2020 Gender Odyssey

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Does your organization promote an inclusive environment? Are you sure?

Designing LGBTQ+ inclusion touches every aspect of an organization. It’s complicated and extremely nuanced.

Retention, productivity, and employee well-being depends largely on an individual’s daily experience in the workplace. Company culture, interactions with the public, marketing surveys…all opportunities to show that you genuinely “get it”. Or unintentionally blow it. No pressure.

Even the most supportive allies can unintentionally create barriers or use exclusionary terms. We’ll cover the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals; dealing with everything from erasure and microaggressions to workplace bullying.

This session covers pitfalls and best practices when cultivating inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees, clients, and consumers. We’ll talk about the power of language, meaningful representation, and disrupting old habits.

Every day transgender people experience high levels of stress and aggression simply by being who they are. This state of stress and hyper vigilance often makes them fearful of pursuing services often based on previous poor experiences with the care system. This workshop will examine the Macro, Meso, and Micro experience of the transgender individual in their pursuit of safe, informed, and supportive care from the medical, mental health, and social agencies in their community. We will examine the stressors that exist in the pursuit of care and how intentional and unintentional micro-aggressions influence the experience. For the second half of the workshop, practical, hands on training concepts will be shared with the focus on creating a trans aware office space that is welcoming and informed on multiple levels.

In this workshop we will explore ways to provide effective support, guidance, and information to Transgender client's, their families, friends and co-workers. Learn what you need to know in order to be helpful to the Transgender client as well as deepen your capacity to address gender related issues. Discover the richness and diversity within the Transgender/Nonbinary population, learn how to assist your client through their unique gender experience, and explore the root causes of shame and gender dysphoria inherent in an often non-affirming society.

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This presentation will breakdown the definitions and concepts regarding gender, including identity, expression, binary, spectrum, and go into a brief overview of some common identities that fall within the non-binary community. Gender grammar, pronouns, and the Gender Elephant will be used to apply the concepts.

There’s a high prevalence of secular clients who are exploring their gender identity and trying to reconcile their potential previous belief systems as well as the belief systems of their parents, community and the nation. Clinicians should be aware of special considerations when working with both secular and spiritual clients including religious trauma, shame and reconciliation of beliefs with a system that can be oppressive to them. Clients can come from being raised religious and can feel distanced from those beliefs which can affect transitioning and starting their transition. Clinicians should be aware of ethical considerations of clients who are both spiritual, religious and secular and be aware of their own spiritual or religious clients when working with clients who are transgender and non-binary. Thispresentation will teach and discuss working with secular and religious clients and break barriers of our bias in the therapy room.

Racial Justice and LGBTQ+ Equality are often talked about as two separate issues. But for Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) those issues are inseparable. This 90 minute workshop will challenge the common practice of interacting with POC spaces as exclusively straight and LGBTQ+ spaces as white only. Participants will engage in a discussion regarding the idea of intersectionality and will engage in a timeline exercise. The second half of the workshop will focus on the best practices for engaging in intersectionality when working towards racial justice in the workplace. This is an advanced workshop for participants who already have a commitment and base understanding of allyship in both racial justice and LGBTQ+ justice.

Informed Consent steadfastly affirms that that body autonomy is a fundamental human right, but it is far more complex than “hormones/surgery on demand”. Few know its’ roots or how truly innovative a philosophy of care it actually is.
This workshop offers a trans-positive, client-centered framework within which we as providers can conceptualize what we are already doing to support our trans and gender nonconforming clients… a model that remains true to our principles of client centered care and minimizes gatekeeping. This workshop places Informed Consent within the historical context of LGBTQ+ activism and features an in-depth examination of its’ nuances and practical applications to aid you in providing thoughtful care as well as to help you be both more compliant and more confident in your treatment of this vulnerable population.

Learn how to promote and embrace diversity through literature and primary sources that allow Trans and LGBQ+ students to accurately see themselves reflected in the curriculum (even when your district is in the beginning phases of implementation). One veteran teacher discusses pedagogical methods for infusing curriculum with LGBTQ+ affirming content into existing curricular frameworks.

