NABJ and Philly Trans Wellness Conference Also Meeting This Week

There are two other conventions important to my life as an unapologetically Black  trans feminine writer and journalist that are happening as I sit here in New Orleans awaiting the start of Netroots Nation

And noting when I looked at the calendar that three events I wanted to attend were happening in different parts of the country at literally the same time meant I had to make a hard call on which one I would attend 

Being asked to do the panels at Netroots Nation and it occurring in NOLA made that hard call easier,  but it still isn't going to be easy to miss my trans fam or my NABJ family, much less the convos taking place at both conferences.

In the Motor City, the National Association of Black Journalists are gathering starting today and running through August 5  at the Detroit Marriott at Renaissance Center.

I've always wanted to attend an NABJ event, and the first time I got to do so came when it was held in Boston in 2014.    I was there to participate in a panel with Kellee Terrell and Kenyon Farrow on the topic of properly reporting about transgender people moderated by Tiq Milan.

Two years late I received the amazing experience of attending the joint NABJ-NAHJ Unity event in Washington DC at the historic Wardman park Hotel.

During a presidential election year, both the NABJ and the National Assn of Hispanic Journalists organizations hold their conventions there.  It is an amazing opportunity to network with members of both organizations    In addition to meeting my journalistic heroes and sheroes in the African American and Latinx journalism worlds , I also got to witness the panels and the press conference with Hillary Clinton

Starting at the same time as #NN18 is one of the largest trans conference s in the United States in the now Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference at the Philadelphia Convention Center.

Probably because of its location in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, it draws up to 3000 people for its panel discussions and professional medical tracks.

It's the event where I also met Jazz Jennings and her amazing family, and met Nicole Maines and her family in addition to having the opportunity to participate in some panels. 

I have been attending the now PTWC since 2012, and the last time I was there for it was in 2016 for not only the conference, but a Trans United Fund board meeting.

That 2016 one I got there after a fun ride up I-95 with Fiona Dawson after we'd been to the White house for the LGBT Pride Reception.  I got to spend some quality time with not only the TUF board and my friends in the community, but my homegirl Dionne Stallworth

That 2016 event is also memorable for me because the morning I was preparing to leave the city to go back to Washington DC, I began hearing the news about the horrific Pulse mass shooting in Orlando.

To my friends attending the NABJ and PTWC, sorry I can't be there because I'm in NOLA, but definitely will be thinking about y'all as I'm scarfing down my beignets.

BTAC 2018 Is Coming Soon

In case you're wondering why I haven't posted much about the 2018 Black Trans Advocacy Conference, it's because I haven't had much information to share lately about it until now.

The BTAC 2018 theme is Journeying Together: Living In Greater Truth and Healing.

I've known since BTAC 2017 closed out that the dates for the 7th annual event were April 23-29.  What I didn't know is that the conference will have a new host hotel for 2018, the Wyndham Dallas Suites-Park Central after two years of being in suburban Addison, TX.

The Wyndham Dallas Suites- Park Central host hotel is located at 7800 Alpha Road not far from the intersections of the LBJ Freeway (I-635) and the North Central Expressway.   I also noted when I pulled it up in Google Maps there's an In and Out located nearby and like the old hotel, it's not far from the Dallas Galleria for those of you who like to shop.

BTAC has people from across the state of Texas, the country and even our international trans fam attend this event.   It's always a pleasure to see Neish McLean from Jamaica and Dora Santana from Brazil there to bring their African Diaspora perspectives of being Black and trans to our panel discussions and general conversations. 

And it's the conversations and fun we have in our hospitality suite that make this week in Dallas even more memorable   

Some attendees have stated post conference that attending BTAC has led to a positive change in their own lives.  That week in Dallas is a welcome oasis from the desert of negativity we face as Black trans people.

Even if you can't come for the entire BTAC week, show up for the weekend  or a day or two.

In case you're concerned about SB 6, it is NOT law in the state of Texas because Black Trans Texans were part of the coalition last year  that helped kill it twice in the regular and Special Oppression Session.  Dallas has had since 2002 a nondiscrimination ordinance in place that protects trans people from discrimination. 

