Training

Niagara Pride is committed to helping businesses, institutions of learning, local/state/federal agencies, and community providers, whether local in WNY or throughout the United States gain more knowledge about and be empowered to implement Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategies and techniques.

Cultural literacy or cross-cultural care (formerly referred to as cultural competency) is important both to individuals and to society.  As an individual, your cultural literacy will help you to successfully interact with people from diverse backgrounds, including the LGBTQ+ community. Cultural literacy reduces prejudice and inequality based on culture; increases the value placed on diversity; and. increases participation in the social practices of that society, including access to institutions and services.

Courses:

  • LGBTQ+ 101…SOGIE and Pronouns: This training reviews common LGBTQ+ terms so that everyone has a common vocabulary and understanding of the LGBTQ+ letters; the training also dives into topics including a better understanding of the differences between Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression; finally, the training also covers pronouns and pronoun suage. Duration: 1 hour
  • LGBTQ+ Diversity and Inclusion for Business and Organizations: This training covers topics such as the need for Diversity and Inclusion trainings, disparities in the LGBTQ+ community, workplace harassment and discrimination, and 12 best practices to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Duration: 1 hour
  • Comprehensive LGBQT+ Diversity training: this training combines our LGBTQ+ 101 and LGBTQ+ Diversity trainings into a single presentation. Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
Training Request Form

Trainers:
Ronald Piaseczny, JD, LMHC – Ronald holds BA’s in Psychology and Public Administration from the University at Buffalo (UB), a MA in Rehabilitaion Counseling (focusing on physical health, mental health, and addictions), from UB, and a Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law, focusing on civil rights and criminal law.  Ronald has extensive work experience with community-based mental health clinics and agencies throughout WNY.  Currently, Ronald serves as an EEO, Harassment Prevention, and Diversity Programs team lead for several federal regional offices around the United States.  In 2022, Ronald co-trained over 7,000 individuals nationwide.   

Rev. Susan Frawley – Sue is a minister for the Unitarian Universalist congregation in Hamburg NY.  Sue is a retired educator; having been a school counselor, administrator and professor of sociology. Sue currently works for the Center for Elder Law and Justice; previously for GLYS. She is an expert on child abuse reporting, practical applications for school law, special education advocacy, and LGBTQ+ youth and family issues; Sue brings passion and humor to her presentations. Sue’s speciality is taking complex issues and breaking them down into lay person terms with easy-to-understand examples and practical applications.  She has been a speaker for over 25 years.

Cost:
100% of funds received from our DEI trainings go back to supporting other programs provided by Niagara Pride.  Trainings cost $100 per training per organization. This will allow multiple employees of participating organizations to take part in the training, whether it’s 1 person or 100 or 1000+ people, for one fee.  

If your agency or business is interested in having Niagara Pride conduct a training for your employees, please contact us at info@niagarapride.org or at (716) 298-7656.