Our Sixth Annual Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference will be held on April 28, 2012 at the UConn Health Center in Farmington, Ct. In preparation for this conference we are announcing our CALL FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS for the conference. You can submit your workshop electronically this year by clicking the link below titled: Submit Your Proposal. This will be an online form that explains all relevant details for submission and importantly will allow you to fill out your proposal online. We encourage you to submit your proposal as soon as possible, for our firm deadline for all submissions is October 21, 2011.
We also encourage you to forward this Request for Workshop proposals to any colleagues, friends, family or distribution lists you feel would be interested in doing a workshop at the 2012 Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference.
As this conference has dramatically grown over the years, we recognize that many of you have very important topics and experience which fold into our theme of The Intersection of Health and Law. Workshop space is limited and all proposals will be reviewed for applicability and relevance to the Conference theme and audience. If you feel you have a workshop that would benefit the conference then we encourage you to submit your proposal at your earliest convenience, and most definitely before the deadline date of October 21, 2011.
If you have any issues submitting your proposal, or questions, please contact us by email at conference@transadvocacy.org.
Sincerely,
Jerimarie Liesegang
Jerimarie Liesegang, PhD, Director Ct TransAdvocacy Coalition
Member, and on behalf, of the Transgender Lives Organizing Committee
Directions
Conference is in the Academic building of the UConn Health Center. Building A on the campus map (click to view) and closest parking are Lots C, B, D and K.
Register NOW for the 2011 Transgender Lives Conference. Don’t miss our keynote speaker Hawk River Stone, M.S., LMHC, a psychotherapist, consultant, educator, keynote speaker and writer in private practice in the Albany, NY area and is himself an out, open and proud transsexual man. Full details below.
AND this year we are offering CEU accreditation’s from NASW/CT and CHES! See the full 2011 workshop lineup below.
However, to take advantage of this unique and wonderful opportunity to listen to Hawk River Stone, as well as attend the many exciting and challenging workshops you must be registered for the conference. If you have not done so yet, you do need to register ~ so don’t delay and do it today!!
Registration is now open for the 2011 Transgender Lives Conference to be held on April 30th, 2011 at the UConn Health Center, Farmington Connecticut.
To register via our new and improved online registration just click on the link above. Additionally, conference details and updates are located on our website TransgenderLives.org. Contact us at conference@transgenderlives.org if you have any questions.
2011 Transgender Lives Conference
Saturday April 30, 2011 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT
Academic Building of the UConn Health Center
263 Farmington Avenue
Academic Building
Farmington, CT 06030
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Conference Keynote Speaker:
Hawk River Stone, M.S., LMHC
Hawk River Stone
Moonhawk River Stone, M.S., LMHC is a psychotherapist, consultant, educator, keynote speaker and writer in private practice in the Albany, NY area and is himself and out, open and proud transsexual man.
In his clinical practice, Mr. Stone has specialized in working with the LGBT community (especially with transgender people of all ages and their families), with survivors of childhood trauma, & people with dissociative disorders, with people and families where one has either a traumatic brain injury or Alzheimer’s dementia for well over two decades. He has special expertise in working with young transgender children and their families and is widely known and respected for his work with young children and their families.
As an educator/trainer, he has presented hundreds of workshops and trainings at numerous conferences locally, nationally and internationally, both academic & clinical on many topics, but specializes in transgender education, especially in human resource issues, policy development and implementation, and legislation. He has presented at such institutions as Yale University, Union College, State University at Albany, State University at Binghamton, and College of St. Rose, the Federally Employed Women’s annual National Training Program and New York State United Teachers union. A gifted public speaker Stone has been a keynote speaker at such events as the 2002 Bahamian LGBT Pride celebration and IFGE conferences, Connecticut Outreach Society, Fantasia Fair, TransEvents USA 2010 and others.
He is a consultant to many agencies and businesses, such as IBM, Wyle Labs, Siemens Technologies, Inc., CSX Transportation, Inc. regarding transgender issues. Stone has done graduate work toward a Ph.D. in counseling psychology.
As a political activist, currently Stone volunteers his time with Albany Capital Region, statewide, national and international organizations.