So come on down to the Lone Star State, see and meet your Black trans fam and our allies, get your learn on and have some fun.

BTAC 2018 will not only comprise 50 seminars, but have the features you all love like the  TransManifest Live! talent show, the Black Trans Advocacy Awards Gala, the Mr and Ms Black Trans International pageants, the Black Trans Family Reunion day and the Black Diamond Freedom Party and Rumble Ball. 

For those of you considering attending BTAC 2018 who care about sporting things, while we are  having fun at our host hotel getting to chill out, get our learn and grub on and spending quality time together, the Dallas area will also be playing host to the 2018 NFL Draft at Jerry World (AKA AT&T Stadium), and The Star, the Dallas Cowboys world headquarters in nearby Frisco, TX .

The BTAC conference is usually the start of my extended Cuatro de Mayo birthday week celebration. 

It's one of my fave conferences in large part because it's one of the few that centers my people and our culture.   I've been coming to it since I was honored to give a keynote speech at it in 2013, which was the first one opened to trans feminine participation. 

I'm looking forward to administering more domino beatdowns during that week in Dallas. 

Yeah, I said it.  And I'm more than prepared to back it up as people found out last year during Family Reunion Day.

So this year's BTAC 2018 conference not only is in a new hotel, but it is positioned to be the biggest and best one ever. 

Hope to see y'all in my home state for this one  .

TTNS 2017- Day 2

It's Day 2 of the 9th annual edition of the Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit, and it's the day I get to do my Contemporary Texas Trans History.

I enjoyed Day 1, in which I not only got to hear Babs Siperstein's speech, but spend some quality time with her  Phyllis Frye and a few other folks.

Got a chance to not only hang out with old friends, but meet some new ones in the process.

I mentioned that the Blueberry Festival was happening in Nacogdoches, and one of our events was impacted by it.

Our 5:30 PM reception got cut short of it's 7 PM end time because of the setup taking place on Main Street in historic downtown Nacogdoches for the Festival.

Us leaving early to ensure the car didn't get towed from the parking area that was also going to be used for festival vendors allowed me, Kayla, and Rebecca to go back to our now sold our host hotel.

My gameplan was to take a short power nap, then do some more writing and prep for my session, but ended up waking up about 10 PM.  

But back to the TTNS Day 2 story.

We'll be back in the Twilight Ballroom of the Pattillo Student Center for breakfast and to be welcomed by Dr. Janet Tareilo, SFA's Associate Provost for Academic Affairs.

We'll then start the concurrent sessions for the day at 9:40 AM before breaking to hear our Day 2 keynote speaker Jeremy Ivester.  My session will be part of the Concurrent session block that starts at 12:30 PM.

Once the concurrent session are completed around 3:30 PM, the TTNS closing ceremonies take place with remarks from our emcee Jenifer Rene Pool and TTNS founding Executive Director Josephine Tittsworth before we bring this year's edition of the Texas Transgender NOndiscrimination Summit to a close.

We'll then start the countdown to 2018 and bringing the TTNS back where it started, to the University of Houston campus for its 10th Anniversary edition. .

TTNS 2017- Day1

I'm here on the Stephen F Austin State University campus in their Baker Patillo Student Center to check out the happenings for this year's 9th edition of the Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit

Our first day of action kicks off with the TNNS opening from Josephine Tittsworth, our emcee Jenifer Rene Pool and welcome from Dr. Adam Peck the Associate VP of University Affairs.  

Our keynote speaker will be Babs Siperstein, and after lunch, the concurrent sessions start and run until  4 PM , then we close out TTNS Day 1 with a reception at the Cole, Art Center from 5:30 -7 PM.

And we also hit Nacogdoches the same weekend as their annual Texas Blueberry Festival is hitting historic downtown Nacogdoches , so this should be an interesting time here on the SFA campus.
.  

Southern Comfort Conference Shuts Down

I first encountered the Southern Comfort Conference when it was being held at a hotel in the Buckhead area in 1999, and returned a year later to not only attend it but take part in an NTAC board meeting we held while we were in the ATL for it.

