2020 Gender Odyssey

Aidan Key is the founder of Gender Diversity, an organization that provides education to professionals, teachers, counselors, and administrators regarding gender-inclusive schools grades K-12. Additionally, he provides support for families of transgender and gender diverse children and teens through parent support groups in Washington state. Key speaks regularly to universities and organizations seeking to expand their knowledge of issues related to gender identity in children and adults. He is also the founder of the Gender Odyssey conference.

Dr. Jen O’Ryan completed her PhD in Human Behavior, focusing on sexual orientation and gender. After 20+ years developing programs in the tech industry, Jen now works with organizations on their inclusion strategies and practices. She also coaches employees, managers, and executives to improve their LGBTQ+ cultural competency.

Jen works with parents and other caring adults as well. She provides workshops on LGBTQ+ inclusion to teachers, care providers, and other adults who frequently interact with youth. Jen also helps families navigate their child’s relationship with gender, gender identity, and attractions.

he/him

John Sovec, MA, LMFT is a nationally recognized expert on the topic of creating affirmative support for the LGBTQ+ community with his work featured on The Riki Lake Show, OWN, FOX, The Advocate, YHTV, LA Talk Radio, Broad Topics and regular columns for Huffington Post and Good Therapy. In addition, John offers trainings to organizations, schools, non-profits, and professional consultation on how to successfully support the LGBTQ+ community. John is an advocate and educator in the HIV/AIDS community and is the Clinical Consultant for The Life Group LA as well as adjunct faculty at Phillips Graduate University.

MA., AMFT

she/her/hers

Grace O’Connor, AMFT is working under the supervision of Casey Weitzman at Gender Wellness of Los Angeles. Grace has her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles, completed her training at the Colors LGBTQ Youth Counseling Center and is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Grace also works as a primary therapist/group facilitator at Core Melrose Recovery where she is able to apply her more than 20 years of 12-step recovery to helping LGBTQ+ people struggling with the disease of addiction.

she/her/hers

Casey Weitzman, LMFT is the Founder/Director of Gender Wellness of Los Angeles and has been a licensed marriage and family therapist for almost 25 years. She counsels children and adults who are exploring gender identity and/or sexual orientation issues. In addition to working one-on-one with clients, she often works with their support systems, including their partner, spouse, parents, employer or friends. Casey is an active member of WPATH (World Professional Association of Transgender Health), The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT).

Dr. Olson-Kennedy is the medical director of the Center for Transyouth Health and Development, and has been providing medical intervention, advocacy and education for transgender children, adolescents and young adults for 12 years. She also spearheads a multi-site NIH grant that is aiming to understand the impact of early intervention among transgender youth on physiologic and mental health parameters. experience of transgender individuals from early childhood through late adolescence.

Georgie Kelly (they/them) has been working in private practice almost exclusively with the trans, non-binary, and gender questioning community for over 4 years under the supervision of Darlene Tando, LCSW. They have a Master's degree in Counseling and a Bachelor's in Psychology, and they are registered as an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor in California. Georgie identifies with the non-binary community and enjoys sharing both their personal experience and professional expertise with others.

LCSW, LISW-CP, BC-TMH

She/her

Katie Leikam, LCSW in GA and LISW-CP in SC is a gender specialist in Decatur GA who is a member of WPATH and works extensively with the transgender and non- binary community. Katie has an interest in working with clients who are agnostic, atheist and non-religious, particularly when they were raised with a religious upbringing. Katie has spoken nationally at The Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference, Gender Odyssey, and USPATH. Katie teaches online CEU's through The LGBTQIA Clinician’s Learning platform and teaches continuing education classes regularly. Katie is published in multiple news outlets such as Huffington Post.

James is a Miami born, self identified transman living in the Pacific Northwest. He has over 10 years of working with the LGBTQ+ community as well as over 15 years working within Communities of Color.

LCSW-R

Laura A. Jacobs, LCSW-R is a Trans and GenderQueer psychotherapist, speaker, author, and activist in LGBTQ+ issues, also kink/BDSM, nonmonogamy, and sexwork. They are Chair of the Board for the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, serves on numerous boards, have presented in the media, at conferences, medical schools, and other organizations. Laura coauthored “You’re In The Wrong Bathroom! And 20 Other Myths and Misconceptions About Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People”. Laura is a member of the Kink Clinical Guidelines Workgroup, and were recently presented the 2019 Standard of Excellence Award by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. www.LauraAJacobs.com

Mick Rabin taught in the classroom for 21 years. Working at a Title-1 school with limited resources and under district policies of limited scope, Mick needed to get creative. Now a project resource teacher for Youth Advocacy in SD Unified (and many years with GLSEN San Diego), Mick has created and launched programming focused on bullying intervention and has facilitated numerous PDs that explore resourceful ways to promote identity exploration through a curricular lens with a priority for embracing diversity including the LGBTQIA experience and building allyship for ALL students.

MD

she/her

Dr. Olson-Kennedy is the medical director of the Center for Transyouth Health and Development, and has been providing medical intervention, advocacy and education for transgender children, adolescents and young adults for 12 years. She also spearheads a multi-site NIH grant that is aiming to understand the impact of early intervention among transgender youth on physiologic and mental health parameters. experience of transgender individuals from early childhood through late adolescence.