Review and practice recognizing useful books that have Trans themes and useful books that don't, but can still be mined for framing Trans inclusion and discussion around broader themes of affirmation, advocacy, and empathy. every book is an opportunity!

Educators will examine texts during the workshop session and simulate “text-talks” in thinking-map form that examine broad topics. A great practice opportunity for educators to turn any text into a platform for discussion about Trans experience as well as the confluence of myriad identities.

Teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, and all education constituents welcome!

Gender dysphoria is widely understood as the persistent emotional, psychological or physical distress experienced by individual’s whose gender does not align with their sex-at-birth. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness outlines criteria that are too limited in scope. These create unrealistic expectations that medical and/or surgical intervention will result in the eradication of gender dysphoria. This workshop proposes to present gender dysphoria as an experience beyond a criteria checklist; demonstrate how dysphoria shows up across different developmental stages; and how this impacts the lives of transgender youth. Using case examples, this workshop will help attendees have an improved understanding of how gender dysphoria is impacting the developmental trajectories of these youth. We’ll explore the overlap of symptoms of gender dysphoria that often lead to diagnoses of ADHD, bipolar disorder, high functioning autism, and we’ll explore mechanisms to address gender dysphoria in transgender and non-binary individuals. Providers can improve care for youth if their understanding of gender dysphoria expands beyond the distress associated with the presence (or absence) of primary or secondary sex characteristics.

A PowerPoint presentation on basics of pre/post-operative care for providers treating transgender patients undergoing gender confirmation surgery.

This is your opportunity to hear directly from transgender-identified panelists and ask them questions. With a “what-we-want-you-to-know” approach, our goal is to provide attendees with a window into just a few trans people’s lives to highlight the multifaceted, complex paths we often travel.

This session will describe the evaluation of adolescents for possible medical interventions, such as puberty-blocking medication and cross-sex hormone treatment. Throughout this workshop, recommendations for working sensitively with transgender children and adolescents in all medical and mental health settings will be provided. Finally, recommendations for evaluating more complex cases (e.g., co-occurring mental health issues, difficult family dynamics) will be provided.

The State of Alaska represents the largest, most sporadically populated land mass in the entire country. Gender and sexually diverse individuals who reside in this state have additional obstacles to overcome than folx who do not live in Alaska. These barriers include limited specialty care, difficulty finding care that is safe in their areas, policy and insurance barriers and lack of supportive communities.

Dr. Tracey Wiese, APRN and Dr. Crystal Beal, MD had a fate-inspired meeting at Gender Odyssey in 2016. Since that time, the two professionals have developed a comprehensive care model utilizing a unique combination of in person primary and behavioral health care, tele-medicine specialty care and peer consultation from a distance. The two providers discuss the evolution of their care model, what is working, lessons learned, and future directives.

Drs. Beal and Wiese hope that those providers practicing in high risk, low service areas can learn from their lessons and triumphs and apply similar models around the country, increasing access to care to our most vulnerable community members.

After a parent’s realization that their child is transgender—but often before they have had a chance to catch their breath—the question of how to navigate schools looms large and immediate. Teachers, administrators, counselors, and even other parents may put up some resistance to taking inclusive steps, often struggling to determine the school’s role in the transition process. Principals may say, “Why should we do all this for one student?” Or they may ask a bewildered parent, “Just tell us what to do.” Faith, political, cultural and geographical differences can complicate the conversations further. We will explore the origins of this resistance and some concrete steps for navigating a successful student transition. Content discussed will include: how to field the “bathroom question”; age-appropriate ways to talk to children; proactive addressing of concerns from other parents; and other ways to framing trans issues for those within a school community.
This session will provide educators and parents with important information for navigating these barriers as they work to create an inclusive school environment for all.