The last time I attended it was in 2004, and it saddened and shocked me to hear that this year's 2016 edition of the Southern Comfort Conference that was held in Fort Lauderdale was the last one.

Here's the announcement from the SCC board.

***

Dear SCTC family,

It is with a heavy heart that we must announce that 2016 was the last The Southern Comfort Transgender Conference (SCTC) as you have known it for the past 26 years.

What most of you don’t know is that we, the Southern Comfort Board of Directors (both current and a couple of past members), have been involved in a five year lawsuit that only recently concluded. Please don’t ask. As part of the settlement, we cannot discuss it at all.

Suffice it to say that it was a five year nightmare that completely handcuffed the BOD. Some have wondered why there were no new people brought onto the board. Now you know. Anyone that would have joined the BOD would have become unnecessarily involved in the litigation.

Fortunately, we did have liability insurance and that covered the legal fees of the case. However, as a result of being in a five year lawsuit, we were dropped by our insurance company (though they were obligated to continue until the lawsuit was resolved, which they did). Subsequently, SCTC had to find a new insurance policy. Only two companies would even offer a policy to us. Our premium went from $1300.00/year with no deductible to $11,000.00/year with a $25,000.00 deductible.

We just can’t afford this and, this lawsuit proved that we (the current BOD) simply cannot afford to run the conference without insurance. Had we not had the insurance policy, we would have been personally liable.

There is talk amongst a couple of the BOD to try to reorganize SCTC into something very new. Please continue your Facebook and Yahoo group presence to stay informed; any future updates on any plans will be posted to keep you informed. Otherwise, any money that is left in our account, which is being held in escrow by our attorney, will be donated to a worthy trans organization.

We’re sorry to bring you this sad news right before the holidays, but you deserve to know what’s going on.

It has been our extreme honor to serve you all throughout the years and we wish you all the best!

With love,
Your SCC/SCTC Board of Directors:
Shanti Keshavi devi dasi (Stefanie Schumacher)
Alexis Dee
Christy Anderson
Phyllis McCall
***

It's sad when our community loses an event like this, and makes the ones still remaining like Colorado Gold Rush, Fantasia Fair,  the Philly Trans Health Conference, and the Black Trans Advocacy Conference. Those trans themed events are needed and necessary for us to build community and meet your other trans siblings you may not get a chance to meet otherwise.

Those conferences with the demise of SCC, are even more precious to us and necessary to support and I hope you'll do that in 2017 and beyond.

Texas Trans Pioneer Linda Phillips Passes Away

Was sad to hear the news via Gordene MacKenzie's Facebook page that pioneering Texas trans woman Linda Phillips has passed away suddenly at age 81 on Monday

Linda Phillips had been crossdressing since age 3,  and had the epiphany that she was trans,and transitioned later in her life.   She married Cynthia on January 10, 1958 in Dallas.

 Linda and Cynthia  were well known figures in many of the Central and South Texas transgender organizations in the late 80's and 1990's , and joined the Boulton and Park Society shortly after its 1986 founding

Linda was the past editor of the Heart of Texas Gender Association newsletter Cross Currents, and Gender Euphoria, the Boulton and Park Society newsletter. in addition to serving as the organization's Secretary and Treasurer.  As one of the principal organizers for the Texas T Party, Linda also served as the Secretary and President of the Texas T Party conference.

The Texas 'T' Party that started in the late 80's was the Texas based trans themed convention held in San Antonio that grew to become the largest trans themed conference on the planet at the time before it ended in 1996.  

That Texas T Party conference was also important in not only connecting the national trans community of that time to each other, but also led to the start of the series of Houston based ICTLEP trans policy conferences from 1992-1996 that became the foundation of the modern trans rights advocacy movement.

