Can You Hear Me Now? The Power of Active Listening Skills in LGBTQ+ Conversations
Follow us on LinkedIn to see future News.
June 28, 2024
Listening is a skill and active listening is a great skill to improve upon.
Listening actively has three component parts: attention, attitude, and adjustment. These parts are particularly well suited to listening to people when speaking about LGBTQ+ issues.
Conversations often are dynamic and one can easily become a less active listener. Instead of attending to what the other person is saying, we “listen” only to find our next chance to speak.
Attention to the speaker is the first, and perhaps most critical, aspect of active listening. You can demonstrate attention by being alert and focused (put the phone away) so that you are listening for a purpose. When a person is speaking about their gender or sexual identity, take care to note their word choice and what they are willing to share with you. Not everyone is inclined to share the same amount of information, but attend to what they say.
Your attitude as a listener also is important. Coming into a conversation with the attitude of open-mindedness helps encourage a speaker to share more, and allows the listener to have the opportunity to get more information.
In conversations about LGBTQ+ issues, an open-minded attitude helps to understand perspectives on gender and sexual identity about which the listener may not have a personal experience, but from which they can learn.
Finally, cultivating a capacity for adjustment makes you an excellent active listener. Being flexible in your listening makes you more open to nuance and to the ability to hear things that may not be what you are used to. Be prepared to consider explanations about feelings, experiences, or relationships that may be new to you.
In conversations concerning LGBTQ+ issues, attention to what a person is disclosing, or not disclosing, is important. Listen without judgment, be prepared to hear about circumstances and lifestyles that may be outside your comfort zone. Active listening helps both the speaker and the listener grow.