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Gender Odyssey Alliance (fka Gender Diversity) has been providing support groups for parents of trans/NB children since 2008. In that time it has evolved significantly, while staying true to its core philosophy of meeting parents where they are. In this workshop we will share our key lessons for creating and maintaining safe supportive spaces for families through their journey.

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It may go without saying that a person’s gender identity exploration can be challenging. Additional variables that accompany any single person’s journey may add layers of complexity that make it difficult for providers to know what issue or area to tackle, when or even if. These variables may include multiple mental and medical health diagnoses, varying degrees of parental support, access to care and/or resources, etc. This will be a facilitated round table conversation to explore any specific cases where the course of action is unclear or complex.
Note: This session was designed for a professional audience only.

Many of us have role models for fatherhood, but few of us have learned how to be a father to a transgender or gender-diverse child. Fatherhood in our society comes with strong expectations, some of which can make it difficult for us to feel secure in our role. Come share your personal experiences, successes, fears, and other lessons in a confidential environment of acceptance, understanding, and support. You are not alone on this journey: let’s offer one another support and assistance. There are two parts to this workshop. You need not attend all sessions to be welcome.

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One thing seems universal for families who have transgender or gender-nonconforming children and that is that we have, or have had, some level of fear and apprehension for the experience(s) our children. Of course, we have concerns for our children as we offer support and raise them in a world that may not be ready for them. We invite you to come and share your thoughts and experiences—and hear the stories of others—in a safe, understanding environment. Our goal is to offer support to each other and step out of our isolation. First time and return attendees welcome—let’s do it together!
Note: This session was designed for a family audience only.

Getting coverage for surgery and puberty-suppression treatment for people under 18 can be a challenge under public and private health insurance. But the law protects transgender and nonbinary people’s right to access healthcare. It’s never too early to start learning about insurance coverage, how to apply for coverage, and what to do if you are denied. We’ll also cover the legal protections that you can employ not only to get coverage for your child, but also to change things for everyone.

What are non-binary identities and how can learning more about them increase the efficacy of our work with youth in care? What is binary thinking and how can it limit creativity and damage rapport with clients and colleagues? Built on the general understanding of identities existing on spectrums, this session will offer a conceptual framework through which professionals can begin to unlearn binary thinking in order to better serve all youth in systems of care (child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, etc.).

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Often one of the hardest parts of supporting a trans child is being rejected by family
members, the very people we expect to help us get through difficult times. In this
session, we will explore different ways we experience rejection, techniques for trying to
salvage damaged relationships, and knowing when it’s time to let go. We will also talk
about building a new “chosen family” that can provide us with the emotional
relationships we need to move forward.

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What does it mean to center Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and engage in racial justice work in trans spaces and organizations? Using Barbara Love’s Liberatory Consciousness model this session seeks to activate participants in anti-racist practice in trans spaces. Beginning with (1) Awareness, participants will be called to notice the current state of affairs for trans BIPOC, gain an (2) Analysis to understand that state of affairs and to move into (3) Action, while individuals build (4) Accountability to selves and community for the consequences of that action or inaction. Framed by intersectionality, queer of color critique, and understanding white supremacy culture in organizations, the session will use small group work, reflective activities, co-learning, and resource-sharing to support participants’ development into advocates and co-conspirators with trans BIPOC. This session should particularly benefit individuals involved in or leading trans-centered or trans-inclusive spaces and organizations (social service organizations, support groups, advocacy organizations, informal spaces, etc.) interested in reducing the impact of white supremacy on trans BIPOC.

This interactive, engaging, and experientially based workshop gives participants the framework and practice for creating their own comprehensive self-reflective practice. The presenters have developed this process over many years working with different communities and individuals to integrate personal change into their lives. As part of our own personal and professional work navigating gender identity, we have developed a framework that gently introduces ritual and practice into life. We incorporate our therapeutic experiences along with our personal learning and stories. The facilitated discussions based on the activities will be informative and energizing and leave you wanting more!

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An overview of surgical options for transgender youth. A PowerPoint discussing the unique considerations patient, family and care providers should know when planning for surgery. Issues such as physical development, surgical technique and appropriate timing of surgeries will be covered. Time permitting Q&A at the end.

