In this engaging conversation with Dr. Shanéa Thomas, a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in education, the discussion revolves around the question of whether we are doing enough to promote inclusion in schools.
Dr. Thomas shares her personal journey and professional growth, highlighting the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the rigid binary framework of educational settings.
The conversation goes beyond identifying the problems and explores potential solutions. Dr. Thomas encourages us to challenge our preconceived notions and emphasises the importance of continuously updating our knowledge about sex and gender. She suggests using platforms like TikTok as a resource for education.
Dr. Thomas underscores that training and open discussions about sex and gender benefit everyone and calls for greater recognition of trans and queer individuals in our communities.

About this Episodes Guest: Dr Shanéa Thomas

Dr. Shanéa Thomas, LICSW (He/She/Dr.) is a bold lecturer and seasoned scholar-practitioner with more than 18 years of professional social work experience in the Washington D.C. metro area. His organization, Thomas Consulting and Therapeutic Services, main commitment is training and strategising with social workers, educators, and service providers around building safer therapeutic and educational spaces for all people.
This is especially for those working in communities that are underserved and under-resourced, and those identifying as Black, Indigenous, people of color, and LGBTQ+ folks. Dr. Thomas has facilitated over 80 workshops centring on DEI needs, grief and loss, mental health, sex and gender, and LGBTQ+ populations. When creating organisational change through strategic planning, Dr. Thomas' work unapologetically centres marginalized voices with community organisations and healthcare institutions to help shift power, privilege, and organisational accountability.

Dr. Thomas ended his 10-year position at the University of Southern California School of Social Work as a Senior Lecturer in 2022 to further the commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity through the University of Maryland School of Public Health as their new LGBTQ+ Training Specialist and Assistant Research Professor. Dr. Thomas is currently curating a national training program launching in May 2023 with the use of the Prevention Research Center's evidence-based tools to build LGBTQ+ competency in practice amongst mental health professionals.