Mr. Stone is an advocate and activist for transgender human and civil rights and works to develop transgender health care policy (for instance, participating in Healthy People 2010 and 2020 forums) and transgender employment policy. He is active in working on issues related to Gender Identity Disorder’s continuing presence in the DSM and in the areas of Aging and Disability. Over the past eight years, Stonehas taken a leadership role with other activists on a concerted effort to remove the stigmatizing and discriminatory Gender Identity Disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and is the leading voice for its removal. Stone is working in collaboration with the leading activists on transgender healthcare coverage in public and private insurance, André Wilson and Jamison Green, to make transgender healthcare fully inclusive for transgender individuals. (Click to read full bio for Hawk)
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The fifth annual Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference being held on Saturday, April 30 at the UConn Health Center from 8:00 AM till 5 PM. This all day conference is geared towards Service Providers, Medical and Legal Professionals, Trans and Gender non-conforming community, allies and all those interested in the Health and Law issues facing the Trans and gender non-conforming communities .
Following is a listing of the 2011 Workshops:
The Role of the Connecticut State Department of Education in Supporting Transgender Rights – Dr. William Howe
Anti-Transgender Hate Crimes and Sexual Assaults: Compounding Variables and Best Practices for Community/Professional Response – Michael Munson
Learn how to file a discrimination complaint at the CHRO/EEOC and HUD – Alix Simonetti, Esq.
Facial Feminization Surgery: Maximizing Results – Jeffrey Spiegel, M.D, Chief of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Boston Medical Center
Transition-Related Health Care: Is It Medically Necessary? – M. Dru Levasseur, Esq
TransLaw: Today and Tomorrow – Brynn Cullen and Yam Menon
Medical Management and Treatment of the Transgender Patient – Ilja Hulinsky, MD PhD, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Internal Medicine
Peer Support in the Trans Community: Tips and Strategies for Group Leaders – Alex Roan and Alison Ouellette
Employer views, trends and issues regarding the trans community – CABO Panel
Self-care while making a difference – Teo Drake
The Jim Collins Foundation: Why Do We Need It? – Tony Ferraiolo and M. Dru Levasseur
Sex, love, and the body – Jacqueline Larriva
No Stupid Questions! – Michelle Hansen
Activism 101: Get Involved in the Community – Tyler Goff
Working with Transgender Clients – Peter Papallo and Diana Lombardi
Coming Out Kinky – Natasha Rose Lombardi
Intersex 101 Similarities And Differences Between Intersex & Trans People – Elder A. Vickie Boisseau
Artist Talk: Transcendence – Jess Dugan
Eliminating Trans Health Insurance Exclusions: Tools for Effective Advocacy – Noah Lewis
Safely & Empowered: Getting the Sex You Want – Carole MacKenzie & Teo Drake
Safer Sexual Practices and Pleasures – Jennifer Barge
Living with a Transgender: Life through a Teenager’s Eyes
SOFFA Lounge – Sage Shelton & Asa Paradis
Holistic view on hair removal – Deb Parlato
Results and Lessons learned from Trans research study to enumerate population and HIV/AIDS risk/prevention – TRANS Research Team
Consent is Sexy: Navigating Consent in the Transgender Community – Elizabeth Halla
Connecticut State efforts around Transgender Legislation – Ct Equality
It get’s better – Kelly Woodard
Sincerely,
Transgender Lives Organizing Committee
Ct TransAdvocacy Coalition
conference@transadvocacy.org
or text us at 860 983-8139
Registration NOW for the 2011 Transgender Lives Conference. Don’t miss our keynote speaker Hawk River Stone, M.S., LMHC, a psychotherapist, consultant, educator, keynote speaker and writer in private practice in the Albany, NY area and is himself an out, open and proud transsexual man. Full details below.
AND this year we are offering CEU accreditation’s from NASW/CT and CHES! See the full 2011 workshop lineup below.
However, to take advantage of this unique and wonderful opportunity to listen to Hawk River Stone, as well as attend the many exciting and challenging workshops you must be registered for the conference. If you have not done so yet, you do need to register ~ so don’t delay and do it today!!
Registration is now open for the 2011 Transgender Lives Conference to be held on April 30th, 2011 at the UConn Health Center, Farmington Connecticut.