MD

He

Dr. Toby Meltzer – LSU Medical 1983, General Surgery residency Charity LA, Plastic Surgery residency University of Michigan, Burn fellowship Detroit Receiving Hospital, Member American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Chief/Division of Plastic Surgery VAMC, Assistant Professor Plastic Surgery, Assistant Clinical Professor OHSU, President Oregon Society Plastic Surgeons 1995-1997, Reviewer Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Journal of Sexual Medicine, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, OHSU 1990 - 1996, Private practice OR 1996 – 2003, AZ 2003-present, Privileges Honor Health, Greenbaum Specialty Hospital, Kaiser. Performing Gender Confirmation Surgery since 1990 FemaleToMale >1200, MaleToFemale >4500, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeries. Member/Lecturer/Instructor WPATH/USPATH/GEI/Founding Member ASGS.

Dr. Michele Angello offers individual, couples, group, and family therapy, as well as corporate education and training on a variety of issues. She has presented internationally on her work with transgender and gender diverse youth. She facilitates several monthly support groups for transgender adults, youth, and parents, and offers sessions to people around the world via webcam. Dr. Angello has appeared as a guest expert on Dr. Phil, Larry King Live, The Tyra Banks Show, ABC Primetime, Dr. Oz, and many more shows and documentaries. She is also an adjunct professor at Widener University and has developed the first graduate course in the US that focuses on clinical issues in transgender communities. Her private practice is in Pennsylvania.

She/Her

Tracey Wiese is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner certified in both Family Practice and Psychiatric Mental Health. She holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from Frontier Nursing University.

​Dr. Wiese provides a wide variety of services and expertise. She provides trauma informed psychotropic medication management and other mental health supportive services. Dr. Wiese conducts and supervises the primary healthcare services provided out of her gender/sexuality affirming primary care clinic. Dr. Wiese consults with and provides education and trainings around the state and nationally. Dr. Wiese brings a trauma informed approach to all of her work.

Dr. Crystal Beal, a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician, provides high-quality, expert, and affirming healthcare through QueerDoc. Dr. Beal started QueerDoc as an online doctor’s office providing culturally competent and individualized gender affirming care and queer medicine, like hormone therapy, PrEP, and STI screening. QueerDoc’s mission is to raise the bar in gender affirming care and increase access to high quality care.
Dr. Beal attended Florida State University College of Medicine where they founded the LGBTQ medical student group. They completed training at Valley Family Medicine Residency Program. Dr. Beal sought extensive additional training in sexual, queer, and gender health.

Aidan Key is the founder of Gender Diversity, an organization that provides education to professionals, teachers, counselors, and administrators regarding gender-inclusive schools grades K-12. Additionally, he provides support for families of transgender and gender diverse children and teens through parent support groups in Washington state. Key speaks regularly to universities and organizations seeking to expand their knowledge of issues related to gender identity in children and adults. He is also the founder of the Gender Odyssey conference.

Bio Coming Soon

Bio Coming Soon

she/her

Nikki joined Gender Odyssey Alliance staff in 2017, having been an attendee of the parent support groups and Gender Odyssey conference since 2014. In addition to facilitating support groups each month, she oversees family and youth programming, communications, program evaluation, organizational strategy, conference planning, and more. In late 2018 she led the launch of TYTAN (Trans Youth Taking Action Now, a youth leadership program) and Thriving On Two Spectrums (a program for families with kids who are both gender- and neuro-diverse). Most significantly, she is the solo parent of trans nonbinary 20-year-old.

he/him

Nikki joined the Gender Odyssey Alliance staff in 2017, having been an attendee of the parent support groups and Gender Odyssey conference since 2014. She brings over 20 years of experience in administration and communications from the fields of non-profit, finance, medical administration, and academia.
At Gender Diversity, she works in organizational administration and infrastructure, graphic design, program design, outreach, fundraising, the Gender Odyssey Conference, and Transfamilies.org. In early 2018 she began facilitating Gender Diversity Family Support Groups in Seattle, and in late 2018 launched TYTAN (Trans Youth Taking Action Now) and Thriving On Two Spectrums.

Gil is the Gender Odyssey Teen & Young Adult Program Coordinator and runs the youth groups for the Gender Diversity family support meetings in Seattle. He has over 19 years’ experience developing leadership and community-building programs that help youth recognize their potential. His background includes teaching within the Seattle and Atlanta public schools and serving in leadership roles with Camp Ten Trees, Lambert House, the YMCA, and the WSU-4H Challenge Programs. Gil had the unique opportunity to grow up as a gender-nonconforming kid with an identical twin who was also gender-nonconforming. Growing up knowing there was someone else like him in the world provided a foundation of self-confidence and pride that he hopes to pass on to the youth that come into his life.

