Click here to view a pdf of the 2010 Transgender Lives Program Book. This book contains all information relevant to the conference and a hard copy will be made available to you when you come to the registration desk on Saturday AM. The turnout and workshops for the conference this year have exceeded our expectations and we are looking forward to our best conference yet! As noted in the program book, registration is between 8 and 9 AM in the morning, so come early and enjoy the refreshments and pastries while chatting with old and new friends.
Click here for one page summary table of all workshops and a map of workshop room locations.
Click here for directions to the UCHC campus and then just follow the Conference signs to the parking.
Online registration is now closed but you can register as a walk-in day of the conference.
Transgender Legal Protections: Federal and StateJanson Wu, Esq., Staff Attorney, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (”GLAD”)
This workshop will focus on the legal protections for transgender people under Connecticut and federal law. It will discuss both the historical exclusions of transgender people under law as well as recent changes offering more hope for protection in employment, housing, education, and other areas. The workshop will also discuss the ways in which people can change government documentation to accurately reflect one’s gender identity and some limits to doing so as well. Finally, as time permits, the workshop will address family law issues for transgender people.
Facial Feminization Surgery: Maximizing Results
Jeffrey Spiegel, M.D, Chief of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Boston Medical Center
Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel discusses the goals and methods of facial feminization surgery (FFS). The discussion includes differences in the facial anatomy of males and females, theories in gender recognition and feminization, the key changes in transforming a male face to a female face and the surgical techniques used during surgery. Dr. Spiegel will review what procedures are available, how to maximize results, minimize risks, and how new technologies and medical advances have allowed for improving structural changes to bone allowing patients to experience a faster and more comfortable recovery. Full forehead reconstruction with bossing to the orbital rim, mandible shaving and sliding genioplasty, rhinoplasty, cheek augmentation, upper lip reconstruction, browlift and scalp advancement are most commonly performed during these feminization procedures. Trachea shave, blepharoplasty and rhytidectomy are also regular procedures performed during the feminization surgery. Post-operative photos will be reviewed during the discussion. Dr. Spiegel will be happy to address any questions from the audience following his presentation.
Medical Management and Treatment of the Transgender Patient
Ilja Hulinsky, MD PhD, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Internal Medicine
This workshop will first provide an introduction touching upon the (i) diagnosis, case finding and community support aspects of establishing an early diagnosis, (ii) appropriate referral patterns among community physicians and other health professionals, (iii) WPATH standards of care and (iv) recent Endocrine society guidelines for hormonal treatment of transgender patients. Secondly, this workshop will discuss the medical management of the transgender patient (i) from eligibility to readiness to medical clearance, (ii) contraindications of therapy, (iii) side effects of hormone treatment and the recent publication of data from the Belgian group in Ghent and (iv) special considerations in transgender treatment including fertility, sexual dysfunction and bone health.
Discussion Group for Transgender/Questioning Youth
Christopher Argyros, UCONN School of Law and Erik Ribera
This will be a discussion group for trans/questioning youth. All topics will be possible for discussion, but may generally include school, family, coming out, activism, and transitioning. The goal will be to create a supportive space in which to share experiences, information, and ideas.
Intersex 101 Similarities, and Differences with Intersex, and Trans People
Ms. A. Vickie Boisseau AIS, Intersex Activist/Speaker
This workshop will explore the social, legal, and medical issues faced by many Intersex people, as well as the similarities, and differences between Intersex and Trans people.
Community engagement in Trans Legislation
Sally Tarmarkin, Community Organizer for the Ct Anti-Discrimination Coalition
Workshop description and formal title pending
Take A Seat on the SOFFA Andrea Wilson, MPH, CHES, Communications Manager at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University
A SOFFA is defined as a Significant Other, Friend, Family, or Ally of a person who identifies as transsexual, transgender, or gender-variant. Our partners, friends, and family members may be questioning their gender identity, post-transition, or somewhere in between. This interactive workshop will provide a confidential space for non-trans-identified people to talk openly about their successes, challenges, fears, and delights as SOFFAs. Share your experiences and learn from others.