To register via our new and improved online registration just click on the link above. Additionally, conference details and updates are located on our website TransgenderLives.org. Contact us at conference@transgenderlives.org if you have any questions.
2011 Transgender Lives Conference
Saturday April 30, 2011 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT
Academic Building of the UConn Health Center
263 Farmington Avenue
Academic Building
Farmington, CT 06030
Registration NOW for the 2011 Transgender Lives Conference. Don’t miss our keynote speaker Hawk River Stone, M.S., LMHC, a psychotherapist, consultant, educator, keynote speaker and writer in private practice in the Albany, NY area and is himself an out, open and proud transsexual man. Full details below.
AND this year we are offering CEU accreditation’s from NASW/CT and CHES! See the full 2011 workshop lineup below.
However, to take advantage of this unique and wonderful opportunity to listen to Hawk River Stone, as well as attend the many exciting and challenging workshops you must be registered for the conference. If you have not done so yet, you do need to register ~ so don’t delay and do it today!!
Registration is now open for the 2011 Transgender Lives Conference to be held on April 30th, 2011 at the UConn Health Center, Farmington Connecticut.
To register via our new and improved online registration just click on the link above. Additionally, conference details and updates are located on our website TransgenderLives.org. Contact us at conference@transgenderlives.org if you have any questions.
2011 Transgender Lives Conference
Saturday April 30, 2011 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EDT
Registration is now open for the 2011 Transgender Lives Conference to be held on April 30th, 2011 at the UConn Health Center, Farmington Connecticut.
To register via our new and improved online registration just click on the link below to register early for our Fifth Annual Conference. All conference details and updates are located on our website TransgenderLives.org
The fifth annual Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference being held on Saturday, April 30 at the UConn Health Center from 8:00 AM till 5 PM. This all day conference is geared towards Service Providers, Medical and Legal Professionals, Trans and Gender non-conforming community, allies and all those interested in the Health and Law issues facing the Trans and gender non-conforming communities .
Following is a listing of the 2011 Workshops:
The Role of the Connecticut State Department of Education in Supporting Transgender Rights – Dr. William Howe
Anti-Transgender Hate Crimes and Sexual Assaults: Compounding Variables and Best Practices for Community/Professional Response – Michael Munson
Learn how to file a discrimination complaint at the CHRO/EEOC and HUD – Alix Simonetti, Esq.
Facial Feminization Surgery: Maximizing Results – Jeffrey Spiegel, M.D, Chief of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Boston Medical Center
Transition-Related Health Care: Is It Medically Necessary? – M. Dru Levasseur, Esq
TransLaw: Today and Tomorrow – Brynn Cullen and Yam Menon
Medical Management and Treatment of the Transgender Patient – Ilja Hulinsky, MD PhD, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Internal Medicine
Peer Support in the Trans Community: Tips and Strategies for Group Leaders – Alex Roan and Alison Ouellette
Employer views, trends and issues regarding the trans community – CABO Panel
Self-care while making a difference – Teo Drake
The Jim Collins Foundation: Why Do We Need It? – Tony Ferraiolo and M. Dru Levasseur
Sex, love, and the body – Jacqueline Larriva
No Stupid Questions! – Michelle Hansen
Activism 101: Get Involved in the Community – Tyler Goff
Working with Transgender Clients – Peter Papallo and Diana Lombardi
Coming Out Kinky – Natasha Rose Lombardi
Intersex 101 Similarities And Differences Between Intersex & Trans People – Elder A. Vickie Boisseau
Artist Talk: Transcendence – Jess Dugan
Eliminating Trans Health Insurance Exclusions: Tools for Effective Advocacy – Noah Lewis
Safely & Empowered: Getting the Sex You Want – Carole MacKenzie & Teo Drake
Safer Sexual Practices and Pleasures – Jennifer Barge
Living with a Transgender: Life through a Teenager’s Eyes
SOFFA Lounge – Sage Shelton & Asa Paradis
Holistic view on hair removal – Deb Parlato
Results and Lessons learned from Trans research study to enumerate population and HIV/AIDS risk/prevention – TRANS Research Team
Consent is Sexy: Navigating Consent in the Transgender Community – Elizabeth Halla
Connecticut State efforts around Transgender Legislation – Ct Equality
Our Fifth Annual Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference will be held on April 30, 2011 at the UConn Health Center in Farmington, Ct. In preparation for this conference we are announcing our CALL FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS for the conference. You can submit your workshop electronically this year by clicking the link below titled: Submit Proposal. This will be an online form that explains all relevant details for submission and importantly will allow you to fill out your proposal online. Additionally, there is a word document version of the form located here and pdf version located here. We encourage you to submit your proposal online, though you can also print the documents, complete the information and mail to us (address on forms).