he, him

Bio Coming Soon

Dr. Angello offers individual, couples, group, and family therapy, as well as corporate education on a variety of issues. She's presented internationally on her work with gender diverse youth. She facilitates monthly support groups for adults, youth, and parents, and offers sessions to people worldwide via webcam. Dr. Angello has appeared as an expert on Dr. Phil, Larry King Live, The Tyra Banks Show, ABC Primetime, Dr. Oz, and other shows/documentaries. She's an adjunct professor at Widener University and has developed the first US graduate course that focuses on clinical issues in transgender communities. Her private practice is in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Michele Angello offers individual, couples, group, and family therapy, as well as corporate education and training on a variety of issues. She has presented internationally on her work with transgender and gender diverse youth. She facilitates several monthly support groups for transgender adults, youth, and parents, and offers sessions to people around the world via webcam. Dr. Angello has appeared as a guest expert on Dr. Phil, Larry King Live, The Tyra Banks Show, ABC Primetime, Dr. Oz, and many more shows and documentaries. She is also an adjunct professor at Widener University and has developed the first graduate course in the US that focuses on clinical issues in transgender communities. Her private practice is in Pennsylvania.

he

Noah Lewis, Esq. is the founder and executive director of Transcend Legal a national, New York City-based organization focused on eliminating barriers to insurance coverage for transgender-related health care. He is also the Interim Senior Staff Attorney at Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund where he worked as staff attorney for five years. Noah has also held positions at the Transgender Law Center and the National LGBTQ Task Force. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Noah is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and was the first openly transgender student to graduate from Harvard Law School. There he worked successfully to eliminate trans health exclusions in student and staff health plans.

Ariel Bustamante (she/her/hers/ella) is a former Liberty Hill Leader to Watch and American Bar Association Panelist with well over a decade of experience working with non-profits including GSA Network, Liberty Hill Foundation, ACLU of Southern California, and now the the Los Angeles LGBT Center. She attended Green Mountain College and self-designed her area of study: inequality and oppression studies. As an equity and compliance expert, she has trained thousands of professionals serving diverse LGBTQ+ populations.

Coming soon

Diane Ehrensaft, Ph.D. is the Director of Mental Health and founding member of the Child and Adolescent Gender Center, a partnership between the UCSF and community agencies to provide comprehensive interdisciplinary services and advocacy to gender nonconforming/ transgender children and youth and their families. She is an associate professor of pediatrics at the UCSF and the chief psychologist at the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Child and Adolescent Gender Center Clinic. Dr. Ehrensaft heads Mind the Gap, the mental health child gender specialist consortium. Diane has written Gender Born, Gender Made, The Gender Creative Child, and co-edited The Gender Affirmative Model.

Debi Jackson and her family live in Kansas City, Missouri. She became an advocate for transgender rights in 2014 when her speech about her daughter's transition at the age of 4 went viral. The "conservative Southern Baptist Republican from Alabama" now speaks on behalf of transgender children and their families around the world. Debi received the 2016 NEA GLBT Caucus Role Model Award for her contributions to education about the LGBTQ+ community. She trains schools on trans-inclusive policies and supporting students through their transitions.

PhD

T.J. Jourian is a trainer with Think Again Training, and an independent scholar and consultant with Trans*Formational Change. In 2005, he was featured in the Sundance docu-series TransGeneration, depicting an academic year in the lives of four trans collegians at four different institutions, and giving him a platform from which to amplify justice work. Motivated by intersectional and liberatory movements and lenses, T.J. brings his personal and professional experiences into classrooms of all kinds, and his dynamic presentations speak to a variety of audiences. His scholarship, facilitation, and advocacy center trans and queer people of color’s experiences, perspectives, and leadership.

Mr. Padilla has been providing social and support services for the LGBT community for many years. Mr. Padilla has a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and is currently the Interim Executive Director of a Youth Homeless Adult Shelter in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Padilla provides consulting services for nonprofits around cultural awareness and program evaluation.

Bio Coming Soon

MD

He

Dr. Toby Meltzer – LSU Medical 1983, General Surgery residency Charity LA, Plastic Surgery residency University of Michigan, Burn fellowship Detroit Receiving Hospital, Member American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Chief/Division of Plastic Surgery VAMC, Assistant Professor Plastic Surgery, Assistant Clinical Professor OHSU, President Oregon Society Plastic Surgeons 1995-1997, Reviewer Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Journal of Sexual Medicine, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, OHSU 1990 - 1996, Private practice OR 1996 – 2003, AZ 2003-present, Privileges Honor Health, Greenbaum Specialty Hospital, Kaiser. Performing Gender Confirmation Surgery since 1990 FemaleToMale >1200, MaleToFemale >4500, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeries. Member/Lecturer/Instructor WPATH/USPATH/GEI/Founding Member ASGS.

MD

Dr. Ellie Ley is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Board Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. She left private practice to join the office of Dr. Toby Meltzer in December of 2015. She has had extensive training and has a true passion for working with the community; performing GCShe graduated from Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara and New York Medical College. Residency in General Surgery at the University of Arizona. S and other plastic surgery procedures.

