A Youth Leader's Guide to Building Cultural Competence 

Help young people understand that loyalty to one group does not mean disloyalty to another. 

Ethnic or racial pride does not mean rejection of other groups. Biracial teens in particular need 

help in this area.  

Recognize the power of your influence on the young people in your program and be mindful 

of biases you might have about what identities teens should assume.

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10. Support young people's sexual orientation.  

Learn about the range of issues related to teens and sexual orientation. Seek further resources 

if this topic is unfamiliar.  

Know that it is highly likely that some young people in your program identify themselves as 

gay, lesbian or bisexual. Understand that they may or may not have engaged in same gender 

sexual behavior; a lesbian, gay or bisexual orientation involves more than just sexual activity. 

Accept their self definitions. Do not assume that a young person who says he or she is gay or 

lesbian is  going through a phase.  On the other hand, understand that for some young people, 

their sexual orientation is unclear to them well into adulthood.  

Work to make your program a safe place for lesbian, gay and bisexual young people by 

ensuring that disrespectful language and comments are not allowed to pass unchallenged. 

Know what community resources exist to support lesbian, gay and bisexual youth.  

11. Engage young people in open and on going dialogues regarding stereotypes and the limits they 

impose.

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12. Seek multicultural training opportunities for yourself and continue the process of building cultural 

competence in all ways available to you.