We also encourage you to forward this Request for Workshop proposals to any colleagues, friends, family or distribution lists you feel would be interested in doing a workshop at the 2011 Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference.
As this conference has dramatically grown over the years, we recognize that many of you have very important topics and experience which fold into our theme of The Intersection of Health and Law. Workshop space is limited and all proposals will be reviewed for applicability and relevance to the Conference theme and audience. If you feel you have a workshop that would benefit the conference then we encourage you to submit your proposal at your earliest convenience, and most definitely before the deadline date of December 11, 2010.If you have any issues submitting your proposal, or questions, please contact us by email at conference@transadvocacy.org.
Click here to view a pdf of the 2010 Transgender Lives Program Book. This book contains all information relevant to the conference and a hard copy will be made available to you when you come to the registration desk on Saturday AM. The turnout and workshops for the conference this year have exceeded our expectations and we are looking forward to our best conference yet! As noted in the program book, registration is between 8 and 9 AM in the morning, so come early and enjoy the refreshments and pastries while chatting with old and new friends.
Click here for one page summary table of all workshops and a map of workshop room locations.
Click here for directions to the UCHC campus and then just follow the Conference signs to the parking.
Online registration is now closed but you can register as a walk-in day of the conference.
Transgender Legal Protections: Federal and StateJanson Wu, Esq., Staff Attorney, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (“GLAD”)
This workshop will focus on the legal protections for transgender people under Connecticut and federal law. It will discuss both the historical exclusions of transgender people under law as well as recent changes offering more hope for protection in employment, housing, education, and other areas. The workshop will also discuss the ways in which people can change government documentation to accurately reflect one’s gender identity and some limits to doing so as well. Finally, as time permits, the workshop will address family law issues for transgender people.
 Facial Feminization Surgery: Maximizing Results
Jeffrey Spiegel, M.D, Chief of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Boston Medical Center
Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel discusses the goals and methods of facial feminization surgery (FFS). The discussion includes differences in the facial anatomy of males and females, theories in gender recognition and feminization, the key changes in transforming a male face to a female face and the surgical techniques used during surgery.  Dr. Spiegel will review what procedures are available, how to maximize results, minimize risks, and how new technologies and medical advances have allowed for improving structural changes to bone allowing patients to experience a faster and more comfortable recovery.  Full forehead reconstruction with bossing to the orbital rim, mandible shaving and sliding genioplasty, rhinoplasty, cheek augmentation, upper lip reconstruction, browlift and scalp advancement are most commonly performed during these feminization procedures. Trachea shave, blepharoplasty and rhytidectomy are also regular procedures performed during the feminization surgery. Post-operative photos will be reviewed during the discussion. Dr. Spiegel will be happy to address any questions from the audience following his presentation.
 Medical Management and Treatment of the Transgender Patient
Ilja Hulinsky, MD PhD, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Internal Medicine
This workshop will first provide an introduction touching upon the (i) diagnosis, case finding and community support aspects of establishing an early diagnosis, (ii) appropriate referral patterns among community physicians and other health professionals, (iii) WPATH standards of care and (iv) recent Endocrine society guidelines for hormonal treatment of transgender patients. Secondly, this workshop will discuss the medical management of the transgender patient (i) from eligibility to readiness to medical clearance, (ii) contraindications of therapy, (iii) side effects of hormone treatment and the recent publication of data from the Belgian group in Ghent and (iv) special considerations in transgender treatment including fertility, sexual dysfunction and bone health.
Discussion Group for Transgender/Questioning YouthÂ
Christopher Argyros, UCONN School of Law and Erik Ribera
This will be a discussion group for trans/questioning youth. All topics will be possible for discussion, but may generally include school, family, coming out, activism, and transitioning. The goal will be to create a supportive space in which to share experiences, information, and ideas.