The couple also spent the 1990's discussing their longtime transgender-cisgender relationship on talk show television, at colleges and universities and serving on the board of the International Foundation For Gender Education (IFGE).  Their papers are archived at the University of Texas -San Antonio

My condolences to her wife Cynthia, and I thank them both for being pioneering possibility models for my generation of trans people to follow.   I'm even prouder to note that they were fom my home state and setting the leadership bar high for future Texas trans leaders to emulate.

We have lost another trans pioneer, and while she will be missed, Linda Phillips will not be forgotten.

TransGriot Note: Linda's in the white cowboy hat in the first  photo on the left, and on the right in the second one with her spouse Cynthia. 

As of yet haven't heard any information concerning a date or location for either the funeral or memorial service.  I will pass that info along as soon as I receive it.

Moni's In The TTNS 2016 House!

Well people, after a 200 mile one way bus trip that was scheduled to start at 8:15 AM CDT from Houston's Greyhound station through Austin with a bus transfer, I've finally arrived at my hotel in Killeen, called Mom and Dee Dee, and settled into my hotel room to do some prep for my speech tomorrow

It wouldn't be one of my road trips without some issue or drama.  The bus from Austin to Killeen had no working air conditioning.  Hello, this is Texas in the summer.  Ac is a basic requirement for travel satisfaction.   Wasn't Greyhound's fault, it was a regional carrier.

Called myself trying to get some sleep before this trip, but that didn't happen especially since I had to get up and this was one of those my butt needs to be at the Greyhound terminal on time and early to catch that 8:15 AM bus out of here.

The Texas A&M University-Central Texas is one of the newer schools in the Texas A&M University system, and the campus is in the shadow of Fort Hood, one of the largest military bases in the US.

One of the interesting tidbits I discovered while doing some research for my speech is that Tia and Tamera Mowry spent some time here in Killeen because their Army parents were stationed here for several years  Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III also lived near here and went to high school in Copperas Cove, TX before heading off to Baylor.   Elvis Presley was also stationed here at Fort Hood during his time in the Army along with major league ballplayer and humanitarian Jackie Robinson.

Will probably take a break to watch Hillary Clinton's historic Democratic presidential nomination acceptance speech and the one by Sarah McBride for #DNCinPhilly, but really looking forward to once again being at the Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit.

For those of you in Central Texas, you still have time to join us tomorrow on the Texas A&M Central Texas campus for not only my Friday keynote and Judge Phyllis Frye's keynote on Saturday, but for all the informative seminars that will be taking place both days,


 

Headed To Killeen, TX For The TTNS

Today begins three consecutive weeks of travel for events that will see me going to Killeen, TX for the 8th annual Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit as its  keynote speaker and to teach a Texas Trans 101 seminar, Washington DC for the joint NABJ-NAHJ convention, August 3-7 and to Chautauqua, NY for an August 11 interview with Janet Mock from their historic amphitheater stage as part of their Pushing Our Bodies Limits summer lecture series.

But before I pile up the frequent flyer miles, it's off to central Texas by Greyhound via Austin to my final destination of Killeen and the Texas A&M -Central Texas campus in the shadow of Fort Hood for the TTNS.

And yep, already enrolled in Greyhound's frequent mileage program.

This is the eighth annual edition of the TTNS, and when i step on campus it will officially be the  seventh consecutive TTNS I have attended.   This one is special because it will be my first TTNS I get the honor and opportunity to deliver a keynote address for it, and I'm excited about that.

I'm also looking forward to seeing old and new friends on the Texas A&M Central Texas campus for this growing  conference, and see y'all in a few hours..

The 15th Annual Philadelphia Trans Health Conference Starts Today

Something else that is taking place a little over 100 miles from me is the opening day of the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference.  It is arguably the largest attended trans themed event in the world, and will draw close to 3000 attendees to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. .

Looking forward to being there for the morning panel I'll be taking part in on June 10 with Mari Brighe, Joanna Cifredo and Brynn Tannehill, and looking forward to seeing everyone who is in attendance.

So don'tr be shy, say hi to moi if you spot me walking the halls of that ginormous convention center.  I'll probably be in conversations with a lot of people while I'm  there, and would love to do the same with those of you in attendance from the nation and around the world.

