10th Annual Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference Call For Proposals

TransGriot Note:  Have always wanted to attend this conference and almost did last year, but things conspired or schedule conflicts kept me from being there.   Maybe this is the year?    

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10th Annual Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference

a program of Mazzoni Center 

Call For Workshop Proposals

10th Anniversary Extravaganza!

The 10th Annual Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference (PTHC) will be held June 2-4, 2011 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (Philadelphia, PA). In celebrating the tenth year of the conference, we will be looking back to reflect on how far we've come as a community, and also looking forward to new horizons and possibilities.  We will especially focus on celebrating the thousands of community members who have helped to make PTHC the largest transgender-specific conference in the world! 

The Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference hosts over 130 workshops at each year. The success of the event is dependent upon the experience and expertise that comes from the community, so the planning committee is now soliciting workshop proposals from the community in a wide range of focused topics. Areas of interest include physical health and mental health, as well as other areas that contribute to our overall health and well-being, such as family, workplace, spiritual, and legal issues. We favor constructive workshops that work towards education, empowerment, and improving conditions. 

Our ideal conference schedule will include diverse workshops in support of people of color, children, teens, parents, and family members; workshops that support those with masculine, feminine, and non-binary (e.g. genderqueer) gender identities and expressions; and workshops that nurture cultural competency among our allies and providers (including medical and mental health providers as well as clergy, lawyers, educators, and other professions that interact with transgender constituencies).

How To Submit Your Proposal

At http://workshops.trans-health.org/propose, you can propose your own workshops as well as review a list of topics and past workshop descriptions. We are eager to hear your creative ideas!

The workshop proposal deadline is January 15, 2011. However, earlier submission is strongly encouraged!  This year we have volunteer working groups looking pro-actively at particular areas of interest. Your advance submission will help those working groups to plan more efficiently.

There is no registration fee to participate in the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, but if travel expenses would prevent you from offering your workshop idea, please be in touch with the planning committee about your needs.  A limited amount of funds may be available to provide travel and lodging assistance for presenters with pressing need.  Go ahead and submit your workshop proposal in the online system and also contact info@trans-health.org with information on what kind of support you would need to be able to attend.   

For More Information

Please watch http://www.trans-health.org for more conference developments as plans are finalized, including details about sponsorship, advertising, and vending opportunities, as well as housing options, pre-registration, and more program details.  Chris is our 2011 Conference Chair and can be reached at chris@trans-health.org or 267-507-5507 with general questions, feedback, and ideas about the conference.  Emily is our 2011 Workshop Coordinator and can be reached at emily@trans-health.org with questions and feedback about the online workshop proposal system and program planning process.

Upcoming SCC 2011 Planning Meeting

TransGriot Note;  Received this message from Alexis Dee about the upcoming planning meeting for SCC 2011

Hello all and happy holidays !!

I hope everyone is recovered from eating too much on Turkey Day.....I know that my jeans are a little tight.

The planning for SCC 2011 is gearing up and I am very excited about 2011. The dates for SCC 2011 are Sept. 19-25. It will be at the same hotel , which is the Crowne Plaza @ Ravinia, Atlanta , Georgia.

This year because of our collaboration with WPATH and GLMA, we are extending the conference to Sunday the 25th for a co-event. Our conference will move to Emory University where there will be additional seminars and speakers to include Chaz Bono.This will be an "optional" event for our attendees...details will become available shortly.

The first planning meeting is January 15th. It will be at the Crowne Plaza @ Ravinia, Atlanta,GA  It will start promptly at 9 AM EST . There will be a continental breakfast available.

Our special "friends and family" room rate has gone into effect, however the rooms are limited , soon if you need a room please reserve it it ASAP....

Please do your best to attend....we are always looking for a " few good men/women". See ya there.......Lexi

2010 CBC Annual Legislative Conference Weekend

The 40th annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 2010 Annual Legislative Conference started yesterday at the Walter Washington Convention Center in our nation's capital through Saturday.

It's an event I've always wanted to attend, but my schedule or finances never seem to match up so I can do so.

The cool thing about it is that many of the seminars are led by CBC congressmembers.

For those of you able to attend, enjoy.

SCC 2010

In a few hours, the 20th anniversary edition on one of my fave trans conferences will begin down in the A-T-L. Or more precisely, the A-T-L 'burbs.