Intersex 101Â Â Similarities, and Differences with Intersex, and Trans People
 Ms. A. Vickie Boisseau AIS, Intersex Activist/Speaker
This workshop will explore the social, legal, and medical issues faced by many Intersex people, as well as the similarities, and differences between Intersex and Trans people.
Community engagement in Trans Legislation
Sally Tarmarkin, Community Organizer for the Ct Anti-Discrimination Coalition
Workshop description and formal title pending
 Take A Seat on the SOFFA Andrea Wilson, MPH, CHES, Communications Manager at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University
A SOFFA is defined as a Significant Other, Friend, Family, or Ally of a person who identifies as transsexual, transgender, or gender-variant. Our partners, friends, and family members may be questioning their gender identity, post-transition, or somewhere in between. This interactive workshop will provide a confidential space for non-trans-identified people to talk openly about their successes, challenges, fears, and delights as SOFFAs. Share your experiences and learn from others.
Taking Our Temperature: Health Care Realities for Transgender LivesM. Dru Levasseur, Esq., and Tony Ferraiolo, Co-Founders of the Jim Collins FoundationIn 2008, the APA and AMA issued resolutions stating they oppose discrimination on the basis of gender identity and support public and private health insurance coverage of transition-related care. That same year, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) issued a Clarification on Medical Necessity of Treatment, Sex Reassignment, and Insurance Coverage in the U.S. which urges “health insurance carriers and health care providers to eliminate transgender exclusions and to provide the medically prescribed sex-reassignment services necessary for [transgender people's] treatment and well-being.” This workshop will discuss the dilemma that many transgender people face in accessing competent and respectful health care on an individual basis, as well as the challenges that transgender people face on a large scale in accessing coverage of medically-necessary treatment from private and public health insurance. Presenters are the co-founders of the Jim Collins Foundation, an organization that raises money to fund gender-confirming surgeries.Bringing your employment discrimination claim, or “How things really work”Alix Simonetti, Esq, Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, Peter Goselin, Esq., Livingston, Adler, Pulda, Meiklejohn and Kelly, P.C. and Allison SilvaTransgender Discrimination – legal issues regarding protection against discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation, how to file a discrimination claim at CHRO; the CHRO complaint process. Tips to help you through the CHRO complaint investigation and other complaint processing. Exploration of Current and Future Research on Transgender Topics Haley McCarthy, MPH, CHES and Jerimarie Liesegang, PhD, Director of Ct TransAdvocacy Coalition
For this workshop, Haley McCarthy, MPH, CHES and Jerimarie Liesegang, Director of CTAC will present what research has been or is being conducted and will host an open discussion about what key research areas are still left to explore. This workshop is geared towards folks who are interested in doing research with the Transgender community or those who are interested in helping to determine topics to cover in future research
Your Transgender Team
Dianne Ellaborn, MSW, LICSW and Joanna Frost, MSW, LICSW
Diane Ellaborn, MSW, LICSW and Joanna Frost, MSW, LICSW will assemble a panel of medical, mental health, and surgical experts to provide “expert advise” along with your peers that have undergone steps in MtF and FtM transition. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and share their own experiences.
Undoing Transphobia and Sexual Assault: Targeting the Intersections
Sara Ferah
Sexual assault is the most common form of violence in society. Both men and women suffer sexual assault though it is mostly men who sexually assault. Rigid gender roles lead to sexual violence, and rigid gender roles also lead to transphobia. Preventing sexual assault and eliminating transphobia is really one battle; to loosen up gender roles and maybe even eliminate them. Join me in working to end sexual assault and transphobia.
The Boundaries of Public and Private Identities
Luke Kovacevich
This workshop is intended to not necessarily be a formal presentation, but a discussion that explores of topic of the boundaries between our public and private identities. The essential and guiding question for the presentation will be: where are the boundaries between the private and public self? Why? We all expose ourselves to various environments throughout our days and many times we must take into consideration how much we share about ourselves, about our trans identities, and how much we keep private. What are the boundaries between these two identities? Are they clear or are they blurred? There exist gray areas, areas of uncertainty that live both in the private and public realm – what factors influence how private or public the information in these gray areas? How have these gray areas changed? How have our public and private identities changed over time? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â How do we create boundaries for both of these identities?