MD, MAS

Maurice M. Garcia, MD, MAS is Associate Clinical Professor of Urologic Surgery In Residence at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he serves as Director of the Cedars-Sinai Transgender Surgery and Health Program. He is also Associate Clinical Professor of Urology (Adjunct) in the Department of Urology, and, in the Department of Anatomy, at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

Dr. Garcia completed residency training in urology at UCSF. He then completed 3 clinical fellowships in: (1) Andrology/Sexual Medicine and Neurourology (UCSF), (2) Feminizing [MtF] genital gender affirming surgery (GAS) (UK), and (3) Masculinizing [FtM] genital GAS (UK).
Dr. Garcia also completed a 2-year Master’s Degree in Clinical Research in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at UCSF.

Dr. Garcia specializes in both masculinizing and feminizing gender affirming surgery, Andrology, outcomes research, sexual medicine, surgical device design, and transgender surgery education. He founded the genital gender affirming surgery program at UCSF in 2013, and in 2017, he founded and currently leads the Transgender Surgery and Health Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Garcia is an active member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), and serves WPATH as a Global Education Initiative (GEI) educator about transgender surgery, and, serves as a co-author of WPATH’s upcoming Standards of Care v8.0 clinical care guidelines for transgender health. For the American Urologic Association (AUA), he serves as Lead editor for the AUA Core Curriculum section for transgender care and surgery.

Dr. Garcia is the Fellowship Director for the Cedars-Sinai Transgender Surgery and Health Program’s Genital Reconstruction fellowship for urologists and plastic surgeons.

Aidan Key – Founder and Managing Director Aidan celebrates 20 years since organizing his first Gender Odyssey conference. As Managing Director of Gender Diversity, Aidan leads the largest network of support groups in the nation for families raising trans and gender diverse children. He currently serves as Board Co-chair for Seattle Children's Hospital Gender Clinic. When the conference is not demanding his attention, Aidan offers trainings for schools, organizations, health providers, and social service agencies through Gender Diversity Education and Support Services. Aidan's work has led to numerous speaking engagements, as well as TV, radio, and other media appearances. He is the author of Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: Child Chapter (Oxford University Press 2014) as well as a coauthor of "Gender Cognition in Children" (Psychological Science 2015).

Dr. Baros is a high school teacher and GSA advisor. They taught Spanish for six years and earned a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. Their research examined the experiences of transgender including nonbinary students in Spanish language courses. They are passionate about advocating for marginalized students and currently teach at an alternative high school in Kelso, Washington.

Dane is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Divisional Director of LGBTQ Services at Main Line Health. Dane is involved with both clinical practice as well as the development of the Pediatric and Adolescent Comprehensive Trans Services (PACTS) which provides care for gender non-conforming children and adolescents.
Dane has a special interest in LGBTQ+ health and has presented nationally. His focus is on the practical application of guidelines for primary care providers working with the trans-population. He is currently faculty at Simmons University School of Nursing. He serves on the Jim Collins Board and is a contributor to the Lyon Martin Transline, a national hotline for clinicians seeking assistance in managing transgender patients.

he/him

Trystan Reese is a Portland-based educator who works on transgender fertility issues in academia, on social media, and with mainstream journalists. He has been featured on CNN, the Washington Post, Vice News, and dozens of other outlets across the globe. His trans family-building story was heard by millions on The Moth Radio Hour, one of the top 100 most listened-to podcasts in the world (it also aired on hundreds of NPR stations around the country). As Director of Family Formation at Family Equality, Trystan has trained over 1000 family-building professionals utilizing the online training program he built from scratch.

PhD

all pronouns

Jan E. Estrellado, PhD is Assistant Professor at Alliant International University, San Diego. Dr. Estrellado is a licensed clinical psychologist whose research focuses on the intersections of race, ethnicity, and trauma in therapy settings. She is specifically interested in examining clinicians’ competencies treating people of color who are also trauma survivors. Dr. Estrellado’s clinical work focuses broadly on issues related multiculturalism and social justice, and specifically to sexual orientation, gender identity, race and ethnicity, as well as with anxiety disorders, depression, trauma recovery, and severe mental illness. She was a Leadership Fellow with the Asian American Psychological Association and is also a consultant to the Avellaka Program, a federally funded anti-violence program serving the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians. Dr. Estrellado identifies as a trans-masculine, non-binary, Pilipinx person and responds to all gender pronouns.

Asaf is the Transgender Youth Project Staff Attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights. He has been advocating for the rights of transgender youth for nearly a decade. Asaf has represented transgender youth and their families in cases from discrimination in school and health care to child-custody disputes and abuse-and-neglect proceedings. In addition, Asaf has also authored publications and presented on topics related to transgender youth.

I am a Licensed marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in working with children, youth and families in the LGBTQ+ communities. I attended UCSD where I obtained my Bachelors Degree in Psychology and graduated from Argosy University with my Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology.

I interned at Community Research Foundation, a not-for-profit organization where I expanded my knowledge on available resources and services throughout the San Diego and North County areas for mental health by working in short term acute residential treatment programs (S.T.A.R.T.) and outpatient clinics. I also spent several years working with children/youth on the autism spectrum.