Taking Our Temperature: Health Care Realities for Transgender LivesM. Dru Levasseur, Esq., and Tony Ferraiolo, Co-Founders of the Jim Collins FoundationIn 2008, the APA and AMA issued resolutions stating they oppose discrimination on the basis of gender identity and support public and private health insurance coverage of transition-related care. That same year, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) issued a Clarification on Medical Necessity of Treatment, Sex Reassignment, and Insurance Coverage in the U.S. which urges “health insurance carriers and health care providers to eliminate transgender exclusions and to provide the medically prescribed sex-reassignment services necessary for [transgender people’s] treatment and well-being.” This workshop will discuss the dilemma that many transgender people face in accessing competent and respectful health care on an individual basis, as well as the challenges that transgender people face on a large scale in accessing coverage of medically-necessary treatment from private and public health insurance. Presenters are the co-founders of the Jim Collins Foundation, an organization that raises money to fund gender-confirming surgeries.Bringing your employment discrimination claim, or “How things really work”Alix Simonetti, Esq, Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, Peter Goselin, Esq., Livingston, Adler, Pulda, Meiklejohn and Kelly, P.C. and Allison SilvaTransgender Discrimination - legal issues regarding protection against discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation, how to file a discrimination claim at CHRO; the CHRO complaint process. Tips to help you through the CHRO complaint investigation and other complaint processing.Exploration of Current and Future Research on Transgender Topics Haley McCarthy, MPH, CHES and Jerimarie Liesegang, PhD, Director of Ct TransAdvocacy Coalition
For this workshop, Haley McCarthy, MPH, CHES and Jerimarie Liesegang, Director of CTAC will present what research has been or is being conducted and will host an open discussion about what key research areas are still left to explore. This workshop is geared towards folks who are interested in doing research with the Transgender community or those who are interested in helping to determine topics to cover in future research
Your Transgender Team
Dianne Ellaborn, MSW, LICSW and Joanna Frost, MSW, LICSW
Diane Ellaborn, MSW, LICSW and Joanna Frost, MSW, LICSW will assemble a panel of medical, mental health, and surgical experts to provide “expert advise” along with your peers that have undergone steps in MtF and FtM transition. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and share their own experiences.
Undoing Transphobia and Sexual Assault: Targeting the Intersections
Sara Ferah
Sexual assault is the most common form of violence in society. Both men and women suffer sexual assault though it is mostly men who sexually assault. Rigid gender roles lead to sexual violence, and rigid gender roles also lead to transphobia. Preventing sexual assault and eliminating transphobia is really one battle; to loosen up gender roles and maybe even eliminate them. Join me in working to end sexual assault and transphobia.
The Boundaries of Public and Private Identities
Luke Kovacevich
This workshop is intended to not necessarily be a formal presentation, but a discussion that explores of topic of the boundaries between our public and private identities. The essential and guiding question for the presentation will be: where are the boundaries between the private and public self? Why? We all expose ourselves to various environments throughout our days and many times we must take into consideration how much we share about ourselves, about our trans identities, and how much we keep private. What are the boundaries between these two identities? Are they clear or are they blurred? There exist gray areas, areas of uncertainty that live both in the private and public realm - what factors influence how private or public the information in these gray areas? How have these gray areas changed? How have our public and private identities changed over time? How do we create boundaries for both of these identities?
Medical Management and Treatment of the Transgender Patient
Ilja Hulinsky, MD PhD, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Internal Medicine
This workshop will first provide an introduction touching upon the (i) diagnosis, case finding and community support aspects of establishing an early diagnosis, (ii) appropriate referral patterns among community physicians and other health professionals, (iii) WPATH standards of care and (iv) recent Endocrine society guidelines for hormonal treatment of transgender patients. Secondly, this workshop will discuss the medical management of the transgender patient (i) from eligibility to readiness to medical clearance, (ii) contraindications of therapy, (iii) side effects of hormone treatment and the recent publication of data from the Belgian group in Ghent and (iv) special considerations in transgender treatment including fertility, sexual dysfunction and bone health.
The Role of the Connecticut State Department of Education in Supporting Transgender Rights
Dr. William A. Howe, State Title IX Coordinator/Civil Rights Compliance, CT State Department of Education
This workshop will outline the role of the CSDE in protecting the rights of transgender students. Participants will learn about rights under state and federal law. The process for filing complaints and a review of the various governmental and advocacy agencies will be covered. Of particular focus will be the obligations of schools to protect all students from harassment and bullying.
Living with a Transgender: Life through a Teenager’s Eyes
TS ~ High School GSA Student
A workshop on past and present family issues, and how living with a transgender individual is not as bad as everyone makes it out to be, all through the eyes of a teenager who has been through some very difficult times and survived to tell about it herself.