Medical Management and Treatment of the Transgender Patient
Ilja Hulinsky, MD PhD, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Internal Medicine
This workshop will first provide an introduction touching upon the (i) diagnosis, case finding and community support aspects of establishing an early diagnosis, (ii) appropriate referral patterns among community physicians and other health professionals, (iii) WPATH standards of care and (iv) recent Endocrine society guidelines for hormonal treatment of transgender patients. Secondly, this workshop will discuss the medical management of the transgender patient (i) from eligibility to readiness to medical clearance, (ii) contraindications of therapy, (iii) side effects of hormone treatment and the recent publication of data from the Belgian group in Ghent and (iv) special considerations in transgender treatment including fertility, sexual dysfunction and bone health.
The Role of the Connecticut State Department of Education in Supporting Transgender Rights
Dr. William A. Howe, State Title IX Coordinator/Civil Rights Compliance, CT State Department of Education
This workshop will outline the role of the CSDE in protecting the rights of transgender students. Participants will learn about rights under state and federal law. The process for filing complaints and a review of the various governmental and advocacy agencies will be covered. Of particular focus will be the obligations of schools to protect all students from harassment and bullying.
Living with a Transgender: Life through a Teenager’s Eyes
TS ~ High School GSA Student
A workshop on past and present family issues, and how living with a transgender individual is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be, all through the eyes of a teenager who has been through some very difficult times and survived to tell about it herself.
Finding a Trans-affirming Provider
J. Aleah Nesteby, RN, MSN, NP, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at the High Street Clinic in Springfield, MA
“Finding a Provider” We all need health care…but how do you find the right person to take care of you? We will briefly review the different types of health care providers, clinic settings and insurance programs. We’ll also go over some specific things that TG/TS patients should look for when finding a health care provider.
Hot & Safer Sexy Sex for EveryoneTR Richardson, Trainer/Community Educator at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
During this interactive, trans inclusive session, participants will have the opportunity to learn hot and sexy methods of protecting one’s self from STIs and unintended pregnancy. Since STIs do not discriminate, it is up to us to take the necessary precautions that could save our lives. And we will learn ways to make safer sex erotic and pleasurable for everyone, not to mention learn new many ways to love and protect our own bodies accurately reflect one’s gender. What we Don’t talk about when we talk about trans-sexCarole MacKenzie, LCSW, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Michelle Hansen, Teo Yother
The clinical literature has little to say about sexuality and sex in the transgender population. While transfolks may talk about it among themselves, and the net is full of blogs, websites, suggestions and opinions, the cisgender clinical therapist has very little to go on.  This workshop includes a needs assessment, an unfortunately-brief literature review, a panel discussion, and robust conversation with the attendees. There are no stupid questions and even fewer stupid answers. Open to all who are interested in a serious dialogue on human sexuality as it relates to Trans individuals. This is intended to be an adult discussion of an admittedly hard subject in our society.
When Health Care Isn’t Caring: Examining Health Care Discrimination Against Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Communities
Zahara Raine, National Community Educator, Lambda Legal, NY, NY
In 2009 Lambda Legal conducted an unprecedented nation-wide survey on health care discrimination against LGBT and HIV-affected communities. Well over 5,000 LGBT people and people living with HIV from across the country related their experiences about accessing health care during the survey. The responses received from coast to coast yielded valuable information that can be used to advocate for health care fairness. During the winter of 2009/2010 the survey data will be released so organizations and activists can use this information to educate and influence decision-makers about our health care needs. This workshop will further explore the implications of key findings from the survey data and will continue to strategize ways to combat LGBT and HIV health care disparities and discrimination. In addition, workshop participants will explore approaches to organizing a national survey of this size, develop methods of how to use the data to further local and national advocacy, and develop a common agenda from an organizing, public policy, and educational perspective. Members from Lambda Legal’s Community Education Team will facilitate this workshop.
