Break Down the Walls: Support Healthy Sexuality for LGBTQ+ People with I/DD

Join us for two half days of training.

LGBTQ+ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have felt invisible during sexuality education classes or when someone is supporting them around the topic of sexuality. They want and need access to support and sexuality education that acknowledges and appreciates their whole selves. Speaking from personal experiences, the presenters will delve deep into issues and barriers that impact LGBTQ+ people with I/DD and focus on knowledge and supports that are affirming and liberating to the LGBTQ+ community. Topics will include human rights, dating, body image, and sexual acts.

This online training (via Zoom video conference) is designed for professionals, self-advocates, and sexuality educators to better support the LGBTQ+ people with I/DD they work with, care about, or teach, either in a one-on-one or class setting.

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

• Reflect on the stories of LGBTQ+ individuals with I/DD to better offer support.
• Explain LGBTQ+ terms and concepts in accessible language.
• Provide sexuality education that supports relationships and sexual health for LGBTQ+ individuals with I/DD (including dating while LGBTQ+, gender transition, and sex, non-heterosexual sex, etc.).
• Answer questions related to LGBTQ+ sex and sexuality.
• Respond to difficult situations to support the rights of LGBTQ+ people with I/DD.

This training will take place over two days: Tuesday, November 4, and Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern time on both days.

This training WILL sell out quickly; there are only 25 seats. Register today to secure your spot.

Tuition for this training is $225 and includes:

• PowerPoint of the presentation
• Pre and post-training resources
• Live Q&A
• Email access to the instructors

This is a live, online training session delivered using Zoom, a video conference platform. The presenters and other participants will be available to answer questions and engage in live engagement.

Access Instructions:

After you register, you will get a confirmation email with instructions on how to access the training (please check your spam, whitelist [email protected] and [email protected] if you don't get an email). You must have a stable internet connection, a webcam, and a mic on your computer to join. We strongly recommend that each attendee participate from their own computer to ensure the best use of breakout groups.

Registration Policies:

Refunds:

We offer refunds up to 15 days before the training. A $25 service charge will be assessed for processing refunds. All cancellations must be requested in writing (emails are acceptable) and must be received by October 19, 2025. No refunds will be processed after that date. All requests for refunds should state the registrant's name and payment amount. We regret that we cannot offer refunds for "no shows" at the training.

Cancellation By Us:

We reserve the right to cancel any training due to insufficient enrollment at least 30 calendar days in advance of the scheduled course date. Notice will be provided with the option to reschedule for a future course date or to receive a full refund of registration fees.

Registrant Substitution:

Substitutions for a registrant who can no longer attend can be made anytime. Please contact us and let us know who will be using the ticket.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Contact: Helaine Iris 603-399-5777 [email protected]

Workshop Presenters:

Pauline Bosma

Pauline Bosma is the founder and coordinator of the Rainbow Support Groups, a network of support groups for self-advocates who are members of both the intellectual and developmental disability community as well as the LGBTQ+ community. Pauline identifies as a transgender woman who is labeled with an intellectual disability. She has extensive experience offering training and presentations on sex education and issues related to the LGBTQ+ and disability community. Pauline works for Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong, where she continues her work with Rainbow, leads sex education webinars, works on the Awareness & Action peer-to-peer training to help people with disabilities recognize, respond to, and report abuse, and works with the Mass Rights for Change project to develop a program to support people with disabilities who have survived sexual abuse.

Oscar Hughes, PhD

Oscar Hughes, PhD started his career as a special education teacher for high school and transition-age students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where he sought to create a classroom and school environment that was inclusive to trans and gender-diverse students. He also advised the high school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), which included students with and without disabilities. Oscar has a PhD in special education from Boston University, where his research focused on supporting LGBTQ+ adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to express their gender and sexuality. He works part-time as the assistant to the Rainbow Support Groups, and as an adjunct trainer for Elevatus Training.

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