Finding a Trans-affirming Provider
J. Aleah Nesteby, RN, MSN, NP, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at the High Street Clinic in Springfield, MA
“Finding a Provider” We all need health care…but how do you find the right person to take care of you? We will briefly review the different types of health care providers, clinic settings and insurance programs. We’ll also go over some specific things that TG/TS patients should look for when finding a health care provider.
Hot & Safer Sexy Sex for EveryoneTR Richardson, Trainer/Community Educator at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
During this interactive, trans inclusive session, participants will have the opportunity to learn hot and sexy methods of protecting one’s self from STIs and unintended pregnancy. Since STIs do not discriminate, it is up to us to take the necessary precautions that could save our lives. And we will learn ways to make safer sex erotic and pleasurable for everyone, not to mention learn new many ways to love and protect our own bodies accurately reflect one’s gender. What we Don’t talk about when we talk about trans-sexCarole MacKenzie, LCSW, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, Michelle Hansen, Teo Yother
The clinical literature has little to say about sexuality and sex in the transgender population. While transfolks may talk about it among themselves, and the net is full of blogs, websites, suggestions and opinions, the cisgender clinical therapist has very little to go on. This workshop includes a needs assessment, an unfortunately-brief literature review, a panel discussion, and robust conversation with the attendees. There are no stupid questions and even fewer stupid answers. Open to all who are interested in a serious dialogue on human sexuality as it relates to Trans individuals. This is intended to be an adult discussion of an admittedly hard subject in our society.
When Health Care Isn’t Caring: Examining Health Care Discrimination Against Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Communities
Zahara Raine, National Community Educator, Lambda Legal, NY, NY
In 2009 Lambda Legal conducted an unprecedented nation-wide survey on health care discrimination against LGBT and HIV-affected communities. Well over 5,000 LGBT people and people living with HIV from across the country related their experiences about accessing health care during the survey. The responses received from coast to coast yielded valuable information that can be used to advocate for health care fairness. During the winter of 2009/2010 the survey data will be released so organizations and activists can use this information to educate and influence decision-makers about our health care needs. This workshop will further explore the implications of key findings from the survey data and will continue to strategize ways to combat LGBT and HIV health care disparities and discrimination. In addition, workshop participants will explore approaches to organizing a national survey of this size, develop methods of how to use the data to further local and national advocacy, and develop a common agenda from an organizing, public policy, and educational perspective. Members from Lambda Legal’s Community Education Team will facilitate this workshop.
Male privilege for trans masculine people
justin adkins, trans activist and website developer
Trans-masculine people are often ill prepared to live socially as male. When one starts to pass one is faced with a variety of social expectations that were not part of their upbringing. How do we navigate the world of male-privilege? How do we navigate the world as feminists? I’m reminded of noblesse oblige: with great privilege comes great responsibility. What does that mean to the trans-masculine person? What is our responsibility? This is also closely tied into race and sexual orientation identities. For example, the experience is much different for straight-white-male privilege compared to gay-black-male. This workshop will be an open discussion where people will be invited to participate in a community discussion. Gender Incongruence: Update and Discussion on the DSM-5 RevisionM. Dru Levasseur, Esq., Transgender Rights Attorney for Lambda Legal
The American Psychiatric Association is currently undergoing review of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) for its fifth edition with expected publication date May 2013. As part of the development process, the preliminary draft revisions are now available for public review and comment through April 20th. This workshop will provide an overview of the proposed changes to the diagnosis, “Gender Identity Disorder,” through both a legal and political lens. This presentation will be followed by a facilitated discussion about the proposed revision giving priority to the voices of people whose lives are directly affected by this diagnosis.
Hormone Therapy: Beyond Basics
Aleah Nesteby, RN, MSN, NP, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at the High Street Clinic in Springfield, MA
“Hormone Therapy” Beyond the basics, what do you need to know about hormone therapy? This workshop will review types of hormones, typical doses, side effects and routine follow-up recommendations for both MTFs and FTMs.
Community Advocacy and Organizing
Panel of T-committee and commissioners, City of Hartford LGBT Issues Commission
Community Organizing is intended to change the balance of power between the dominant, controlling forces of society and the common, often oppressed people. Examples of famous grassroots community organizing hat changed our society include women’s suffrage and the civil rights movement. However, we are usually only exposed to the result of decades of hard work and organizing. We see pictures of the marches and women and blacks voting or going to school for the first time. The transgender community is in the process of building a movement that WILL be as big as the women’s movement and the civil rights movement. It is happening as we breathe because we are making it happen. This workshop will spell out the basics of the social science of Grass-Roots Community Organizing. It will demonstrate the application of these principles in the formation and development of the City of Hartford LGBT Commission and the T Committee. The T stands for TRUTH! Members of the T Committee and the LGBT Commission will be “tellin’ it like it tis!”