This workshop covers key decision-points that patients face when planning genital gender affirmation surgery. Many available options are covered, as well as the pro's and con's of each. Workshop covers decision making for both masculinizing and feminizing genital surgery.
Examples include:

Masculinizing procedures:
Pros, cons, and alternatives to urethral lengthening
Perineal urethrostomy
Sourcing skin options (arm, thigh, tummy, or flank) to create penis

Feminizing procedures:
Create vaginal canal or not?
Where to source tissue (peritoneal or colon) for creation of vaginal canal if this is first surgery?
Laser or electrolysis for permanent hair removal?

Workshop will include Q&A and discussion.

One of the biggest challenges to offering competent care and support to transgender and gender-diverse children - and their families - is
society’s tendency to assume that a singular gender narrative exists. Academic research, professional association guidelines, media stories, and standards of care have too often been crafted from the individual experiences of too few. In this session, Gender Diversity’s ED, Aidan Key, will draw from over a decade’s worth of experience supporting children and parents through his organization’s family support program. The goal of this session is to encourage the provider to consider any individual child’s gender pathway within an ever-widening context of individuality, family, culture, and systems.

Recommendations for gender-inclusive language are widely-recognized in English-speaking settings, but what if you are communicating in a different language? What if that language does not recognize gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language? What if the language is gendered grammatically, such as Spanish or French? Based on their doctoral research, Dr. Jillane Baros shares the rationale and practical steps for identifying and using gender-inclusive language in non-English-speaking settings with attention to the nuances of identifying and selecting appropriate language. As a Spanish language teacher, Dr. Baros provides specific recommendations for language instructors.

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The latest data tells us that more trans people plan to become parents than ever before-- are you ready to support them on their journeys? From the impact of hormones on fertility to fertility preservation for trans youth, join nationally-renown trans family-building expert Trystan Reese in this session intended for providers of any type who may work with trans folks on their parenting journeys.

The cumulative effects of walking through the world as trans* or non-binary, when coupled with the reality of structural and interpersonal racism, can take a heavy toll on trans* and non-binary people of color. Currently, there are few models that offer strategies for coping with these intersecting identities. This workshop, led by a trauma psychologist who identifies as a trans-masculine, non-binary Pilipinx person, will focus on ways of thinking about multiple forms of trauma, strategies for recovery, and a self-care model for queer and trans* people of color (Miller & Estrellado, 2019). The workshop may be of particular interest to trans* and non-binary people of color, as well as to service providers and family members of trans* and non-binary people of color.

One of the most painful experiences for a transgender or gender nonconforming child is getting caught in the crossfire between two (or more) parents who cannot come to an agreement about what will be best for their child. Affirming parent(s) must navigate this conflict with care, merging the needs of their child and a legal strategy that will help ensure the court understands the child’s unique medical and mental health needs. Drawing from experience, the presenters will offer guidelines for handling parental disagreements over transition-related care while protecting their child.

This workshop teaches other therapists, social workers, licensed eligible, and other providers how to write letters of recommendation, advocating for letters for surgery. This workshop depicts areas to explore in writing the letter, preparation, time constraints, and how to help providers feel comfortable writing letters of recommendation. It also includes how to write letters for client without needing to wait 6 months or more and advocating with other providers including insurance to have insurance approval. It includes helping providers ask questions to prepare clients and exploring consent.

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When assessing the level of their child’s dysphoria and need for intervention (everything from understanding their child’s gender dysphoria to transition), parents are often told to “watch for signs of distress.” If the child is showing no signs of distress, and is allowed to dress/play/interact in a way that feels authentic, then there’s no need to intervene yet…right? What if intervening and acknowledging a child’s authentic gender is the compassionate, natural thing to do before the child enters a period of moderate to severe distress? In this workshop, we will be discussing the connection between distress/ gender dysphoria and being transgender, and how parents can evaluate how they approach the process of recognition and intervention in response to their child, with or without overt signs of distress.