It's Southern Comfort Conference time once again, the largest trans themed conference in the United States and possibly the world.

It's happening from today through September 12, but unfortunately due to a previous commitment in Northampton, I won't be there. I was invited by Autumn and Pam to be part of their Friday 'New Media In Colorful Diversity' panel discussion, but unfortunately will be traveling that day. Ironically my Delta flight has me changing planes that weekend in Atlanta.

Well, there's next year. If SCC wants me, maybe they could have the TransGriot speak at one of the dinners or luncheons, hint hint.

Speaking of the seminars, it's one of the things I've always loved about SCC. They have strived to make them informative and give you a lot of seminar track choices. They also include opportunities to do off site activities that have included visiting Atlanta institutions such as the World of Coca-Cola and CNN headquarters.

Frankly, I'd like to see them add trips to the King Center and the Carter Presidential Center in town as well. Perhaps those of you contemplating being on the 2011 SCC planning committee can suggest that.

My first SCC was in 1999 and it was a memorable one. I met Dawn, Marisa Richmond and much of the legendary trans leadership at the time and returned in 2000 since it was the site for one of our NTAC face to face board meetings.

The 2000 SCC happened to be the 10th anniversary event and the last one they held at the old hotel in the Buckhead area. It also had the then record POC attendance of 27 people.

My last SCC I attended was in 2004. Got old counting the African descended trans people in attendance on one hand, but I do have to point out since then they've been diligent about and managed to get SCC POC attendance into the double digit range.

So congratulations SCC on making it to 20 years. Here's hoping that the conference continues to grow and prosper and get more diverse.

You Gotta Have Faith

One point that is repeatedly missed in the broader trans community is the faith of transpeople of color is an integral part of their lives.

Out of the long list of reasons why many POC trans people shy away from participating in the trans movement, the knee jerk bashing of religion by some people in it is probably in the Top Ten as to why.

To be honest, to transition takes a leap of faith to begin with.

You have to leave behind a life you aren't happy with in order to become the person you always were. You will endure scorn, ridicule, sometimes violence, loss of things, friends and sometimes family members that are near and dear to your heart.

And yet, through that process, we become the men and women we were born to be,

Contrary to the lies that our opponents tell about us, many of us were spiritual people before we embarked upon this gender journey, and it has only enhanced our faith.

There are times when that faith is severely tested, and times we have had to seriously lean on it to get us through some troubling situations.

As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, once said about this subject in his 1963 essay Strength To Love, 'Faith can give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future.'

So yes, one of the prerequisites for any transition is faith.

Faith that you have prayerfully considered that transition is what you really want to do with all your heart, mind and soul. Faith that you will have the endurance to journey down this road to completion once you start down this path.

And finally, you have the faith to boldly look in the mirror, love the person that stared back at you in the mirror's reflection and be a better human being than when you started.

Upcoming TransFaith In Color Summit 2010

Unfortunately I had to decline an invite to speak at this event due to a scheduling conflict with my impending 30 year high school reunion, but for those of you who are in or can get to the Left Coast for this one, it might be worth your time and effort to do so.

It's the 2010 TransFaith in Color Summit, and it will be taking place in Los Angeles on October 8-10 at the Radisson Hotel. Address is 6161 West Centinela Avenue in Culver City, CA.

The group organizing it is the North Carolina based Freedom Center for Social Justice. You can e-mail them for further information about this event at info@fscj.org

The mailing address for the Freedom Center for Social Justice is:
P.O. Box 37131
Charlotte, NC 28237

According to the website, there are three goals for this event:

1. Bring the talent and efforts of transgender communities of color more to the center of the work already being done by many within the broader transgender community. More specifically, this effort will expand the network and thus leverage efforts and resources in a more effective and efficient manner.

2. Strengthen the transgender faith community through training and networking. This will be done in ways that will help individuals with their personal journeys, while initiating change within and between communities of faith. It will support ongoing work aimed at creating more welcoming and truly inclusive communities of faith.

3. Develop and implement of a survey that will provide greater insight into the needs and opportunities that exist for transgender people of faith and others. this work will, in turn, yield a final report that will provide leaders in faith communities with ways to enhance the service to and experience of transgender people of faith, as well as aid socio-political activists at the policy level.

