Every June, Pride Month offers a chance for celebration and equal rights activism for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. But what happens when the rainbow-themed window displays and social media filters are put away? This course contains practical advice for organizations and individuals who want to live out inclusive values and remain committed to advocacy year-round. 

1 PDU; Suggested Domain: DEI (domain of your choosing)

In honor of Pride Month, registration for these Child Life Learning Bite is free for ACLP Members from June 1 to June 30, 2023.

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Decades of oppression of the LGBTQ+ community, cultural shifts in the 1960s, and good troublemaking led to that fateful night at Stonewall. You’ll learn how the events on June 28 became a catalyst for change and a symbol for LGBTQ+ rights that evolved into today’s Pride festivals and marches. This course explores the key events and personalities in the United States that ultimately shaped a global movement.

1 PDU; Suggested Domain: DEI (domain of your choosing)

In honor of Pride Month, registration for these Child Life Learning Bite is free for ACLP Members from June 1 to June 30, 2023.

Register now

"As child life specialists, we can help advocate to adapt hospital policies to allow for the choice of mixed-gender rooms. This supports not only our own set of child life ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, justice, and nonmaleficence, but also many hospital policies that include non-discrimination statements based on gender identity. Pronoun stickers and pride flags are a great start, but they are not enough. Gender affirming care requires us to think not only of individual interactions with patients and families, but of hospital design that promotes the development and autonomy of each patient and family."

Ruthie Charendoff, CCLS
ACLP Bulletin | Spring 2023 | VOL. 41 NO. 2

Spring 2023 - Table of Contents

Recent research has discovered a commonality amongst emergency rooms throughout North America: a lack of gender-affirming care for children and youth who identify as transgender or gender nonconforming. From incorrect pronouns to inappropriate questions and actions from the medical team, pediatric emergency rooms are often emotionally unsafe. Child life specialists practicing in pediatric emergency rooms have a responsibility to enact change to provide safe spaces for this marginalized population.

*These sessions will be recorded and made available on-demand as part of the 2023 All Access Pass. The All Access Pass will be available to purchase in July 2023.

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What is the responsibility of a child life specialist when the ethical principles they are bound to uphold are in violation of the law? Since the beginning of 2021, there have been 91 state bills introduced that seek to restrict gender-affirming healthcare for youth under the age of 18. As advocates for children and youth, how do child life specialists navigate providing ethical care for patients within an uncertain legal landscape?

*These sessions will be recorded and made available on-demand as part of the 2023 All Access Pass. The All Access Pass will be available to purchase in July 2023.

Explore conference offerings

This 2021 webinar explores the role of child life when working with LGBTQ+ youth and families through a comprehensive look at the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity, mental health, and overall healthcare experiences with a focus on developmental theory, language, cultural competency, and gender affirmative healthcare. Participants will learn about tools to anticipate and identify psychosocial stressors, developmental needs, and co-occurring mental health issues and discuss the importance of connection in terms of promoting health and wellness for LGBTQ+ youth and families.

1.5 PDUs; Suggested Domain: Ethics

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"Youth who are gender diverse often face challenges both at home and in the community, but they have shown the ability to be resilient, especially when they receive social support and acceptance. Child life professionals can make a difference within this sphere by advocating for supportive healthcare environments, promoting continuing education for staff, and providing resources to patients who identify as gender diverse."

Nikki Orkoskey, MA, CCLS
ACLP Bulletin | Winter 2020 | VOL. 38 NO. 1

Winter 2020-Table of Contents

"In this exuberant board book, many different families are shown in happy activity, from an early-morning wake-up to a kiss before bed. Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what's most important in each family's life is the love the family members share."

Suggested age: 0+

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"Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body positivity should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud board book series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.

Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven board book offers clear, concrete language and beautiful imagery."
Suggested age: 2+

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Some days Ari uses she/her. Other days Ari uses he/him. But on the day of the neighborhood's big summer bash, Ari doesn't know what words to use. On the way to the party, Ari and Lior meet lots of neighbors and learn the words each of them use to describe themselves, including pronouns like she/her, he/him, they/them, ey/em, and ze/zir. As Ari tries on different pronouns, they discover that it's okay to not know your words right away."
Suggested age: 4+

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"At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own."
Suggest age: 4+

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"Funny, insightful, and colorful, Red: A Crayon's Story is about being true to your inner self and following your own path despite obstacles that may come your way. A crayon mistakenly labeled as "red" tries all different ways to be red before realizing, with the help of a friend, that they are really blue!"
Suggested age: 4+

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"This illustrated book introduces children to the story of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, the two transgender women of color who helped kickstart the Stonewall Riots and dedicated their lives to fighting for LGBTQ+ equality. It introduces children to issues surrounding gender identity and diversity, accompanied by a reading guide and teaching materials to further the conversation."
Suggested age: 4+

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"In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today's world."
Suggested age: 5+

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"When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. After he realized he was a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of life that didn't fit anymore, and he settled happily into his new life. Then Mom and Dad announce that they're going to have another baby Aidan wants to do everything he can to make things right for his new sibling from the beginning, With a little help, Aidan comes to understand that mistakes can be fixed with honesty and communication, and that he already knows the  most important thing about being a big brother: how to love with his whole self."
Suggested age: 5+

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"Author Alok Vaid-Menon challenges the world to see gender not in black and white, but in full color. Taking from their own experiences as a gender-nonconforming artist, they show us that gender is a malleable and creative form of expression."
Suggested age: 12+

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"Seventeen young adult authors across the queer spectrum have come together to create a collection of beautifully written diverse historical fiction for teens across cultures, time periods, and identities, shedding light on an area of history often ignored or forgotten."

Suggested age: 13+

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"Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. All his life, he's navigated what it means to be Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican--but never quite feeling Greek or Black enough. As he gets older, Michael's coming out is only the start of learning who he is and where he fits in. When he discovers the Drag Society, he finally finds where he belongs--and the Black Flamingo is born."

Content Warning: Homophobia and Racism

Suggested age: 14+

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"Drawing from the New York Public Library's archives, The Stonewall Reader is a collection of first accounts, diaries, periodic literature, and articles from LGBTQ magazines and newspapers that documented both the years leading up to and the years following the riots. Most importantly the anthology spotlights both iconic activists who were pivotal in the movement, such as Sylvia Rivera, as well as forgotten figures like Ernestine Eckstein, one of the few out, African American, lesbian activists in the 1960s."

Suggest age: 13+

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Inclusivity Posters

A 2020 ACLP Bulletin article by Nikki Orkoskey, MA, CCLS offers the following advice when it comes to decorating a playroom: "Playrooms and activity centers should be decorated with regard to diversity and include pictures of different types of families inclusive of diverse gender identities." These printable posters can be used to show your playroom or activity center is a safe place for LGBTQIA+ kids and families.


 






Download the vertical poster now.               Download the horizontal poster now

Pronouns Poster

This pronouns poster from the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance gives explanations, examples, and advice for learning and using pronouns- including multiple gender neutral pronouns (Ze, Sie, Zie, Hir). The poster also addresses how to ask for someone's pronouns as well as how to respond when you use the wrong pronouns. 

Purchase now.