EDGY Conference

Keilani Garcia- Headshot
Keilani Garcia
BA
Los Angeles LGBT Center - National LGBTQ Institute
Keilani Garcia
Keilani is the Youth Program Training Supervisor of the National LGBTQ+ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence. She is a Mexican and white lesbian and a lifelong resident of Southern California. Keilani received her BA in Sociology and Feminist Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Keilani uses her skills and experience as an energetic mentor, advocate, and educator for LGBTQ+ youth and the adults who care for them to develop and deliver workshops and other educational materials for professionals in the IPV field as well as survivors themselves. Prior to joining the Institute, Keilani has worked with and for the LGBTQ+ community in a multitude of roles: providing TTA for businesses, schools, and organizations; working in after-school educational and empowering programming for girls and non-binary youth; leading LGBTQ+ youth and senior peer support groups; running a mobile syringe exchange program; providing HIV/ Hep C test counseling; and more. Across all roles, Keilani’s work is always grounded in making learning approachable and accessible, building immediately applicable practical skills, and fostering pride. Outside of work, Keilani loves to play banked track roller derby, go to the beach, and cuddle with her cats: Jackie and Romeo.

SESSION OVERVIEW

Break the Ice: Talking to LGBTQ+ Youth about Unhealthy Relationships
When it comes to dating, LGBTQ+ youth often do not feel comfortable opening up to the adults in their lives. Likewise, caregivers (biological, foster/adoptive, and chosen), social workers, and other providers often feel unsure of how to broach the subject of dating. When silence, shame, and secrecy surround an LGBTQ+ youth’s relationship, this sets the stage for dating violence to occur unnoticed. This workshop was created for caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth, providers, and providers who work with caregivers, to become equipped with information, strategies, and resources to be able to break the ice and talk openly about the signs of unhealthy relationships and provide help when youth disclose experiencing harm. After attending this workshop, participants will recognize that anyone can help reduce the rates of IPV for LGBTQ+ youth and effectively support youth survivors while doing it.