See y'all tomorrow at #PTHC2016 after I handle my DC business.

Fantasia Fair Day 3

Day three of Fantasia Fair, and what on the agenda for today after I spent most of it making a little trans history and hanging out at Roomers with some of the other Fantasia fair attendees until 12 AM?

I get to watch Denise Norris do her keynote speech, and have my eye on two seminars by Dr Miqqi Gilbert..

The big event closing out tonught is the eagerly anticipated fashion show hosted by Temperance and Luna Maria.    Luna has been trying to get me o participate in it, but I told her I had my day in the sun yesterday, and it was time for someone else to have their opportunity to have some time in the spotlight.

I`ll be cheering on the participants from the audience unless I cut out early to watch `Empire`

Fantasia Fair Day 1

After my travel day, and attending the welcome reception last night, and dealing with an unexpected cold snap in which the temps dived down into near freezing territory , getting up and getting ready for the first day of Fantasia Fair action here in Provincetown.

So what's on the schedule for today?

There's an orientation brunch at the Crown and Anchor, the first seminars of Fantasia Fair 41, and later/tonght at 6 PM the Town and Gown Dinner.

After we get our grub on,  at 8 PM Scott Turner Schofield (yep, THE same one from Bold and the Beautiful) takes the stage at the Provincetown Theater to perform his comedic play Debutante Balls.

An interesting first day to start off this Fantasia fair 41 week.

SCC 2015 In New Locale

For the first time since its founding 25 years ago, a Southern Comfort Conference will not be taking place in the Atlanta metro area or the state of Georgia.

For the next three years it will be held in Fort Lauderdale, FL.   This edition of SCC kicked off September 29 and will conclude its first year in the Sunshine State on October 5.

Wasn't planning on going since my 35th high school reunion was falling this weekend, and the last time i even attended SCC was when it was in easy driving range of Louisville back in 2004.

At any rate, for those who are planning on going or are already in south Florida, hope you  meet some new and lifelong friends, network and most importantly, have fun.

The Air Marshal Is Headed To Chicago

For the second straight week I'm boarding an airplane at Hobby that will fly to Chicago. 

And if Southwest handled their aviation business properly, I should be airborne as you read this.

But this time when I arrive there I'll be getting off and leaving the confines of Midway Airport to head to the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place for a Transgender Law Center organized National Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Anti-Violence Convening on Friday and Saturday.

The Color of Violence Conference will also be convening while we are here. and as I'm flying toward the Chicago area will be kicking off with two per-conference institutes before the opening plenary that features our sis CeCe McDonald.

I'm going to try to find some time while I'm up here in the Windy City to not only see some of my Chicago based trans family, but make another pilgrimage to Giordano's to destroy another deep dish pizza.

And while I'm up here, the Trans 100 reveal show at the Mayne Stage will also take place on Sunday, so I;m going to have a activity filled weekend before I head back to H-town.

9th Annual TRANSforming Gender Conference This Weekend

I had the honor and pleasure of being a keynote speaker for the 2008 edition of this event, and this weekend will mark the 9th annual edition of the TRANSforming Gender Conference March 13-14 sponsored by the University of Colorado's LGBTQ Resource Center,

The keynote speakers this year will be TPOCC board member Mattee Jim and Amos Mac.

If you're in the Boulder area, you may wish to check the TRANSforming Gender Conference out on the picturesque CU campus that's FREE and open to the public, and hear these two dynamic speakers in addition to checking out the workshops and seminars.

T- 2 Months And Counting Until BTAC 2015

Well peeps, one of my fave events is rapidly approaching, and not just because it's in my Texas stomping grounds.

It happens to fall very close to my Cuatro de Mayo birthday.

It's the 2015 edition of the Black Trans Advocacy Conference in Dallas from April 27-May 3 at the Doubletree Campbell Center, and it's bigger and badder than ever.

In addition to the informative seminars, Family Fun Day, the Mr. and Ms. BTPS pageant and the Black Diamond Ball and Awards Gala, the keynote speakers this year will be Miss Major Griffin-Gracy and Tiq Milan.

