  Romantasy –– Send her romance with sufficient fantasy worldbuilding. The romantic plot should be the main event but the worldbuilding needs to be able to stand up to scrutiny. The reader should accept the customs and specifics of your fantasy without too much confusion. Recent titles Isabel has loved include Fourth Wing and League of Gentleman Witches.  As for the romance, Isabel loves tropes (especially: Enemies to Lovers, Who Hurt You?), morally grey characters and kick-ass heroines. She loves training montages and dueling as foreplay. Show her spice during high-pressure situations, quick kisses stolen in battlefields, and fantastic banter. She would also love a return to the paranormal romances that dominated the 2010s. Think the 2020s twist on Twilight, Beautiful Creatures, Shiver or Vampire Academy. Isabel is most definitely on the hunt for Romantasy and paranormal romance featuring queer and underrepresented voices. Fantasy –– The worldbuilding absolutely must be believable and purposeful. Fantasy should be a mirror held up to the real world, offering a differing perspective that allows us to examine something about ourselves or our lives in a new light. Isabel has a masters degree in Fantasy from the University of Glasgow so can be a bit of a stickler when it comes to this! The magic/training/military school trope has been nearly exhausted, so be creative with the setting. Her favorite fantasy author is Tamora Pierce - she would love a “girl has to pretend to be a boy to get her knighthood” storyline that Pierce couldn’t do in the 80s such as LGBT representation (although Alanna was definitely gender fluid and Kel was 100% ace), a deeper dive into the social and political implications (no white saviorism!) and more spice. Some of her other favorite fantasy novels include Howl’s Moving Castle, Good Omens, Kindred and Golden Compass. Isabel does not want Tolkien-esque hard worldbuilding with 100k+ quests; instead focus on the pacing and how it can grab the reader. She wants a fantasy plot that compels me to keep reading even if it’s past her bedtime! She adores fairytale retellings, dark fantasy, alternate histories and historical fantasy, and the occasional steampunk/dystopia. When not working, Isabel can usually be found reading or wandering a bookstore. Some of her favorite books include The Hunger Games, Pride and Prejudice and The Mysterious Benedict Society.  Isabel would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 -2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Isabel is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk [agent121@iaminprint.co.uk] to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 16 September 2024

INTRODUCTION: Unconscious bias is a problem across all industries, and its effects are also felt in higher education institutions. In summary, it refers to a tendency to favour or discriminate against a group of people, such as women, LGBT individuals or those with a different skin colour. Given the significant consequences of unconscious bias, it is important to know how it manifests and how to overcome it. In this course, you will learn about the psychological processes underpinning unconscious bias and how we can make a conscious decision to think differently about others.   WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: * What unconscious bias is, and why we tend to be biased against or in favour of specific groups * Why unconscious bias leads to unfair treatment and discrimination in the workplace * The test we can use to measure unconscious bias and the limitations of this test * How to challenge unconscious bias and judge individuals on their merits, as opposed to unrelated personal characteristics BENEFITS OF TAKING THIS COURSE: * It will help you identify and tackle your own unconscious bias * If you are responsible for equality and diversity training in your place of work, this course will guide you in tackling an important issue in this area * If you have a general interest in psychology, this course will give you an overview of a key concept within the field of social psychology * If you work with people from a range of groups, this course will help you spot unfair treatment and bias in the workplace COURSE MODULES: * Module 01: What is Unconscious Bias and Where Does It Come From? * Module 02: The Consequences of Unconscious Bias * Module 03: Measuring Unconscious Bias * Module 04: Overcoming Unconscious Bias

DATE: Tuesday 25th June TIME: 4pm LOCATION: Studio A One of the first and most-important British LGBT+ films ever made,  My Beautiful Laundrette helped open discussion about gay identity, and is also influential in its portrayal not just of an LGBT+ couple, but of an inter-racial couple as well. Daniel Day-Lewis came storming into the world of cinema with his role as Johnny, a hardened street punk hiding his true identity. Director Stephen Frears captures the mood and vibe of Thatcher-era London, creating a time-capsule of a distant world we're unfamiliar with. Book your tickets in advance.

A workshop to reflect on important experiences in your life and to develop your autobiographical writing skills.