Are you an educator in a middle or high school? Attend this workshop to gain a better understanding of your transgender and non-binary students and learn multiple ways to support them in the school environment. We will discuss protective Federal and California State laws, making name/gender marker changes, access to facilities, working with parents and working with other staff.

This workshop will examine different aspects of facial feminization. Dr Rodriguez will take you from the initial consultation, preparation for surgery, insurance coverage, pre and postoperative care and state of the art techniques currently used in her practice. She will share with you her experience in obtaining approval from insurance companies, the difference between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and tips on how you can successfully prepare for surgery. The presentation is directed to patients, although providers interested in the topic are welcomed.

The field of nutrition focuses on definitions of health that can be contradictory for many people. This talk will introduce a gender-spectrum informed method of exploring the space between diet culture and body positivity. We will unravel the medical paradigm of weight stigma and diet that negatively impacts gender affirmation. We will explore the brain-body connection, nourishment and body image work, to allow trans and non-binary people to individualize the concept of physical health.

So you are supportive, using name & pronouns maybe even started medical transition - now
what? Parenting a teen can be very challenging adding the transgender experience to it can
overwhelm a parent. This workshop will give parents insight into the trans/gnc teen and many
different tools to guide the youth into adulthood. We will be working to understand the unique
needs of each youth, finding common ground between youth & parents (caregivers), and
exploring communications skills to best carry our message as parents or caregivers of love and
hope for their future.

The goal of the workshop is to describe the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative considerations involved in phalloplasty. This will include an in-depth discussion on phalloplasties for transmale, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, and gender diverse individuals. The presentation will focus on pre-operative requirements, surgical options, working with adolescents, and will delve into expected post operative results, outcomes, and ways to improve the phalloplasty experience. The goal is to ensure that prospective patients and medical providers have a thorough understanding of what this complex surgical journey entails.

Voice modification is a nuanced marriage of science and art. This presentation will provide participants with foundational information about the anatomy and physiology of voice, and voice and speech science as it relates to voice modification. I will share some of the many tools that voice clinicians provide their clients in order to develop their personal sound and align their voice and communication with wherever they identify along the gender spectrum.

Many of us have role models for fatherhood, but few of us have learned how to be a father to a transgender or gender-diverse child. Fatherhood in our society comes with strong expectations, some of which can make it difficult for us to feel secure in our role. Come share your personal experiences, successes, fears, and other lessons in a confidential environment of acceptance, understanding, and support. You are not alone on this journey: let’s offer one another support and assistance. There are two parts to this workshop. You need not attend all sessions to be welcome.

As we embark on the journey of transition with our trans child, we may be focused solely on that child, but after the initial intensity, we become more aware of other family members, their needs and reactions, and the shift in family dynamics. How can we support our non-trans children throughout? How do we respect and make space for the other parent’s approach to supporting our child? How do we share information with grandparents and extended family? Join us as we explore these topics and share strategies for navigating these significant relationships in ways that honor your trans child and the rest of the family.

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Many parents struggle with the concept that transitioning is a "big decision". Instead, it might be better to begin looking at it as a natural, compassionate intervention to align your youth with their authentic self. If your youth had a medical condition, and a doctor recommended an intervention that could make their lives better, or potentially save your youth's life, would you put the decision on the youth? Would you present the options to your youth but then warn them to consider the financial implications, social implications, family implications, future implications on said intervention? Not likely! Instead of thinking of gender transition to reflect authentic gender identity as a “decision”, let’s start thinking of it as an intervention and see how the story changes. Come be empowered to take actions when it comes to your youth, in order to reduce distress and encourage authentic living!

A PowerPoint Presentation discussing current surgical techniques, a discussion of procedures, risks and complications, before and after photos with time for questions and answers.