Registration is now open for the event, and FYI, the DART light rail system now runs from DFW to the hotel via the Orange Line and the Lovers Lane station.

For those of you taking Megabus to Dallas, the DART downtown transit center on E/ Olive St. is where the Megabus drop off/pickup stop is located, and it's a short two block walk from the St/ Paul and the Pearl /Arts District stations.

So now that I've broken down how you can get to the hotel from DFW and the Dallas downtown Megabus terminal, hope to see some of you peeps in he Lone Star State for the Black Trans Advocacy Conference and my early birthday celebration.

PTHC 2015 Workshop Deadline Is Friday

The 2015 edition of the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference will be happening June 4-6, and the deadline for submitting proposed workshops and panels is fast approaching.

The Philadelphia Trans Health Conference is considered the largest trans themed conference in the United States, and draws international attendees as well as trans people from across the country.

If you want to present a workshop at PTHC, need to get it in to them by Friday January 30.

The PTHC team is also interested in proposals that target the African-American and Latino/a trans communities, trans masculine people, and Professional Development tracks just to name a few areas they are interesting in having programming and workshops for.

I attended my first ever PHTC last year and really enjoyed the experience and the people I met there including Jazz, and hope that I can return for the 14th annual edition of the event this year.   I also encourage those of you in range of Philadelphia and our trans community allies to consider attending this free conference that will be housed at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.   You just need to register for it.

If you have any other questions about the PTHC that are not answered on their website, please contact PTHC coordinator Samantha Dato at sdato@mazzonicenter.org

And you have until Friday to get those workshop proposals into the PTHC organizing team

Being Honored With A 2015 Transgender Pioneer Award!

One of the long running transgender themed conventions I have never been able to attend is the Fantasia Fair in Provincetown, MA.

Fantasia Fair is the oldest and longest running annual trans themed event of its kind, having first started in 1975 in this LGBT friendly resort town on Cape Cod... 

Even going back to my Air Marshal days, I've always wanted to attend Fantasia Fair, but for various reasons including the timing of it, I was never able to make my schedule work for that to happen. 

When the 2015 edition of it kicks off October 19-26, I'll finally be in the Fantasia Fair house

I was informed earlier today that  I will be honored with the 2015 Virginia Prince Transgender Pioneer Award.   I was not only shocked to find out this is happening, I'll be making a little history when I do so.  I will be the first African-American trans person ever to receive it.

The Transgender Pioneer Award is given by the nonprofit Real Life Experiences, and it honors leaders in trans* communities who have freely given of their time, energy, and money, often at a private cost to their careers and personal relationships.

So yes, I have a few months to put together a keynote speech for it.   Also looking forward to to the trip to that part of the country and hope we'll have some wonderful October weather in Provincetown for it.

Interesting SCC 2014 Starts Today

When this year's edition of the Southern Comfort Conference kicks off in suburban Atlanta today, it's going to be noteworthy for several reasons.  

In addition to the news that HRC President Chad Griffin will be one of the keynote speakers for it on Friday, it's noteworthy for the bombshell news that this will be the last one in the Atlanta metro area for a while.

It's also noteworthy that once again, the SCC organizers failed to reach out to ATL transpeople of color leaders, but what else is new?

Southern Comfort, which has been held and was born in Atlanta in 1991 and was featured in the 2001 documentary of the same name about the life of transman Robert Eads, is rumored to be heading to Fort Lauderdale, FL  for three years starting in 2015.

All eyes in Trans World will be turned in the direction of the ATL from today until September 7 for the developments and news that come out of it 

Transgender Faith and Action Network Conference Starts Friday

Unfortunately won't be there in Charlotte for this year's event after keynoting what was then known as the TransFaith in Color Conference in 2012. 

It has a new name, the Transgender Faith and Action Network Conference, but it is the same North Carolina based event I had the pleasure of attending two years ago. 

This year's TFAAN event will kick off Friday in the Queen City and run through August 31.. 

This year's keynote speaker will be longtime advocate and my Left Coast sis Valerie Spencer, and it's too bad I'm going to miss hearing it.  