Dane is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Divisional Director of LGBTQ Services at Main Line Health. Dane is involved with both clinical practice as well as the development of the Pediatric and Adolescent Comprehensive Trans Services (PACTS) which provides care for gender non-conforming children and adolescents.
Dane has a special interest in LGBTQ+ health and has presented nationally. His focus is on the practical application of guidelines for primary care providers working with the trans-population. He is currently faculty at Simmons University School of Nursing. He serves on the Jim Collins Board and is a contributor to the Lyon Martin Transline, a national hotline for clinicians seeking assistance in managing transgender patients.

Darlene Tando is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in San Diego. She has been working with transgender clients since 2006, and the majority of her practice is dedicated to working with gender expansive/transgender youth and adults. Darlene believes the individual is the “expert” on one’s own gender identity. For more information about her work in the gender field, please visit her blog at www.darlenetandogenderblog.com. Darlene also authored the book “The Conscious Parent’s Guide to Gender Identity: A Mindful Approach to Embracing your Child’s Authentic Self.”

Aydin Olson-Kennedy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Gender Center where he provides psychotherapy to gender non-conforming and transgender teens, adults, and their families. He speaks internationally to medical and mental health providers, educators, social workers and families on the importance of accessible, informed-consent care. His focus is on identifying and acknowledging domains of privilege and broadening clinicians and families understanding of gender dysphoria and its impact on the psychosocial well-being of gender-nonconforming and transgender individuals.

MSW

she/her

Maria Al-Shamma is a School Social Worker who also serves on the Board of Directors for the North County LGBTQ Resource Center. As the parent of a trans non-binary individual, she is aware of the crucial need for support for our LGBTQ+ youth, as well the education of those around them. In the Vista Unified School District she works to help LGBTQ+ youth feel safe, welcomed, affirmed and loved. Maria is a Welcoming Schools Certified Trainer and is excited to provide this professional development to elementary school educators. She also provides LGBTQ+ Competency Trainings to area K-12 schools.

Angela M. Rodriguez is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, practicing at the Crane Center for Transgender Surgery in San Francisco, CA. Dr. Rodriguez is a fellowship trained gender and craniofacial surgeon. She completed her education at the university of Massachusetts Medical Center and post graduate fellowships at Harvard and Stanford University.
Dr Rodriguez considers a privilege and honor to be working in gender affirming care and is proud to be at the vanguard of this very important social movement.

MS RDN

she, her

Gloria Williamson is a California native who has over a decade of experience as a Registered Dietitian with a Masters in Nutritional Science. She has focused on the balance between nutritional, social and emotional health with all ages and a variety of gender identities. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she has explored how gender and sexuality can be intertwined with food and health. She maximized learning opportunities for her specific focus in working with the trans and non-binary community. She specializes in working with emotional relationships with food including eating disorders.

Kathie Moehlig is the Executive Director of TransFamily Support Services, and a leading authority on supporting transgender and non-binary youth and their families. A tireless advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, she was named “Woman of the Year” by California Assemblyperson Todd Gloria, and one of the “Best People of San Diego” by CityBeat Magazine. A certified life coach, parenting instructor and motivational speaker, Kathie’s work has been featured in the New York Times, the San Diego Union-Tribune and on the NBC News.

MD

He

Dr. Dev Gurujal is a Board Certified Plastic surgeon, having practiced gender affirming surgery since 2014. He is currently in practice with Dr. Thomas Satterwhite at Align Surgical Associates.
He completed his training in aesthetic and reconstructive Plastic Surgery at Northwestern, and a Microsurgery fellowship at Stanford. He also holds a master’s degree in Engineering Design and Innovation, and is an inventor with a passion for medical device innovation. His mission is to use his love of surgery and design to help the transgender community.

MS, CCC-SLP

She/Her

Sandy Hirsch, MS, CCC-SLP has gained an international reputation as an expert in transgender voice training. She has co-edited and authored the three editions of the seminal Plural Publishing textbook on voice and communication training for transgender clients. Her work has been featured in print, television and radio media. Ms. Hirsch teaches regularly at multiple voice and gender conferences and has lectured at the UW, WWU, and SUNY New Paltz. Her private practice, Give Voice, Seattle, focuses on voice along the gender spectrum. A marriage of languages, performance and clinical voice gives Ms. Hirsch a rich perspective on communication training.

Ken Grandlund is the father of a trans male youth. A a parent and advocate, Ken has had to learn on the go as most parents do. He is the board secretary for the North County LGBTQ Resource Center in Oceanside, California, a member of his employers National Leadership team for the Pride ERG, and also a member of their National Diversity & Inclusion Council. He is a proud father, and is happy to share his experiences to help others.

Dr. Angello offers individual, couples, group, and family therapy, as well as corporate education on a variety of issues. She's presented internationally on her work with gender diverse youth. She facilitates monthly support groups for adults, youth, and parents, and offers sessions to people worldwide via webcam. Dr. Angello has appeared as an expert on Dr. Phil, Larry King Live, The Tyra Banks Show, ABC Primetime, Dr. Oz, and other shows/documentaries. She's an adjunct professor at Widener University and has developed the first US graduate course that focuses on clinical issues in transgender communities. Her private practice is in Pennsylvania.