One point that is repeatedly missed in the broader trans community is the faith of transpeople of color is an integral part of their lives.

The knee jerk bashing of religion by some trans people is a factor in one of the many reasons why some POC trans people shy away from participating in the trans movement.

Upoming Trans Strategy Conference

TransGriot Note: Arianna and the folks at GIEC sent me the note about this upcoming invitation only trans event.

This is a dynamic and engaging conference for prioritizing and planning an effective strategy of vigorous ground activism/advocacy/action, to include:

*Education of the general public and institutions, especially of areas where Trans people are rarely heard of or considered, utilizing in depth heart to heart discourse, common ground engagement and positive bridge building.

*Blunting stigmatization of Trans people, as well as ending the gross misappropriation, silencing and "invisibling" of Trans people by some elements of the LGB and Cisgender sectors in society.

*Building a Trans Activism machine that can act independently, with any ally support as an added "bonus", not total dependency.

*Finally challenging Transphobic institutions, initiating supported litigation when called for.

*Launching a response and communications network for Trans people based on existing successful models and creativity.

*Officially launching Counter - Media platforms and resources that can broadcast positive and empowering images of Trans people, thus challenging the negative media image(s) of Trans people;

- increasing and raising the volume of our voices.

*ENDA - and alternatives to this if necessary.

*Creative solutions for mitigating Anti - Trans violence.

*Significant ally organizations and others, such as the ACLU, Lambda Legal, Sylvia Rivera Law Center, TIP, Radical Women,GLAD, NLGTF, GLAAD, NOW, TFA, TransUnited, TransHaven, GASS, TransAngels, Gender Justice, contributive UK/European/Asian/Latin American/African entities, MAGNET and Board members of the Guardian Angels, are just some being invited to attend.

*There will also be opportunities for individuals or groups at the conference to make presentations - please let us know at least 2 weeks in advance, provide an abstract or outline of what you would like to present.

The cost of this conference is free, although donations to be used for trans people in need, would definitely be appreciated!

Location: Soka University of America, Aliso Viejo, CA (conference area TBA)
Date: Saturday September 4th - Sunday September 5th, 2010
Time: 10:30 AM on Saturday / 12:30 PM on Sunday

If any maps, directions are needed for the area, please don't hesitate to request them.

-An electric cart for those with disabilities is available with advance reservations specifying that the cart is needed.

-Breakout sessions can be flexibly scheduled throughout the conference.

-There will be a special motivational and success training presentation on Saturday (time TBA).

-We'll also host a live "2-way" online video feed at the conference, so that remote attendees will have a chance to significantly contribute - we'll be giving out secure pass words and log-on information beforehand.

Meals and catering
-Breakfast/Brunch and Dinner on campus subsidized by the GIEC, will be available during the conference. -The Bistro Cafe on the campus of Soka University serves fresh, very well prepared great all-you-can-eat buffet meals prepared by contract chefs.

-If there are any dietary needs (such as vegetarian, vegan or modified diet) please let us know ahead of the conference.

Detailed information for hotel and residential host lodging will be arranged and announced very soon.

Scholarships will be available for those needing financial assistance to attend this event (for travel, lodging and subsidized meals)

This conference will be invitation only and security will be provided

Contact:
Email: arikitty09@gmail.com
Phone: 714-227-0252

TransGriot Update: Questions are arising as to whether this is a legitimate conference. It's not on the Soka University website for scheduled September monthly events.

Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit-Day Two Recap

For Day Two I decided to go casual and leave the house a little earlier so I wouldn't have the METRO drama I endured yesterday.

I decided I just couldn't hide my Cougar pride and showed up in my UH t-shirt and jeans instead of being in diva mode. I got there early enough to partake of the continental breakfast and talk with some of the younglings like Ambi and Lowell and veteran activists such as Lisa Scheps.

I continued to hear how happy people were to find out the Texan in Exile was back on Lone Star soil, that my blog is well thought of, and people on the national trans leadership scene think highly of me.

If y'all think that highly of me, then hire a sister for your organizations.

While that made me feel empowered and happy, this event still wasn't about me. It was about Day Two of the Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit and what WE could do to help bring change on and off Texas college campuses for the better.