Trans Inclusive Health Care: Using Nondiscrimination Laws to Challenge Insurance Exclusions
Noah Lewis, Esq.,
Removing transgender exclusions in private health insurance is an important pathway toward removing them in publicly funded health care. This workshop is a case study of a successful effort to remove one such exclusion at a Massachusetts university. Integral to that effort was a discrimination complaint brought before a local human rights commission. We will examine how nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sex and disability can be used to challenge transgender exclusions in health insurance. We will also discuss potential pitfalls and how legal efforts fit into a broader advocacy strategy. Machismo and the Transman - Overcoming the social norms of masculinity in the discovery of our own
Oscar Alexander Robles
The idea of “passing” as one changes their gender (or moves through the spectrum of gender) can be difficult and hard to navigate. How does one acclimate to this new subgroup of individuals? How can I be a man in today’s world but not lose the privileged knowledge I gained from my female history? So many times I find myself asking these questions of myself. I want to BELONG to the society that is MAN, but I don’t want to be an asshole while I’m doing it. How do we “fit in” without outing ourselves? How can we embrace our female history, but still stay in the present tense?
Legal Challenges to Transgender Exclusions in Health Insurance
Zach Strassburger, Yale Law School
Most health insurance plans create specific exclusions for transgender-related care. Some transpeople are able to access this care through doctors’ creative billing practices, but others are unable to access this care through their health insurance plans, whether private or public. This workshop examines recent policy and litigation surrounding transgender access to health care, as well as the politics of silence in the Washington health reform debates.
More Roadblocks to Transitioning
Michelle Hansen
This workshop explores the various difficulties a person faces in transitioning their life from one gender to another. These “roadblocks” come in many forms, including family, friends, work, and even sometimes the “helping” professionals. We will identify the roadblocks and look at ways of moving beyond them.
The Fourth Annual Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference is being held on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the UConn Health Center from 8:00 AM till 5 PM. This all day conference is geared towards Community, Service Providers, Medical and Legal Professionals, Trans and Gender non-conforming individuals, allies and all those interested in the Health and Law issues facing the Trans and gender non-conforming communities.
Select appropriate options below and then Add to Cart button(s) below to arrange for payment of Conference services via PayPal.
Don’t have a PayPal account? You also can use your credit card or bank account on the Cart payment page. If you would rather process your payment by mail then, instead, complete and mail in the Registration (pdf or doc) and/or Sponsorship form (pdf or doc); all documents are on upper left hand side at the TransgenderLives.org website.Call (860) 983-8139 or email conference@transadvocacy.org if you have questions or experiencing problems.
First, many thanks to all of you who have submitted some excellent workshop proposals. For others who have not yet sent in your proposal, you still have a few days. Deadline is Dec 5, 2009.
In addition to some of our key Workshop presenters, the Transgender Lives Conference organizing committee is soliciting workshop proposals for our 2010 conference. As this conference has dramatically grown over the years, we recognize that many of you have very important topics and experience which fold into our theme of The Intersection of Health and Law. Workshop space is limited and all proposals will be reviewed for applicability and relevance to the Conference theme and audience. If you feel you have a workshop that would benefit the conference please complete the workshop proposal submission form located doc here and pdf here.The form is also on our Conference website at TransgenderLives.org.
Please be sure to have your proposal in our hands no later than December 5, 2009. The committee will then review all proposals and select those that will best serve the interests and needs of the Conference attendees.
In addition to some of our key Workshop presenters, the Transgender Lives Conference organizing committee is soliciting workshop proposals for our 2010 conference. As this conference has dramatically grown over the years, we recognize that many of you have very important topics and experience which fold into our theme of The Intersection of Health and Law. Workshop space is limited and all proposals will be reviewed for applicability and relevance to the Conference theme and audience. If you feel you have a workshop that would benefit the conference please complete the workshop proposal submission form located here. The form is also on our Conference website at TransgenderLives.org
Please be sure to have your proposal in our hands no later than November 15, 2009. The committee will then review all proposals and select those that will best serve the interests and needs of the Conference attendees.