Aidan Key is the director of Gender Diversity, an organization that provides education to professionals, teachers, counselors, and administrators regarding gender-inclusive schools grades K-12. Additionally, he provides support for families of transgender and gender diverse children and teens through parent support groups in Washington state. Key speaks regularly to universities and organizations seeking to expand their knowledge of issues related to gender identity in children and adults. He is also the founder of the Gender Odyssey conference.

Darlene Tando is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in San Diego. She has been working with transgender clients since 2006, and a large part of her practice is dedicated to working with gender expansive/transgender youth and adults. Darlene believes the individual is the “expert” on one’s own gender identity. For more information about her work in the gender field, please visit her blog at www.darlenetandogenderblog.com.

Dr. Toby Meltzer – LSU Medical 1983, General Surgery residency Charity LA, Plastic Surgery residency University of Michigan, Burn fellowship Detroit Receiving Hospital, Member American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Chief/Division of Plastic Surgery VAMC, Assistant Professor Plastic Surgery, Assistant Clinical Professor OHSU, President Oregon Society Plastic Surgeons 1995-1997, Reviewer Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Journal of Sexual Medicine, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, OHSU 1990 - 1996, Private practice OR 1996 – 2003, AZ 2003-present, Privileges Honor Health, Greenbaum Specialty Hospital, Kaiser. Performing Gender Confirmation Surgery since 1990 FemaleToMale >1200, MaleToFemale >4500, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeries. Member/Lecturer/Instructor WPATH/USPATH/GEI/Founding Member ASGS.

Kathie Moehlig is the Executive Director of TransFamily Support Services, and a leading authority on supporting transgender and non-binary youth and their families. A tireless advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, she was named “Woman of the Year” by California Assemblyperson Todd Gloria, and one of the “Best People of San Diego” by CityBeat Magazine. A certified life coach, parenting instructor and motivational speaker, Kathie’s work has been featured in the New York Times, the San Diego Union-Tribune and on the NBC News.

Aidan Key is the director of Gender Diversity, an organization that provides education to professionals, teachers, counselors, and administrators regarding gender-inclusive schools grades K-12. Additionally, he provides support for families of transgender and gender diverse children and teens through parent support groups in Washington state. Key speaks regularly to universities and organizations seeking to expand their knowledge of issues related to gender identity in children and adults. He is also the founder of the Gender Odyssey conference.

Andie Gersh, RN, MSN, FNP-C is a Nurse Practitioner at the Cedars Sinai Transgender Surgery and Health Program. Andie works with Dr. Maurice Garcia to provide patients with Gender Affirming Urological Surgeries as well as referrals for gender affirming surgeries and therapies in other specialties. She provides training and has conducted research on the care of transgender patients in both inpatient and primary care.

Maurice Garcia, MD, MAS is the director of the Cedars Sinai Medical Center Transgender Surgery and Health Program.

Debi Jackson and her family live in Kansas City, Missouri. She became an advocate for transgender rights in 2014 when her speech about her daughter's transition at the age of 4 went viral. The "conservative Southern Baptist Republican from Alabama" now speaks on behalf of transgender children and their families around the world. Debi received the 2016 NEA GLBT Caucus Role Model Award for her contributions to education about the LGBTQ+ community. She trains schools on trans-inclusive policies and supporting students through their transitions.

LCSW-R

She/He/They/None

Laura A. Jacobs, LCSW-R is a Trans and GenderQueer psychotherapist, speaker, author, and activist, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Callen-Lorde, and have presented at countless conferences, medical schools, and other organizations. Laura founded the Gender Dysphoria Affirmative Working Group and coauthored “ ‘You’re In The Wrong Bathroom!’ And 20 Other Myths and Misconceptions About Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People”. They were recently presented the 2019 Standard of Excellence Award by AASECT. www.LauraAJacobs.com

MD FACOG

she/her

Rixt Luikenaar is a Board Certified Gynecologist from The Netherlands with 20 years of experience and a Certified WPATH Transgender Health Expert. She owns "Rebirth Obgyn" and has provided care for over 5000 transgender folks. She launched a practice with Curtis Crane this year with the purpose of offering vaginoplasty in Salt Lake City. She graduates May 1st from the eMBA program at the University of Utah and is co-editor of the first ever textbook in trans*gynecology. She has a transgender son, loves naked cats and Electronic Dance music.

MD, FACS, Pharm. D.

Dr. DeLeon is a board certified general surgeon and fellowship trained transgender surgeon practicing at the Crane Center for Transgender Surgery in Austin, Texas. She is both a Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Pharmacy. Her surgical residency was completed at The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School where she is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery and Peri-operative Care. After practicing for several years in general surgery and trauma, Dr. DeLeon completed a Fellowship in Gender Affirmation Surgery with Dr. Curtis Crane and has now dedicated her full-time efforts exclusively to the transgender community.

Dr. Rodriguez is a board certified plastic surgeon practicing at the Crane Center for Transgender Surgery in San Francisco. She is dedicated full time to the care of the transgender community. Dr. Rodriguez completed her internship/residency in surgery as well as Plastic Surgery Fellowship at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. She elected to pursue an additional subspecialty fellowship in craniofacial surgery at Stanford University. She spent two years at Harvard University as a research fellow.