Male privilege for trans masculine people
justin adkins, trans activist and website developer
Trans-masculine people are often ill prepared to live socially as male. When one starts to pass one is faced with a variety of social expectations that were not part of their upbringing. How do we navigate the world of male-privilege? How do we navigate the world as feminists? I’m reminded of noblesse oblige: with great privilege comes great responsibility. What does that mean to the trans-masculine person? What is our responsibility? This is also closely tied into race and sexual orientation identities. For example, the experience is much different for straight-white-male privilege compared to gay-black-male. This workshop will be an open discussion where people will be invited to participate in a community discussion. Gender Incongruence: Update and Discussion on the DSM-5 RevisionM. Dru Levasseur, Esq., Transgender Rights Attorney for Lambda Legal
The American Psychiatric Association is currently undergoing review of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) for its fifth edition with expected publication date May 2013. As part of the development process, the preliminary draft revisions are now available for public review and comment through April 20th. This workshop will provide an overview of the proposed changes to the diagnosis, “Gender Identity Disorder,” through both a legal and political lens. This presentation will be followed by a facilitated discussion about the proposed revision giving priority to the voices of people whose lives are directly affected by this diagnosis.
Hormone Therapy: Beyond Basics
Aleah Nesteby, RN, MSN, NP, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at the High Street Clinic in Springfield, MA
“Hormone Therapy” Beyond the basics, what do you need to know about hormone therapy? This workshop will review types of hormones, typical doses, side effects and routine follow-up recommendations for both MTFs and FTMs.
Community Advocacy and Organizing
Panel of T-committee and commissioners, City of Hartford LGBT Issues Commission
Community Organizing is intended to change the balance of power between the dominant, controlling forces of society and the common, often oppressed people. Examples of famous grassroots community organizing hat changed our society include women’s suffrage and the civil rights movement. However, we are usually only exposed to the result of decades of hard work and organizing. We see pictures of the marches and women and blacks voting or going to school for the first time. The transgender community is in the process of building a movement that WILL be as big as the women’s movement and the civil rights movement. It is happening as we breathe because we are making it happen. This workshop will spell out the basics of the social science of Grass-Roots Community Organizing. It will demonstrate the application of these principles in the formation and development of the City of Hartford LGBT Commission and the T Committee. The T stands for TRUTH! Members of the T Committee and the LGBT Commission will be “tellin’ it like it tis!”
Trans Inclusive Health Care: Using Nondiscrimination Laws to Challenge Insurance Exclusions
Noah Lewis, Esq.,
Removing transgender exclusions in private health insurance is an important pathway toward removing them in publicly funded health care. This workshop is a case study of a successful effort to remove one such exclusion at a Massachusetts university. Integral to that effort was a discrimination complaint brought before a local human rights commission. We will examine how nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sex and disability can be used to challenge transgender exclusions in health insurance. We will also discuss potential pitfalls and how legal efforts fit into a broader advocacy strategy. Machismo and the Transman – Overcoming the social norms of masculinity in the discovery of our own
Oscar Alexander Robles
The idea of “passing” as one changes their gender (or moves through the spectrum of gender) can be difficult and hard to navigate. How does one acclimate to this new subgroup of individuals? How can I be a man in today’s world but not lose the privileged knowledge I gained from my female history? So many times I find myself asking these questions of myself. I want to BELONG to the society that is MAN, but I don’t want to be an asshole while I’m doing it. How do we “fit in” without outing ourselves? How can we embrace our female history, but still stay in the present tense?
Legal Challenges to Transgender Exclusions in Health Insurance
Zach Strassburger, Yale Law School
Most health insurance plans create specific exclusions for transgender-related care. Some transpeople are able to access this care through doctors’ creative billing practices, but others are unable to access this care through their health insurance plans, whether private or public. This workshop examines recent policy and litigation surrounding transgender access to health care, as well as the politics of silence in the Washington health reform debates.
More Roadblocks to Transitioning
Michelle Hansen
This workshop explores the various difficulties a person faces in transitioning their life from one gender to another. These “roadblocks” come in many forms, including family, friends, work, and even sometimes the “helping” professionals. We will identify the roadblocks and look at ways of moving beyond them.
your workshop electronically this year by clicking the link below titled: Submit Your Proposal. This will be an online form that explains all relevant details for submission and importantly will allow you to fill out your proposal online. We encourage you to submit your proposal as soon as possible, for our firm deadline for all submissions is October 21, 2011.
