Blog

LGBTQ+ Ally Course | DevelopU

Oct. 1, 2021

Lakeland’s DevelopU program has an opportunity for individuals to become an ally for diversity, equity and inclusion - The LGBTQ+ Ally course.

Students in the course will learn:

• A brief history of the LGBTQ+ movement in the United States.
• Current vocabulary and terms including proper pronoun usage.
• Symbols and flags to represent each member of the LGBTQ+ population.
• Statistics and percentages of suicide rates, homelessness and mental health issues.
• How to show your allyship.
• How to shift mindsets and perceptions.
• How to shape inclusive policies and procedures.

The LGBTQ+ Ally course will be held virtually for four weeks on Mondays from 6-9 p.m. starting October 4 through October 25. The course costs $220 per attendee, excluding the additional purchase of the required reading, “Inclusion Ally: ABCs of LGBTQ+” by Lisa Koenecke.

Upon completion of the 12-hour course, each participant will receive a certification as an LGBTQ+ Allyship & Inclusion.

This course will be taught by Lakeland adjunct instructor Lisa Koenecke. As an experienced and energetic diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) professional speaker and facilitator, Koenecke specializes in counteracting unconscious bias and growing LGBTQ+ inclusion in organizations. She has given a TEDx Talk and written a bestselling book.

She earned a Diversity & Inclusion certificate from Cornell University and is a Certified Diversity Practitioner through the Inclusion Institution. Being an expert and a thought leader in LGBTQ+ issues has allowed her to give presentations in 42 states and keynote numerous conferences.

Koenecke’s speaking style can best be described as dynamic, energetic and interactive. After 12 years of being a middle school counselor, she is now training the next generation of school counselors.

Learn more about the course HERE or contact Kym Leibham at leibhamk@lakeland.edu for more details.