Available Sessions:
– Let’s Talk Allyship: What is it, How to Know You’re an Ally, and Being MOGI & an Ally: October 2, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET
– Let’s Talk Let’s Talk Safety Planning for People with Diverse MOGI: Monday, November 24, 2025, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
– Let’s Talk Working with People Who Are Not Affirming: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Moderated by: Jimmy Widdifield, Jr., LPC and David Prescott, LICSW, ATSA-F
Cost: $8.00
Please Note: This session is not eligible for CE credits due to its informal conversational format.
Individuals with marginalized sexual orientations and/or sexual identities (MOGI) encounter numerous interrelated challenges, including stigma, discrimination, and violence in social, educational, and professional environments; heightened risk of mental health issues due to social isolation and abuse; barriers to accessing vital health and support services; and rejection from families or communities, often resulting in homelessness and further marginalization. These challenges are compounded by cultural misunderstandings, intersecting forms of exclusion, and gaps in societal and institutional support. Addressing them requires a collective effort to advance inclusion, equity, and community acceptance for people of all MOGI, ensuring their dignity and rights are respected and upheld.
In response to these realities, we invite those supporting MOGI-diverse individuals and members of their communities to join us for this series of professional dialogues moderated by Jimmy Widdifield, Jr., and David Prescott. Created to foster meaningful and respectful conversations, these sessions provide a space for professionals to openly explore the challenges faced by individuals with diverse MOGIE. Through shared experiences, expert insights, and practical guidance, attendees will gain strategies to strengthen advocacy, promote inclusive practices, and build effective allyship—helping to foster environments where all people can live authentically and thrive.
Each session begins with a focused exploration of a specific topic and evolves naturally into an engaging, attendee-driven conversation shaped by shared experiences and insights:
- Session 01: Let’s Talk Allyship: What is it, How to Know You’re an Ally, and Being MOGI & an Ally
Date: October 2, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET
Explore the meaning of allyship—actively supporting and advocating for people who identify as having a MOGI. Topics can include how to recognize genuine ally behavior, what it means to be considered an ally (including the idea that allyship is a practice, not just a label), and unique ways individuals who are themselves have a MOGI can show solidarity within and beyond their own communities. We’ll discuss practical guidance for building trust and fostering authentic support for all individuals with diverse MOGI. - Session 02: Let’s Talk Safety Planning for People with Diverse MOGI
Date: November 24, 2025, from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
Explore what it means to “feel unsafe”—whether physically, emotionally, or mentally—and why recognizing these feelings is a crucial first step toward self-protection. Discuss the basics of safety planning: identifying signs that you or someone you support may be in danger, developing action steps for staying safe in different environments, and understanding how to access support from trusted individuals and professional resources. Together, we can help clients and communities navigate risk, build confidence, and foster environments where everyone’s safety needs are taken seriously, empowering people to act when they sense something isn’t right.
- Session 03: Let’s Talk Working with People Who Are Not Affirming
Date: December 10, 2025, from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET
Explore what it means to be “non-affirming,” including attitudes, policies, or behaviors that do not recognize or support people’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression as valid. Reflect on common experiences with non-affirming individuals in families, work, or community spaces and discuss strategies for meaningful engagement when values or beliefs differ. Let’s learn together how to navigate challenging interactions, maintain respectful communication, and advocate for inclusive environments, while balancing empathy with a commitment to dignity and safety for people with diverse MOGI.
These sessions are more than a discussion—they are opportunities to network, build skills, exchange ideas, and contribute to shaping best practices in mental health care. Join us to connect with like-minded professionals, gain actionable insights, and contribute meaningfully to improving outcomes for both clients and providers in our communities.
To ensure that each session is workable, we will limit the number of attendees. Registration for each session will, therefore, be on a first-come-first-served basis. We are charging a non-refundable fee of $8.00 to reserve your spot.
Your personal privacy is our highest priority. These sessions will be recorded for liability purposes only. The recordings will not be shared with attendees or distributed outside of Safer Society Foundation.
Like any group discussion, everyone will have a responsibility to keep it a safe, professional, and confidential space. We will adhere to the codes of ethics of our professions, mandatory laws, and other professional standards. The Safe Haven series is intended to be supportive; not formal supervision, consultation, or legal advice.