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Most transgender/non-binary folks and their families face many roadblocks as they move through transition. This is especially true when dealing with the health care system and the often daunting insurance plans. Denials are commonplace many families don’t understand their rights. Finding the right provider can be troubling. In this session we will help participates navigate the complexes of insurance coverage and medical transition. TransFamily Support Services has assisted hundreds of families to get their insurance to cover the medically necessary treatments, we will share our tools and tricks!

After a parent’s realization that their child is transgender—but often before they have had a chance to catch their breath—the question of how to navigate schools looms large and immediate. Teachers, administrators, counselors, and even other parents may put up some resistance to taking inclusive steps, often struggling to determine the school’s role in the transition process. Principals may say, “Why should we do all this for one student?” Or they may ask a bewildered parent, “Just tell us what to do.” Faith, political, cultural and geographical differences can complicate the conversations further. We will explore the origins of this resistance and some concrete steps for navigating a successful student transition. Content discussed will include: how to field the “bathroom question”; age-appropriate ways to talk to children; proactive addressing of concerns from other parents; and other ways to framing trans issues for those within a school community.
This session will provide educators and parents with important information for navigating these barriers as they work to create an inclusive school environment for all.

Careful preparation and planning is key to obtaining the best outcome from your surgery. This session will provide a blueprint for the person who is considering, or who is scheduled for gender affirming surgery. We will review important considerations for getting ready for surgery including timing, finances and logistics, social and mental health support, and meeting surgical requirements like weight loss and hair removal. We will discuss the pros and cons regarding different options for the timing of surgery and selecting a surgery center. We will answer questions from patients and their families on pre and post-operative planning, anticipating complications, and providing support to family members during this time.

It is often a wild ride understanding your child’s gender identity journey just to get to the point of transition. But we are often surprised as parents by continuous ups and downs they may experience for years after. That could be from different levels of dysphoria, anxiety, or even severe depression. During this session, we will have an open discussion for parents to talk about emotional health issues they have seen at different ages and stages, get suggestions on how to support their kids, and to support one another.

This workshop discusses the overwhelming evidence that affirmative approaches produce happier and better adjusted individuals and making plain that "Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria", “80% Desist” "Trans Women Show No Objective Improvement" are inherently flawed and biased research, harmful to these vulnerable youth. Affirmative approaches - in which the individual’s self-reported gender is respected and where they are able to explore without judgment or predetermined outcome - demonstrate improved quality of life, self-esteem, and self-confidence, along with reductions in anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicide.

This workshop is a panel with 3 surgeons discussing experiences before and after vaginoplasty that patients are often not well informed about. The discussion handles hair removal, WPATH requirements, bowel prep, immediate and long term postoperative care including the normal healing process, complications, dilating, pelvic pain, sex and embarrassing questions we hope everyone will ask. This includes discussing anatomy and functioning and tries to give a realistic approach to healing up from vaginoplasty mentally and physically.

Our school has a bullying problem (targeting but not limited to trans/GNC students). . .so “Be an upstander!” we exclaim to our students. But they never truly understand what that means and HOW TO BE an upstander. Likewise, even when they DO know a few interventions, we are patently unrealistic [verging on outright dishonest] with them about how likely WE AS ADULTS would be to choose those same interventions if we were in their place. This workshop will help educators support students in taking a deep dive into empathy, solidarity, and action. It focuses on identity-based bullying. Likewise, it equips the student participants with a menu of prevention/intervention/post-vention options that THEY THEMSELVES brainstorm and evaluate for potential risk and effectiveness. Bystanders are empowered and transformed into agents of action--Ally Action--on behalf of ALL classmates when they need it the most.

In this workshop Susan will describe communication techniques for talking and listening to gender non-conforming children and transgender adolescents. There is a lot on these children's minds that creates an enormous amount of "gender noise" they carry around in their heads.
Some children are willing to communicate about this "noise" but many need to be invited.
This workshop will help parents and caregivers know how to invite, acknowledge, be present and listen to these very important conversations.
Susan has been teaching others and continuing to learn herself how to best communicate with
these children, their parents, and the extended families. She will also make suggestions about how to address teachers, administrators, and other parents.