Register will be open soon for the third annual Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference being held on Saturday, April 17 at the UCONN Health Center from 8:00 AM till 5 PM. This all day conference is geared towards Service Providers, Medical and Legal Professionals, Trans and Gender non-conforming community, allies and all those interested in the Health and Law isues facing the Trans and gender non-conforming communities. For up to the minute Conference news go to our website at www.TransgenderLives.org
Conference Agenda
Participate in a day long conference that will challenge your views, expand your horizions and engage you with a topic that many of us take for granted: Trans Health and Law!The goal of this conference is for participants to leave with a better understanding of the issues facing Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in the area of
* Health care
* Legal protections and documentation
* Employment & Education
Registration is suggested at $25 for Individuals, $50 for Agency Personnel, though no one will be turned away due to registration cost. Please check sponsorship box in the registration form if you would like to be considered for a paid sponsorship to the conference.
UCONN Health Center
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, Connecticut 06030
Saturday, April 17,2010 8:00AM-5:00 PM
Registration Information Registration is suggested at $25 for Individuals, $50 for Agency Personnel, though no one will be turned away due to registration cost. Please indicate under special needs in the registration form if you would like to be considered for a paid sponsorship to the conference. eMail us at info@transadvocacy.org if you have any questions.
UCONN Health Center
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, Connecticut 06030
Saturday, April 17,2010 8:00AM-5:00 PM
Thank you for Registering and/or Sponsoring of the 2010 Transgender Lives Conference. You will receive a confirmation email within the next business day or so.
Directions
Conference is in the Academic building of the UConn Health Center. Building A on the campus map (click to view) and closest parking are Lots C, B, D and K.
Driving Directions From Bradley International Airport
Follow Route 20 to I-91 South to I-84 West in Hartford. Follow I-84 West about 7 miles to Exit 39 which is after 39A. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Route 4 East (Farmington Avenue). At the third traffic light, turn right to enter the Health Center campus.
From Farmington Center
Stay on Route 4 East/Farmington Avenue. As you drive up the hill toward I-84, stay in the right lane and follow the signs as Route 4 East/Farmington Avenue loops to the right and crosses the I-84 access road. At the fourth traffic light, turn right to enter the Health Center campus.
From West Hartford Center
Stay on Farmington Avenue/Route 4 West. The Health Center is about 3.3 miles on the left.
From Route 44 Canton/Avon
Proceed on Route 44 eastbound through Avon. Turn right onto Route 10 South/Waterville Road. Turn left onto Talcott Notch Road and continue to Farmington Avenue/Route 4 West. Turn right; the Health Center is a 1/4 mile on the left.
From I-84
Take Exit 39 (if coming from I-84 West, Exit 39 is after 39A). Turn right at the first traffic light onto Route 4 East (Farmington Avenue). At the third traffic light, turn right to enter the Health Center campus.
From Northbound Route 9
Take Exit 32 (left exit) onto I-84 West and stay in the right lane. Take Exit 39 (first exit). Turn right at the first traffic light onto Route 4 East (Farmington Avenue). At the third traffic light, turn right to enter the Health Center campus.
To Return to Route 9
From the Farmington Avenue entrance on the Lower Campus, take a left onto Route 4 West/Farmington Avenue. At the second light, take a left onto South Road. At the first stop sign, turn right and follow the signs to Route 9 South (you will enter I-84 East briefly prior to exiting onto Route 9 South).
To Return to I-84 East or West
From the Farmington Avenue entrance on the Lower Campus, take a left onto Route 4 West/Farmington Avenue. At the third light, take a left towards the highway entrance ramps and follow the signs staying right for I-84 West or staying left for I-84 East.
Bus Routes
The UConn Health Center is on CTTransit bus routes E, E1, E6, E7 and F. For current weekday and weekend schedules, call CTTransit at 860-525-9181 or visit their web site.
Welcome to Transgender Lives 2010: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference.
Participate in a day long conference that will challenge your views, expand your horizions and engage you with a topic that many of us take for granted: Trans Health and Law!
Conference Sponsors
Ct Anti-Discrimination Coalition ~ Gold Sponsor
Ct Outreach Society ~ Organizing Sponsor
Ct TransAdvocacy Coalition ~ Organizing Sponsor
Ct Women's Education and Legal Fund ~ Organizing Sponsor
Glenn Koetzner, Crazy Dog Photography ~ Gold Sponsor
Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective ~ GOLD Sponsor
Hartford LGBT Issues Commission ~ Silver Sponsor
Lambda Legal ~ Silver Sponsor
Love Makes A Family ~ Financial Sponsor
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England ~ Silver Sponsor