But back to focusing on the 2014 edition of the TFAAN Conference.   For those of you that make it to the University Hilton house, you're about to enjoy an event that will live up to this year's theme of 'Education That Leads To Success'.   Best of all, the TFAAN Conference is free.  All you need to do is just  register for it in order to check out these informative seminars, panel discussions and events.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29th   (all times EST)

8:30a - 9:00a Interfaith Prayer/Opening Remarks
Moderator: Bishop Tonyia Rawls, Freedom Center
For Social Justice

9:00a - 10:30a
Opening Plenary Panel:
How Welcoming Are We Really?
Moderator: Asher Kolieboi, Vanderbilt Seminary
Panelists: OmiSade Ali, Ordained Orisha Priest, Chris Paige, TransFaith and Jacob Hero, The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF)

10:45a - Noon

Block 1 Clergy in Specialized Fields
Presenters: Minister Louis Mitchell, TransFaith

Block 2 Trans* 101 for Allies
Presenters: Rev. Dawn Flynn, New Life MCC and Parker T. Hurley, Transgender People of Color
Coalition (TPOCC)

Block 3 Changing Policy in a Changing World
Moderator: J Mase
Presenters: Sharon Groves, HRC; Kylar W. Broadus, The Task Force (NGLTF) and Sharon Lettman-Hicks, National Black Justice Coalition

Noon - 1:30p
Opening Lunch
Keynote Speaker: Angel Collie, Metropolitan Community Church

1:45p - 3:00p
Block 1 The Transitions Within the Transition
Moderator: Randall Suah
Presenters: Andraya Williams, Justine Matlock and Achim Howard

Block 2 Your Health: The Mind and the Body
Presenters: Dr. Lisa Griffin, Dr. Rhett Brown, Dr. Jocie Sweeney

Block 3 Aging: Let Me Tell You A Story
Presenters: Serena Worthington, Services Advocacy for GLBT Elders and Barbara Satin, NGLTF - Practice Spirit, Do Justice Program

3:15p - 4:30p
Block 1
Trans* Youth in Schools: Multiple Perspectives
Moderator: Todd Rosendahl, Time Out Youth
Panelists: Scout Rosen, Central Piedmont Community College student; Lux Cuellar, UNCC student; Blake Brockington, UNCC student and Matthew Rice, Charlotte School System teacher

Block 2 Our Special Walk: Partners of Trans* People
Presenters: Sandra Whittington-Boone, Mel Goodwin, Marage Blakeney, Ray Austin and Diane Coe

Block 3 Know Your Rights
Presenters: Kelly Durden and Sarah Demarest, Freedom Center for Social Justice LGBTQ
Law Center; Mariana Toledo-Hernandez, Immigration Attorney; Stacy King, Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office

5:00p - 7p
Opening Reception
Special Guest Musical Performance

7:00p - 8:30p
Young Folk Gathering (Ages 16-30)
Coordinated by Sponsored by Campus Pride

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30th

8:30a - 10:00a
2014 TFAAN Awards Breakfast

Keynote Speaker: Valerie Spencer, Antioch University
Pioneer Award: Andrea Jenkins and Louis Mitchell
Rising Star Award: Michael David Battle
Ally Award: Rev. Dr. William Barber, President of the NC NAACP and Heath Morrison, Superintendent, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
Youth Award: Blake Brockington and Andraya Williams
Bobbie Jean Baker Award: Ms. Tracee McDaniels

10:15a - 11:30a
Block 1 Name and Gender Marker Changes in NC and Beyond
Presenter: The Freedom Center for Social Justice LGBTQ Law Center

Block 2 What's Moving The Landscape?
Presenter: Cecilia Chung, The Transgender Law Center

Block 3 Trans* Youth In Action
Facilitator: Sarah Alwran, Time Out Youth
Panelists: Parker Smith, President of TransAction at Appalachian State University, Pam Smith,
mother of Parker Smith, Trans* Activist, AJ Willis, University of North Carolina, Charlotte student, President of Transport at UNCC, Scout Rosen, CPCC Student, President of SPECTRUM