The goal of the workshop is to describe the pre-op, intra-op, and post-operative considerations in vaginoplasty, facial feminization surgery, breast augmentation, and body contouring for transwomen and gender diverse individuals who seek feminization surgery. Discussions will pay particular attention to pre-operative requirements, and will delve into expected post operative results and outcomes. The goal is to ensure that prospective patients have a thorough understanding of what the surgical journey entails.

Workshop Description
Teasing is a part of the sub-culture in schools and within peer relationships. Those raising gender-expansive youth often want to protect their child from this, and prevent it from happening at all. Unfortunately this often translates to asking the child to change something about themselves. In this workshop, we will explore how to empower and support your gender-expansive child. We will be discussing specific tools parents can use to both stay connected to their children to stay informed about what is going on socially, how to build the child's ego strength, as well as how to teach their children how to respond to any teasing that may occur.

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A PowerPoint Presentation discussing current surgical techniques, a discussion of procedures, risks and complications, before and after photos with time for questions and answers. Presenter is available for a brief individual one on one visit.

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Navigating sexual health conversations as a transgender and/or nonbinary person can feel like a daunting task. Whether you're looking for medically accurate information about your body, searching for a stigma-free space to talk about trans and nonbinary bodies with trans and nonbinary people, wondering how to navigate conversations about dysphoria in relationships. This workshop is a safe, stigma-free space to obtain accurate, trans-inclusive sexual health information, engage in dialogue about dating and relationships, and engage in Q & A with a gender-affirming physician.

All parents of trans youth advocate for their children. Some will only ever advocate privately with the local school or the pediatrician’s office. If you choose to become more vocal to take a stand against anti-trans legislative initiatives, tell your story in the media, or file a discrimination lawsuit, you need strategies for your messaging and for your protection. In this workshop, we will cover different situations from writing blogs, posting on social media, giving interviews to reporters, lobbying efforts through letters and phone calls, giving testimony in front of legislators, and how to deal with any backlash you receive from being public.

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Many of us have role models for fatherhood, but few of us have learned how to be a father to a transgender or gender-diverse child. Fatherhood in our society comes with strong expectations, some of which can make it difficult for us to feel secure in our role. Come share your personal experiences, successes, fears, and other lessons in a confidential environment of acceptance, understanding, and support. You are not alone on this journey: let’s offer one another support and assistance. There are two parts to this workshop. You need not attend all sessions to be welcome.

How can I know for sure that my teenager is transgender? How should I tell my family? What should the school be doing to protect my child? How can I pursue a name and gender change? What can I expect from hormones? How soon can my young person get surgery? If you have these or any other questions about your gender-diverse or transgender youth who is 13 years old or older, please join us at the workshop, dedicated entirely to you! This workshop will be 100% interactive, and provide a space for you to ask medical and mental health professionals questions you need answered.

Our busy lives can leave us feeling isolated and disconnected, this session offers an opportunity to cultivate community and connection through sharing our stories and listening to others. As parents and family of transgender kids, we are most often providing support to them and centering their stories. But many of us know that the family transitions too, and parents deserve a place to process our feelings and experiences. During this support group session, we will co-create a space where non-judgmental sharing, connecting with other parents, and self care can happen. This will be a facilitated support group for parents and family members of transgender children. Experienced facilitators will use the GPS (Group Peer Support) model and guidelines to help create a brave space where participants can talk about and process their journey of supporting their trans family members. Participants will learn skills along the way such as non-judgmental listening, mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, and self compassion.

This interactive, engaging, and experientially based workshop gives participants the framework and practice for creating their own comprehensive self-reflective practice. The presenters have developed this process over many years working with different communities and individuals to integrate personal change into their lives. As part of our own personal and professional work navigating gender identity, we have developed a framework that gently introduces ritual and practice into life. We incorporate our therapeutic experiences along with our personal learning and stories. The facilitated discussions based on the activities will be informative and energizing and leave you wanting more!

