Planet GAGA: Gender Affirming Games and Activities
Tracks
Conference Centre Room 1
| Monday, March 28, 2022 |
| 11:22 AM - 11:44 AM |
Overview
Mx Mez Lanigan & Rhani Dean-Talbett, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health
Speaker
Mx Rhani Dean-Talbett
Way Out Health Promotion Officer
Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health
Planet GAGA: Gender Affirming Games and Activities
Abstract
Please see Mez Lanigan
Biography
Rhani Dean-Talbett (BA/Grad Dip Health Promotion) she/her is the WayOut Health Promotion Worker at Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health. Rhani has worked in WayOut for the past 2 years and has worked more broadly in the health and community sector for the past 15 years. Rhani works directly with LGBTIQA+ young people, co-facilitating social support groups in schools and community and with LGBTIQA+ community across the lifespan in joint projects and programs with internal and external partners. Rhani also works on various advocacy projects focusing on increased inclusive and affirmative services in regional Victoria. Rhani is living and working from home on Dja Dja Wurrung country.
Mx Mez Lanigan
Senior Wayout Project Worker
Sunbury And Cobaw Community Health
Planet GAGA: Gender Affirming Games and Activities
Abstract
The WayOut program has been operating for nearly 20 years, providing services and support for LGBTIQA+ young people and their families, including delivering education and training for professionals.
WayOut’s Planet GAGA engages and connects transgender, gender diverse and non-binary (TGDNB) children of primary school age, and their parents/carers, in a safe and affirming space. Research demonstrates that a sense of belonging, pride, social inclusion and connection are protective factors for good mental health and wellbeing. Delivered by highly skilled facilitators, Planet GAGA builds pride through fun, engaging and creative activities, such as art, active play, sharing circles and games. Planet GAGA involves parents/carers by providing opportunities to network, share and learn from each other.
There is limited research relating to the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ young people of primary school age, with recent studies primarily focused on those aged 12-25. Although not included, findings from these studies can extrapolate to this younger cohort. Research consistently demonstrates that TGDNB young people experience poorer mental health than their counterparts in the general population. This is primarily due to discrimination, bullying and lack of family support.
WayOut has experienced an increasing number of inquiries relating to TGDNB young people under 12 who are too young to access existing social support programs, with questions relating to TGDNB young people transitioning to high school, connecting with others, being supported and maintaining pride in their identity. These parents/carers are seeking regular age-appropriate social support groups specifically for TGDNB young people as a protective factor for good mental health, and this is how Planet GAGA was born.
Information gathered from Planet GAGA contributes to building a rich evidence base to support this age cohort, through shared learnings in our broader LGBTIQA+ network.
WayOut’s Planet GAGA engages and connects transgender, gender diverse and non-binary (TGDNB) children of primary school age, and their parents/carers, in a safe and affirming space. Research demonstrates that a sense of belonging, pride, social inclusion and connection are protective factors for good mental health and wellbeing. Delivered by highly skilled facilitators, Planet GAGA builds pride through fun, engaging and creative activities, such as art, active play, sharing circles and games. Planet GAGA involves parents/carers by providing opportunities to network, share and learn from each other.
There is limited research relating to the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ young people of primary school age, with recent studies primarily focused on those aged 12-25. Although not included, findings from these studies can extrapolate to this younger cohort. Research consistently demonstrates that TGDNB young people experience poorer mental health than their counterparts in the general population. This is primarily due to discrimination, bullying and lack of family support.
WayOut has experienced an increasing number of inquiries relating to TGDNB young people under 12 who are too young to access existing social support programs, with questions relating to TGDNB young people transitioning to high school, connecting with others, being supported and maintaining pride in their identity. These parents/carers are seeking regular age-appropriate social support groups specifically for TGDNB young people as a protective factor for good mental health, and this is how Planet GAGA was born.
Information gathered from Planet GAGA contributes to building a rich evidence base to support this age cohort, through shared learnings in our broader LGBTIQA+ network.
Biography
Mez Lanigan (B.Ed/Dip of Counselling) she/her is the Senior WayOut project worker at Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, and has been in the role since 2012. She has worked across the community and education sector for over 30 years and is passionate about inclusion, diversity, working with young people and strengthening social connections within the LGBTIQA+ and broader community. WayOut is one of the Victorian State Government DHS Health Equal Youth (HEY) partners, which support the rights, mental health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ young people in the Macedon Ranges and neighbouring shires.