After giving birthday girl Vanessa a big hug, we returned to the Kyle Morrow Room to pick up where we left off in the TTNS Day One proceedings on Tuesday.

After listening to the housekeeping announcements, my Group 5 cohorts and I headed to our group moderated by Shane Whalley.

It was a discussion about domestic partner benefits and the problems of getting them in a GOP dominated state. I did contribute some points from my time in Kentucky about how UK and U of L have managed to do so with roughly the same political climate and budget deficit situation.

When those 30 minutes were up, it was off to Randall Terrell's group to discuss the current landscape of Texas politics, the upcoming 2010 midterms, redistricting and how all of this affects the Texas TBLG community.

That was another group I was more of a active listener in because it was helping me get back to speed on the Texas political climate circa 2010.

Our group then went to our final mini session of the TTNS, moderated by Jo Tittsworth on another subject I've discussed or thought about more than a few times in terms of intersecting ideologies.

Thirty minutes wasn't enough for this group. We talked about lobbying strategies, intersectional work, incorporating different points of view in compiling and executing those strategies and how factors like race, ethnicity and class can impact it. Jo, Maria and I even talked about interesting things that happened to us while lobbying at the state, local and federal level.

We then took a break, then went into our large group before we broke for lunch that Lowell and Katy facilitated.

They hammered five main points about strategic planning that we expounded on in the discussions.

1- Defining the problem
2- Identifying the target
3- Gathering the troops
4- Status check
5- Evaluation of success/failure

We then broke for lunch while a smaller group headed by Randall began working on a joint support statement for Nikki Araguz that we discussed and cleaned up from the initial draft during the lunch break.

Yes, even during conferences sometimes real world events have a way of inserting themselves on these preplanned affairs that compel the activists gathered at that venue to take some kind of action.

I'm still bummed about a protest I missed at the 1999 Creating Change conference I attended that took place in Oakland. It was in response to an African-American transwoman who was assaulted outside the convention center, then was disrespected by the Oakland po-po's who were called to the scene to take the report.

I had to fly back home to be at work that Sunday, and while I was winging back to Texas from the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area, the Creating Change conference attendees were marching in the streets.

There was also a conversation I had with some young African American activists in which I discussed with them the emotions and issues with being the lone POC's sometimes in conferences and organizations. I pointed out POC's would like to be active participants at many LGBT conferences and orgs in the community, but circumstances sometimes prevent them from doing so or we're not asked.

I advised them that if they find themselves being the Lone Sistah in the room, to be fearless in speaking up, saying what's on your mind and not be too overly concerned about it. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't no matter what happens.

If you don't speak up, you'll be kicking yourself for not doing so. If you do and peeps are going to trip about you representing your constituency and saying something that may not line up neatly with the groupthink in the room, so what?

After lunch came the role playing scenarios, and the question and answer discussions that followed them utilizing the strategies we'd spent a day and a half learning.

Then came the concluding remarks from Jo, the post test and evaluations, and just like that, the 2010 Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit was over.

Before we left, we've been collecting donations toward a fund to help defray the costs of Nikki Araguz's legal expenses since her accounts have been frozen. It was $100 in cash and $200 in checks.

I spent a few minutes talking to some of the college students and other people I'd gotten to know over the last day and a half before departing from the Fondren Library and walking across the Rice campus to Fannin St. and my train stop.

I'm looking forward to interacting with them on upcoming projects and speaking engagements inside and outside the Houston metro area. You can also add Texas State to the list of possible places you may see the TransGriot speaking.

I'm looking forward to if I'm available to do so, stepping on the Texas A&M campus for the 2011 TTNS. Info and dates coming soon.

Hopefully at the 2011 event I'll see representatives and attendees from HBCU's such as Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M in the house as well.

TransGriot Notes: Photos of 2010 TTNS Courtesy of Angela Hon Photography

Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit-Day Two

After a very interesting and informative first day on the Rice University campus seeing old friends, making new ones and discussing how we're going to protect the rights of trans people matriculating on and off Texas college campuses, we're back for Day Two of the TTNS.

When we called it a day, we were in our group breakout sessions. We'll pick up where we left off in terms of strategizing to ensure that trans Texans have safe environments to get their education.

See y'all there.

And oh yeah, happy birthday, Vanessa!

Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit-Day One Recap

I wanted to get this up earlier, but I laid down for a short nap that lasted until almost 10 PM CDT.

Better late than never with my report concerning Day One of the second annual 2010 Texas Transgender Non Discrimination Summit.

It was scheduled to kick off at 10 AM CDT on the Rice University campus and I decided to avoid the parking hassles and take METRO and MetroRail to the event.

My morning did not get off to a great start. I just missed my first bus at 8:45 AM and the next one ran a little late. I have railroad tracks up the street from the house and I presume it got delayed on its southbound leg by the early morning freight train that rumbled by waking my butt up with its whistle at 7 AM.

Speaking of trains, when I arrived at the downtown transit center at Main and Pierce streets I sprinted off the bus to the train station platform and got there just in time to watch my southbound Red Line train depart that I needed to catch to the Rice U campus. Had to wait a few minutes for the next one to arrive and got off it at the Hermann Park/Rice U station at 9:54 AM.

I'm quickly walking to the shuttle bus stop from the train station and as befitting the pattern I've already established, I missed that one as well. Fortunately there was another one that arrived moments later and I got dropped off by the friendly neighborhood driver in front of the library at 10:00 AM.

I was afraid the TTNS had started, but my pissivity over my transit buzzard's luck eased as I finally sauntered inside the Fondren Library and headed up to the third floor and pick up my badge and registration packet.

I've done this numerous times, but surprisingly in this case I was a little nervous, probably because this was the first TBLG conference I've attended in the home state since I came back.

Of course I bump into Phyllis Frye five seconds after I arrive in the Kyle Morrow Room. She gives me a big bear hug, tells me 'It's about time you came back home' and we talk for a few moments before I start circulating around the room.

I wave at Josephine Tittsworth, who is doing yeoman's work attending to all the last minute details of running a conference as part of the host committee, a position I know all too well.

The TTNS starts a few minutes later with some opening remarks from Jo. It then segues to Phyllis who talks about her law firm for a few moments, then drops the welcome news that she's been hired by Nikki Araguz to represent her.

Vanessa Edwards Foster then steps up to the podium wearing her Hollyfield Foundation board member hat. She talked about the history of the foundation that fully funded the conference so that people could attend it gratis.

Katy Stewart from Equality Texas spoke for a few moments before yielding the mic to Rosemary Hennessey from the host institution. Rosemary mentioned some upcoming events and speakers the Rice Women and Gender studies program has in store for the upcoming fall semester.

As of yet, I'm not one of them. But I may be doing speaking engagements soon at my alma mater and Texas A&M. Will keep you Aggies and Cougars posted on those developments.

We start with a moderated discussion by Katy on the trans umbrella and just how vast the definitions and terminology within it is.

We then move on to where various schools in the Lone Star State are in term of their non discrimination statements. It ranges from Texas A&M fighting their students on the issue to total inclusion and implementation by Rice and Houston Community College.

LaKeia Spady spoke about the developments at HCC, Phyllis for South Texas College of Law, Jo for the University of Houston (eat 'em up!), Brian Riedel for Rice University and Shane Whalley for the University of Texas.

We move on to our keynote speech from Randall Terrell, who talked about the political developments in Texas. It was one I was paying extremely close attention to since I'm getting back up to speed on Texas politics.

We took a break at that point for lunch, and I got a reminder of just how popular and widely read TransGriot is, especially with college students. Most of the time I have the attitude that I'm not an 'A' List blogger, but people who read the blog that I have the pleasure of interacting with say otherwise.

Several of the collegiate younglings approached me and told me how much they loved the blog and read it on a daily basis. (Thanks!) Katy Stewart remarked that she didn't realize I was 'THE' TransGriot until she overheard a few people talking about how cool it was that the TransGriot was in the house covering this TTNS.

Had other peeps from my early transition days such as Jenifer Rene Pool in the room hugging me. I was told by more than a few people they were glad I was back in the state and the Houston area.

After lunch, there was a change in the program so Phyllis could present her segment and bounce so she could prep for a critical 10 AM CDT hearing in the Araguz case. A jar was passed around to collect funds to help with the case since Nikki Araguz's finances have been frozen pending the outcome.

Phyllis took us through a history of trans law at the state and national levels and pointed out why we're starting to get court wins lately.