Is a social transition the best thing for my child? How should I tell my family my child is transgender? What should the school be doing to protect my child? What are hormone blockers? If you have these or any other questions about your gender-diverse or transgender child who is 12 years old or younger, please join us at the workshop, dedicated entirely to you! This workshop will be 100% interactive, and provide a space for you to ask medical and mental health professionals questions you need answered.

This workshop will discuss the social, political, and historical context of the emergence and prevalence of nonbinary gender identities. Topics covered will include various pathways of expression and complexity of the narratives of non-gender conforming identities: medical and non medical intervention(s), social transitions, coming out(disclosure), community connections, and interpersonal relating. The workshop is aimed at creating space for folx to explore nonbinary trans identities. The facilitator will draw from existing data, clinical experience, and personal identity to invite participants into consideration of complexity and practicing self awareness.

Are you a newcomer on this journey with your gender fluid or transgender child? Perhaps you are an “old timer” happy to share your experience and hope with others. Please join us for an intimate discussion amongst all of us who are parenting trans and gender fluid children. There will be a short presentation of our story discussing the fears that we once had but no longer do. Our story will be followed by small group discussion intended for you to make connections and hopefully lasting friendships with other families at the conference. Discussion will focus on the unique rewards and challenges of this adventure, moving from fear and confusion to clarity and joy.

A Window Between Worlds (awbw.org) is a national nonprofit that views art as a catalyst to release trauma, build resilience and ignite social change. When individuals create art in a safe community they can be heard and respected - replacing violence and shame with safety and hope. The "Inside/Outside" workshop, in particular, is meant to build positive self-image, empathy, and allow participants to express emotions and heal without the use of words; which is useful in diverse communities.

Western society relies on a binary system of gender in which there were are two distinct options – male and female – each carrying discrete stereotypes and meanings. Care has been around transitioning from one to the other, but increasing numbers are identifying outside traditional gender norms. How do we understand the gender binary, heteronormativity, nontraditional genders, and the impact of the categorization of identity?

This workshop covers an overview of the history of transgender care, including binary and nonbinary gender identity and terminology, identity versus expression, and various motivations why an individual might explore nonbinary identity. Finally, it will offer a trans-positive and client-centered perspective on gender and the social forces involved in the categorization of gender.

For many parents, the realization that our child is transgender or gender diverse is accompanied by soul searching about how we and our child got to this point and some challenging questions concerning how to move forward. At a time when we may most need to turn to our faith and spiritual community for loving guidance and support, we may encounter just the opposite. What happens when the belief system we've adhered to does not seem to have an accepting space for one of God's precious creations—our trans child? Share your experience with others navigating this particular journey of heart and soul.
Note: This session is limited to people from any faith or denomination who are parenting a trans or gender-diverse child.

Talking to our kids about sex and dating is daunting enough—“the gender stuff” can add a whole new spin that may leave you overwhelmed and unsure of even where to begin. How do you talk to a trans youth about this very important topic? Where’s the manual? In this collective brainstorming session, we will explore the world of dating, bodies, and sex and how to incorporate such factors such as disclosure, self-esteem and safety into the conversation. Have you had these conversations already? What were your strategies? What came up that was expected? Unexpected? Let’s share our experiences and knowledge with each other and find answers for the questions we may still have.

Everyone has a beginning to their journey. Whether it was watching your 3-year-old son pick out the princess backpack or being completely blind-sided by your teenager who announces they want to change their name and pronouns, we all begin the never-ending hunt for useful information. What do you google? Who do you tell? How do you know what to say? This workshop will intertwine reflections of our own journeys as parents of trans kids with resources we used in the early days and continue to find invaluable. We will help you navigate online support groups (yay, Facebook!), highlight school materials to prepare you for the inevitable meeting, suggest positive role models for your child on social media, and show you where to find stories of other parents just like you. Whether it’s the beginning of your journey, or years into navigating the world with your transgender or gender questioning child, this workshop will help prioritize the most helpful resources available.

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