Rainbow Shield Certification

Rainbow Shield is an outgrowth of the cultural competency training led by the Military Partners and Families Coalition (MPFC). MPFC was formed in 2011 by military partners and family members who facilitated the implementation of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” as participants in the Pentagon’s Comprehensive Review Working Group. MPFC merged with Outserve-SLDN in 2017 and brought with it the Cultural Competency program, which provided direct training to inform existing military culture about LGBTQ+ families.

After Outserve-SLDN merged with AMPA in 2019 to become the Modern Military Association of America, the organization launched Rainbow Shield training which included LGBTQ+ 101 and HIV 101 for leaders, advocates, and service providers as well as trauma-informed care for LGBTQ+ and HIV+ veterans. In the preceding years, MMAA introduced inclusion and belonging in the workplace training for LGBTQ+ military and veteran employees.

Rainbow Shield provides in-person and virtual training for companies, military institutions, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and individuals seeking to increase their understanding of LGBTQ+ and HIV topics through a military and veteran lens.

Each session is approximately two hours long and led by expert facilitators over Zoom meetings or in-person settings. For groups of more than 30 participants, additional facilitators may be required. Sessions are set up to fully engage participants through discussions and case study scenarios. Where possible, the content is tailored to specific policies and current needs of an organization. Participants are requested to complete post-training evaluations.

Available Training Sessions

1. LGBTQ+ Introduction to Identity and Forms of Discrimination
   This training focuses on the continuums of identity (sexual orientation, gender identity, biological sex, gender expression), the impact of discrimination, relevant healthcare disparities, and ways to encourage a welcoming environment for all.
2. Building Inclusion and Belonging In the Workplace for LGBTQ+ Military and Veteran Employees
   This training focuses on LGBTQ+ employees’ legal rights, improving psychological safety at work, and identifying barriers and considerations when hiring and retaining LGBTQ+ military veterans as employees. You will learn how to build and maintain an organizational culture of inclusion, belonging, and trust for all of your employees.
3. Putting Affirmative Care into Practice for Military Service Providers
   This training focuses on competency guidelines for providing LGBTQ+ specialty care services, identifying barriers and considerations when caring for transgender and gender-diverse community members, and how to apply affirmative care techniques.

Why is intersectional cultural competency training important?

LGBTQ+ individuals navigate unique challenges when accessing healthcare, employment, housing, becoming parents, or integrating into their communities. These challenges are amplified when you consider intersecting factors related to military service and other personal identity traits. In 2022 and 2023, there were record numbers of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation introduced in state legislatures and proposed within federal legislative bills. More than 43% of active-duty troops live in the worst or high-risk areas for anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The chart shows how deeply impacted the military community is by this legislation and the accompanying discrimination, bullying, harassment, and physical violence that face the community.

Beyond legislation, LGBTQ+ active military members and veterans face challenges during and after military service in the workforce, when accessing healthcare, and systemic barriers that create economic insecurity.

When you consider that more than 6% of the military identify as LGBTQ+, and there are an estimated 50,000 LGBTQ+ military-affiliated youth, it’s easy to understand why education is key to cultural and policy change. LGBTQ+ cultural competency training enhances knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors for individuals working with LGBTQ+ military service members, their families, or veterans. This leads to improved interactions, better outcomes, and satisfaction by those being served.

Rainbow Shield’s objective is to provide knowledge and tools so participants can:

• Increase their knowledge about discrimination and injustice
• Use tools to better engage with members of the LGBTQ+ or HIV+ communities
• Be confident that they can stop discrimination when it’s happening in personal or professional environments
• Increase their knowledge of the legal rights or military-affiliated policy rights for LGBTQ+ or HIV+ military communities
• Help dismantle organizational or systemic barriers facing vulnerable populations

What it means to be Rainbow Shield certified

Participants receive a Rainbow Shield certificate and may share the image in their office or on their website. Participants are encouraged to join MMAA’s Rainbow Shield community where members can ask questions and learn from other’s work in their personal and professional spaces. Topics range from identifying best practices, creating trauma-informed spaces, building inclusive workplaces, and ensuring that workplace policies and procedures are inclusive and equitable. Please note that the community forum includes a set of guidelines that includes following all laws and policies necessary to protect a client’s privacy and proprietary information.