Phyllis' presentation dovetailed nicely into a case law presentation by the TX ACLU Houston Regional office director Maida Asofsky and law students Crystal Haly and Benedicte Nielsen before we had our chocolate break.

Yes, chocolate break. It's exactly what it sounds like. We had our choice of our fave chocolate treats to savor before heading into our small group sessions.

FYI, I had a regular Hershey bar and Reese's peanut butter cups.

It was also announced that the host institution for the 2011 summit would be Texas A&M University.

Before the break we were separated into groups, and returned to the Kyle Morrow room to discuss various subjects within those groups. My first one as a member of Group 5 was on a subject that's near and dear to my heart, transgender inclusion.

That group was moderated by Katy, and after 30 minutes were up we moved on to our next topic, Safe Zones, moderated by UH-Clear Lake's Julie Smith.

This was one I learned a lot on. I'd seen the signs outside various professor's offices at the schools I've been blessed to speak at, but until today I didn't understand the significance of them. Not surprisingly professors from the humanities departments have been more willing to be Safe Zone counselors than ones in engineering or computer science. Julie noted that at UH-Clear Lake they have several campus police command staff as part of the program.

That 30 minutes ended far too soon, and after getting chance to chat with Jo, I headed home.

See y'all tomorrow.


TransGriot Note; 2010 TTNS photos courtesy of Angela Hon Photography.

Moni's In The Middle Of The Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit

At this moment I'm on Rice University's tree shaded campus sitting in the Kyle Morrow Room of the Fondren Library. This is one of the few times you're going to see me as a UH alum write something nice about Rice University.

Anyway, back to the post.

I'm here in learning and reporter mode for the second annual Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit.

The event will focus on changing policies on college campuses to protect transgender faculty, staff, and students. We're listening to the opening speech now and the TTNS will be going on until 5 PM CDT.

There's a 6 PM CDT dinner at the Houston TG Center, but I won't be able to attend that event. I'm also interested to discover if anyone will show up for the TTNS from our local HBCU's Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M.

If you miss today's events, you'll still have tomorrow to check it out starting at 10 AM CDT.

2010 Blogging While Brown Conference

The third annual Blogging While Brown Conference stars today and runs through tomorrow at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC.

This conference for bloggers of color started in 2008 and its purpose according to the website is to facilitate conversations that lead to collaboration and innovation among bloggers of color, African American bloggers in particular.

Emphasis is placed on stimulating interaction between the attendees. All conference activities and events are aimed at fostering a shared experience which forms the basis of new relationships or strengthens relationships already in existence. Those relationships then form the basis of collaborations. Technology is important. The relationship between the attendees is more important.

For the most part, the Afrosphere has some blogs and bloggers who have gotten attention, but not to the extent our white counterparts do.

This conference is our way to nurture the growth of the Afrosphere, meet each other face to face, and explore ways to forge working relationships amongst each other.

This is one I would love to attend, but haven't been able to do so for various reasons.

Well, maybe next year.

Best of luck and hope this third edition of the Blogging While Brown Conference is just as successful as the previous editions.

International Conference on Gender Identity and Human Rights Starts Today

Another conference is starting today in Barcelona, Spain that I would have loved to have been in attendance for.

It's the International Conference on Gender Identity and Human Rights, and activists from across the planet will be gathering there starting today until June 6. Fittingly it will take place at the University of Barcelona's School of Law.

Thanks to the hard work spearheaded by Carla Antonelli, transpeople in Spain since 2007 have laws on their nation's legal books that allow them to change their identity documentation.

It's fitting that Carla is serving as the press secretary for this historic gathering of nearly 700 transactivists from around the world.

Some have been there since June 1 as part of pre-conference event working groups putting together proposals that will be discussed and voted on during the main conference.

One of the stated goals of the conference will be to not only put together a document that will set out general principles of protection relating to human rights, but also lay out specific suggestions for governments to develop legislative solutions in relation to the rights of trans people.

The conference organizers hope that the final document will become a guiding roadmap for activists and advocacy organizations on the rights of trans people worldwide.

The ultimate goal is to achieve global impact and recognition of the dignity of all transmen and transwomen and provide the means for this to be possible.

Good luck, have fun and may all of my trans brothers and sisters in attendance accomplish those goals and much more.