Rainbow Talk

• Diversity enriches our community by …
• Everyone’s body is different, therefore …
• A gender stereotype I have experienced is …
• A person’s identity is made up of many things including …

These are just four of the forty cards from Rainbow Talk, a resource for opening up respectful conversations and storytelling about diversity—particularly in relation to gender, sexuality and biological sex.  Featuring a sentence starter on each card, this beautifully-designed resource encourages young people and adults to talk respectfully about the knowns and unknowns, the ups and downs—the richness—of learning about and expressing who we are. This includes reflecting on stereotypes, assumptions, language, advantage, disadvantage, social messages, human rights and the law. The cards also invite us to reflect on how our own experiences, attitudes and beliefs have been shaped, how they may have changed, and what our wishes are for the future.

As a narrative, non-prescriptive tool, Rainbow Talk does not tell people what to think. The value comes from listening and being listened to. Respect is the key, and the eight green cards or ‘openers’ are the place to begin. These are designed to help establish respectful foundations for the discussion. The booklet also gives facilitators many tips for creating safe conversations and lots of ideas for activities using the cards.  In addition, there is a ‘Reminders’ card for facilitators and a free online video with 12 pointers for supporting respectful conversations. As each card says: EVERYONE DESERVES RESPECT.

Use Rainbow Talk for LGBTIQ-inclusive practice and culture-building in:

Senior schools, groups, counselling, social work, family work, youth work, residential care, sporting clubs, youth groups, organisations, training and workshops.

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Interested in learning more about LGBTIQ-Inclusive Practice?

Visit our online learning portal, or download this flyer