Events
Bridging Conversations – Working with LGBTQ+ Communities is a conference bringing together voices from the social service and mental healthcare sector for individuals interested in deepening your understanding and practice of working with LGBTQ+ individuals and communities.
Our goal is to create a reflective and practice-oriented space to foster an exploration of both the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ communities and the strengths, resilience, and resources within these communities.
The conference intends to be an inclusive space for reciprocal learning and knowledge exchange, and is designed to support both LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ practitioners on LGBTQ+ affirming research and practice.
Date: 30 May 2026, Sat
Time: 9am to 5pm
Venue: The Foundry (Not Proud Spaces!!)
Address: 11 Prinsep Link, Singapore 187949
Click Here to Register
About the Conference
MORNING: 9AM – 12PM
The morning half of the conference will feature short academic or practice-based paper presentations, followed by panel discussions. The paper presentations are divided into two thematic parts:
Part 1 – Stigma and Challenges Faced by LGBTQ+ Communities
- Stigma, minority stress, and trauma
- Institutional and therapeutic challenges
Part 2 – Strengths, Resilience, and Resources within LGBTQ+ Communities
- Affirming and strength-based therapeutic practices
- Community resilience and support systems
AFTERNOON: 1.30PM – 4.50PM
For the afternoon half of the conference, participants may choose between one of two programme tracks, depending on the depth of their current involvement and understanding of LGBTQ+ communities and individuals.
Option A – Let’s Get Back to Queerying! – A LGBTQ+ Human Library
In breakout groups, participants will get the chance to explore a human library of LGBTQ+ identifying individuals. These human library sessions hope to ground the morning’s learnings in the lived experiences of the LGBTQ+ community, and are designed for direct interactions with LGBTQ+ individuals in a non-clinical setting.
Each session comprises a short introduction from seven “human books”, before participants are invited to ask them questions. After 3 such sessions, there will be a reflection session to conclude, which includes a panel with the “books” that compose the human library.
Here is the lineup, with a tagline in response to the question “Who am I?”
- Human Book 1: Manhood Examined (Transman, He/Him) Age: 30s
- Human Book 2: Technically a Cyborg (Trans woman, She/Her) Age: 30s
- Human Book 3: Masc Not Man (Non-binary Lesbian, They/ He) Age: 20s
- Human Book 4: Essentially Human, Incidentally Queer (Lesbian Parent, She/Her) Age: 50s
- Human Book 5: Professional Queer, Queer Professional? (Gay Therapist, He/Him) Age: 50s
- Human Book 6: Gay Teacher, Real Education (Gay, He/Him) Age: 30s
- Human Book 7: Conversion Therapy Survivor (“Homosexual”, He/Him) Age: 40s
Option B – Process Group and Somatic Exploration/Art Workshop
The process groups and somatic exploration / art workshops are designed with queer-identified practitioners in mind. Due to the limited number of vacancies within each experience, you may not be able to get a slot in either slot. There will be community booths available that day – feel free to also use the afternoon to network with fellow practitioners and professionals!
1. Somatic Exploration (12 pax)
Using movement and writing, this is an experiential workshop exploring how our own identities as LGBTQIA+ folks show up in our work, what parts of ourselves do we bring into our sessions, what do we leave outside and in what contexts. Please dress comfortably in clothes you can move in.
Facilitator: Rosie McGowan
2. Art Workshop (12 pax)
This art-based workshop introduces story cloth as a method for exploring queer identity and mental health. Through guided making and reflection, participants will create a personal narrative textile and consider how creative processes can support witnessing, dialogue, and socially engaged care. No prior art experience is needed.
Facilitator: David Gan
3. Process Group (12 pax)
This experiential support group offers a safe and reflective space for therapists who identify as LGBTQ+ to connect, share, and engage in open dialogue about their experiences and challenges in working with the LGBTQ+ community. Through authentic peer connection and mutual support, the group aims to reduce feelings of isolation while fostering a sense of belonging. Participants will also have the opportunity to gain practical insights, shared perspectives, and strategies from one another’s clinical and personal experiences, supporting both professional growth and relational healing.
Facilitator: Ms. Sam Hui Fang
Click Here to Register
About the Programme Committee
Dr Rayner Kay Jin TAN (He/Him)
Dr Rayner Kay Jin TAN is an Assistant Professor and leads The Courage Lab at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System. He is an implementation and social scientist whose work spans areas of stigma and health, community engagement, and health equity.
He is Head of Research at The Greenhouse, a charity offering substance use recovery services, and a board member of Project X Society serving the needs of sex workers. He is also a co-lead at SG Mental Health Matters to spur public engagement in mental health policymaking.
Dr Cherie Chan (She/Her)
With a decade of experience in public and private mental health in Singapore and Australia, Dr Cherie Chan works with individuals for a range of psychological issues, specialising in trauma and attachment related wounds. She has always been passionate about education and nurturing the next generation of practitioners.
She currently holds an associate lecturer position at SUSS and is the co-director of The Nest Training Clinic, which is an LGBTQIA+ affirming and neuro-affirming non-profit organisation. Her contributions to the local psychology scene include being the immediate past president of Singapore Psychological Society, and her work with international psychology associations.
Shan Menon (He/Him)
Shan Menon is a registered Senior Social Worker with specialisations in the field of Family, Youth and Mental Health. Since 2010, Shan has been involved in work with vulnerable minority groups, especially the LGBTQ+ community. He has conducted sexuality and gender sensitivity workshops for various social and private organisations.
Shan has participated in multiple international conferences, representing Singapore as a Transgender activist. His volunteer work with The T Project began in 2017 with the development of the AWARE Trans empowerment workshop for vulnerable Transgender women. In 2019, Shan helped set up the Alicia Community Centre’s counselling support for gender diverse individuals. At PinkDot 2022, he spoke about the continued mental health issues plaguing the trans community.
Daniel Ho (He/Him)
Daniel is a clinical psychologist by training, with key interests in the fields of trauma, youth, as well as vulnerable and marginalised populations. He volunteers and supports clinical, research and consulting work relating to queer populations, substance use, HIV and sexual health related fields in other community based organisations such as The Greenhouse, Oogachaga, Transbefrienders and kayos collective, and works as a clinical psychologist in a local healthcare institution.
Clarence Singam (He/Him)
Clarence is a co-founder of Proud Spaces (a non-profit LBGTQ+ affirming community space), Oogachaga (Singapore’s most established LGBTQ+ affirming counselling charity), and the Free Community Church (Singapore’s only openly LGBTQ+ affirming church). A past president of the Singapore Psychological Society, his interests are in existential and narrative psychology, and the way they impact individuals’ and communities’ psychosocial capacity and well-being.
Conference Secretariat
Lean, or Lee Ann (they/he/she/it) is a volunteer at proud spaces. They are currently a student at The School of Positive Psychology. It reads, writes, performs, and takes care of itself full time.