Mick Rabin taught in the classroom for 21 years. Working at a Title-1 school with limited resources and under district policies of limited scope, Mick needed to get creative. Now a project resource teacher for Youth Advocacy in San Diego Unified (and many years with GLSEN San Diego), Mick has facilitated numerous PDs that explore resourceful ways to promote identity exploration through a curricular lens with a priority for embracing diversity including the LGBTQIA experience.

LMFT

she

In our society, it is not easy to understand or find room for gender diversity. Anatomy has been culture’s mandate for whom children should grow up to be. If they are not willing or able to follow these rules, they are often misunderstood. Rather than be true to their deepest feelings, they are asked to accommodate to what is expected. As Director of the Child and Adolescent Services Program, I am dedicated to changing this. It is important for families to have accurate information about gender diversity and gender expression. When they know that the feelings their children are expressing are perfectly normal, they can feel safe and supported. Together we will be able to find a path that is best for their children and for them. On this very unique journey, families may experience a wide range of feelings including doubt, anger, sadness, confusion, relief, and joy. My goal is to provide a warm and welcoming environment to embrace them all.

Dr. Dev Gurujal is a Board Certified Plastic surgeon, having practiced gender affirming surgery since 2014. He completed his training in aesthetic and reconstructive Plastic Surgery at Northwestern, and a Microsurgery fellowship at Stanford. He has conducted research in wound healing, bacterial biofilms, and the reduction of scar formation. He also holds a master’s degree in Engineering Design and Innovation, and is an inventor with a passion for medical device innovation. Dr. Gurujal's belief is that gender affirmation surgery has been in the shadows for too long, and has yet to see the full benefit of what medicine can offer. His mission is to use his love of surgery and design to help the transgender community.

Dr. Thomas Satterwhite obtained his Bachelor’s Degree (Human Biology with Honors) and Medical Degree at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. He remained at Stanford to complete his residency in Plastic Surgery. His expertise in facial surgery was further refined with the completion of a craniofacial fellowship in Miami, FL. Dr. Satterwhite has extensively published and presented nationally and internationally in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery. Dr. Satterwhite has performed gender confirmation surgery in the Bay Area since 2014. His practice is dedicated to providing excellent, personal, and comprehensive care to the world-wide transgender and gender diverse community.

she/her

Presenter Bio
Darlene Tando is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in San Diego. She has been working with transgender clients since 2006, and a large part of her practice is dedicated to working with gender expansive/transgender youth and adults. Darlene believes the individual is the “expert” on one’s own gender identity. For more information about her work in the gender field, please visit her blog at www.darlenetandogenderblog.com. Darlene also authored the book “The Conscious Parent’s Guide to Gender Identity: A Mindful Approach to Embracing your Child’s Authentic Self.”

Bio coming soon

Coming soon

MD

HE

Dr. Toby Meltzer – LSU Medical 1983, General Surgery residency Charity LA, Plastic Surgery residency University of Michigan, Burn fellowship Detroit Receiving Hospital, Member American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Chief/Division of Plastic Surgery VAMC, Assistant Professor Plastic Surgery, Assistant Clinical Professor OHSU, President Oregon Society Plastic Surgeons 1995-1997, Reviewer Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Journal of Sexual Medicine, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, OHSU 1990 - 1996, Private practice OR 1996 – 2003, AZ 2003-present, Privileges Honor Health, Greenbaum Specialty Hospital, Kaiser. Performing Gender Confirmation Surgery since 1990 FemaleToMale >1200, MaleToFemale >4500, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeries. Member/Lecturer/Instructor WPATH/USPATH/GEI/Founding Member ASGS.

LCSW

they/them

David Breland, MD, MPH is a member of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Seattle Children's Hospital and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Breland earned his MD from the University of California, Davis and a MPH at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Inwards-Breland is the Medical Director of the Center for Gender Affirming Care at Rady Children's Hospital.

He completed his fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Breland practices at Seattle Children's Hospital and Harborview Medical Center. He has expertise in male health, eating disorders, obesity depression, anxiety and gender dysphoria. His research interest includes increasing adolescent male use of school-based health centers, and depression in adolescent and young adult males.

MD, MPH

he/him

Dr. David Inwards-Breland is a member of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Seattle Children's Hospital and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Inwards-Breland earned his MD from the University of California, Davis and a MPH at the University of California, Berkley.

He completed his fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Inwards-Breland is the Medical Director of Seattle Children's Gender Clinic. He has expertise in male health, disordered eating, obesity, depression, anxiety, and gender dysphoria. His research interest includes increasing adolescent male use of school-based health centers, and depression in adolescent and young adult males.

Debi Jackson and her family live in Kansas City, Missouri. She became an advocate for transgender rights in 2014 when her speech about her daughter's transition at the age of 4 went viral. The "conservative Southern Baptist Republican from Alabama" now speaks on behalf of transgender children and their families around the world. Debi received the 2016 NEA GLBT Caucus Role Model Award for her contributions to education about the LGBTQ+ community. She trains schools on trans-inclusive policies and supporting students through their transitions.