Noon - 1:30p
Lunch on your Own

1:30p - 2:45p
Block 1 Trans* Employment: Old Challenges and New Opportunities

Block 2 The Power of Trans* History
Presenters: Andrea Jenkins, Artist, Poet and Activist; Allyson Robinson, Warrior Poet Strategies

Block 3 HIV and the Trans* Community
Presenters: Achim Howard, Unity Fellowship Church, Jermaine Nakia Lee, Powerhouse Project, and Chelsea White, RAIN

3:00p - 4:30p
Block 1 LGBT and the Bible
Presenter: Rev. Cedric Harmon, Many Voices

Block 2 Embracing Paradox: Gender, Sexuality, Spirituality
Presenters: Pacific School of Religion, TFAAN and NGLTF

Block 3 The Power of the Vote
Presenter: The Moral Freedom Summer Campaign

5:00p - 7:00p
Dinner On Your Own and Networking

8:00p - Midnight
TFAAN PARTY
Music, Lite Delectables and an Incredible Time
Guest DJ: Buddy Love
Location: The Venue, 1801 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31st

8:30 - 9:30am
Closing Interfaith Service
Preaching  Rev. Brendan Whittington-Boone
Musical Guest: Sacred Souls Community Church Choir

NOTE: Schedule subject to moderate change.

For those of you in Charlotte for the Trans Faith And Action Network Conference, hope you have a wildly successful and wonderful event, and hope I'm blessed to be with you next year as an attendee or participant.   

PTHC 2014 Diary-Day Three Recap

It's the last day of the 2014 Philadelphia Trans Health Conference, and my body told me it was time to get more sleep than I have been getting the last two nights.

So after I did some writing and had breakfast, decided to take a little nap before heading to the convention center.  That little nap lasted until 10 AM, so guess my body needed the sleep. 


After shaking off the cobwebs, I spent some time after I arrived at the convention center hanging out with my Houston peeps Jay, Robin, Koomah and the rest of the gang at The Gender Book table.  Did the same with Jeanette and family at their foundation table, and the BTMI-Philly chapter table

I spent more quality time with Dr Lobdell.  I talked to some of my TransGriot fans and with others plotting the Black Trans Revolution that won't be televised.   Even saw Kye Allums for a moment before he headed back to New York and Kylar Broadus.

And I popped my head in for a few moments at the Justice For Jane event in room 109A.

The first seminar I attended on this final day was a 2:20 PM Simaya Fogle moderated one entitled "Transitioning In The Black Family'   The panel with Lisa, Ebonee, Destiny, Christian, Leo and cis man Tierre told transition stories from a black perspective.   Tierre was on the panel to discuss the issues of being in a dating relationship with a trans woman.

Hmm, sounds like a panel topic that needs to happen for next year

It led to some commenters revealing some deeply personal secrets which will remain off the record for this post.

During the 4:05 PM block I attended Ebonee's seminar in Room 104A entitled 'Get Your Tens And Make Me Know It!!!'    The seminar discussed the ballroom and pageant worlds and how both can be used as tools of empowerment and self growth for trans women of color.

In between those seminars, the sidebar meetings kept happening, people continued to connect with each other, and information was disseminated in the scheduled sessions until the last ones wrapped up at 7:00 PM.

And when that last seminar closed, so did the 2014 edition of the Philly Trans Health Conference. 

I had a wonderful first timer experience at the PTHC.  It was a blast getting to meet many of the people I've been talking to online for years and in one or two cases over a decade.

And yes, was nice to get out of Houston's warm, humid weather for three days.


But all good things must come to an end, and that is the case for this PTHC conference.  While I'm sad it has come to a close, the memories of this event and hopefully the friendships and working partnerships started here will last for a lifetime.

It's also time to take what we learned during these three days here back to our various hometowns and countries.  Once we arrive back home, let's put into practice what was discussed in those sessions and in the conversations away from the conference venue.

And hopefully I'll get to see everyone next year for the 2015 edition of PTHC.