Gil Rich is the Gender Odyssey Teen & Young Adult Program Coordinator and runs the youth groups for the Gender Diversity family support meetings in Seattle. He has over 18 years’ experience developing leadership and community-building programs that help youth recognize their potential. His background includes teaching within the Seattle and Atlanta public schools and serving in leadership roles with Camp Ten Trees, Lambert House, the YMCA, and the WSU-4H Challenge Programs. Gil had the unique opportunity to grow up as a gender-nonconforming kid with an identical twin who was also gender-nonconforming. Growing up knowing there was someone else like him in the world provided a foundation of self-confidence and pride that he hopes to pass on to the youth that come into his life.

Crystal Gurney is a Life Doula, listener, and community builder. A former birth doula, and mom of 8, including one amazing transgender kiddo. With 7 years of experience leading support groups, she’s used to big feelings about tender topics. She is a Master Trainer for Group Peer Support (GPS) and helps doulas and other helping professionals learn about broaching potentially sensitive topics with the families they work with. She highly values art as a mode of processing grief and trauma, and often uses it as a part of her work around perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and birth trauma.

Alex Iles is a Pacific NW native and dad to 8 awesome kids, including one transgender child. He has 20+ years in the aerospace industry, managing teams and through that career discovered a passion for bringing people together, building community and coaching. As a certified coach, he works with people to help them discover their strengths and move toward their goals. As a group facilitator, he appreciates listening to the stories of others and the potential connections that happen during groups.

Mr. Padilla has been providing social and support services for the LGBT community for many years. Mr. Padilla has a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and is currently the Interim Executive Director of a Youth Homeless Adult Shelter in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Padilla provides consulting services for nonprofits around cultural awareness and program evaluation.

L. Tuiletufuga’s social location: gender fluid/non-binary-queer person of color.
L. has worked in the community for over 10 years as a group facilitator and speaker; specializing in embodiment/ movement / drama / expressive arts, Mindfulness and meditative techniques, and Motivational/Inspirational collaborative healing. They received their Bachelors of Arts in Theater and Psychology from the University of California at San Diego and their Master’s Degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from San Diego State University. L. works in private practice, The LGBT Community Center, and the Hillcrest Youth Center with individuals, couples, families, and groups who are experiencing emerging identities, shifts in preferences, recovering from relational violence and other forms of trauma, and folks who are experiencing issues of immigration, low socio-economic status, and racial marginalization. In their work L. practices an amalgam of Narrative Therapy, Mindfulness techniques, Embodiment/ Play Therapy, and Indigenous/ Native Samoan ancestral healing practices.

LMFT

She/Her

Danyela Mason is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who specializes in drug/alcohol recovery, domestic violence, and sexual abuse recovery. More importantly, she is a mother of five children. Three of her children were born in 2005 and one of them is transgender. She takes a lot of pride and joy in raising her children and is very proud to be a "transparent". She speaks to various professional organizations and schools on the topic of transgender and gender creative children. Gender Odyssey is where her family first started their journey and she is thrilled to be presenting at GO.

tacia (ta-ee-uh), i oard preident for the nonprofit, A Window etween World, and on the oard of the an Gariel Valle Aian Pacific Ilander PFLAG chapter. And mot importantl, he i the proud mom of a 17 ear old tran daughter.
eing a proud mama ear ha ecome her paion and purpoe. And he' here to hare with ou how he' een uing art to engage communit and empower individual to make a difference.

Laura A. Jacobs, LCSW-R is a Trans and GenderQueer psychotherapist, speaker, author, and activist, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Callen-Lorde, and have presented at countless conferences, medical schools, and other organizations. Laura founded the Gender Dysphoria Affirmative Working Group and coauthored “ ‘You’re In The Wrong Bathroom!’ And 20 Other Myths and Misconceptions About Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People”. They were recently presented the 2019 Standard of Excellence Award by AASECT. www.LauraAJacobs.com

Debi Jackson and her family live in Kansas City, Missouri. She became an advocate for transgender rights in 2014 when her speech about her daughter's transition at the age of 4 went viral. The "conservative Southern Baptist Republican from Alabama" now speaks on behalf of transgender children and their families around the world. Debi received the 2016 NEA GLBT Caucus Role Model Award for her contributions to education about the LGBTQ+ community. She trains schools on trans-inclusive policies and supporting students through their transitions.

Ali Munshi is a former teacher, military spouse and mom to two teens--one cisgender and one transgender. She's been an LGBTQ advocate and educator in VA and Alabama. Ali helped start the first GLSEN Chapter in AL, joined the PFLAG Huntsville board, brought a chapter of Trans Family Support Services to Huntsville and co-facilitates its parent support group. She has advocated for trans students in both elementary and high schools.

she

Vanessa Nichols is the mom of an amazing transgender son, living in southwest Florida. Vanessa is a writer, a business owner, and a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She is the founder of a fundraising project called The Trans Love Project, raising funds for small LGBTQ+ organizations throughout the U.S. Vanessa is a member of PFLAG, the communications director of her county's Stonewall Democrats Caucus, and volunteers for her local LGBTQ+ youth center.