Summit Schedule
Session 1 (9:45am – 11:00am)
Building a Community: Communication Skills & Conflict Resolution with Samuel Ohana & Kal Bacon. We will discuss the importance of having and using strong communication skills in building a community and resolving inevitable conflicts. Attendees will be taught techniques in non-violent communication, empathy, and self-regulation.
Speech-Language Pathology Services for the Transgender Community with Holly Blumell & Lesley Chase. The goal of Speech-Language Pathology services is to help transgender individuals develop voice and communication that is congruent with an inner sense of self. This presentation will provide a glimpse into voice therapy for trans feminine community. We will also cover education regarding vocal hygiene which can lay groundwork for success during voice feminization treatment.
Update on the Fairbanks Equality Ordinance: Where We are Today. Fairbanks recently passed a non-discrimination ordinance, but it was subsequently vetoed by the Mayor. Join us for a discussion of the organization and effort behind the ordinance, including successes and lessons learned, and what the future holds.
Session 2 (11:15am – 12:30am)
We Are Gender Fabulous: Genderfuckers, Femme Transmen, Butch Transwomen, and Gender Adventurers with Lee Harrington. Even within the trans communities, a story of binary gender norms is unconsciously enforced. If someone wants medical assistance in trans care, they are expected to want to become stereotypes of what men or women “should” be in our society. But what about the rest of us? In this discussion we will have a chance to share our challenges as gender diverse beings beyond stringent Western culturally framed binaries, and help each other brainstorm ways to help make our own lives, and those of other gender adventurers, better. Allies of all sorts are welcome with an awareness that TGNC voices will be centered in this dialogue.
Trauma Informed Gender Affirming Healthcare with Dr. Tracey Wiese, APRN. This workshop will discuss the neurobiological effects of chronic, toxic stress personal stress on the development of the brain and how that influences one’s ability to navigate and participate in a health care treatment plan. This workshop uses a theoretical lens of intersectionality, Queer Theory and the BioPsychoSocial Model to also examine the impacts of current and historical systemic oppression within healthcare of the gender diverse community. Providers will learn how to integrate a trauma informed lens when working with a gender diverse clients, the gender diverse client will learn how to advocate for their unique needs with their healthcare team.
Beyond the Binary: Expressions from the Transgender Umbrella with Eli Michael. Exploratory research uncovers identities of transgender/gender non-conforming adults in Anchorage using Transgender Theory as a way to explore self-identities across generations. This qualitative research explores new themes emerging in the transgender/gender non-conforming population, based on the researchers’ observation and involvement in the community. Identity of self is an important aspect throughout life and this researcher aims to examine differences of individuals’ self-identity as told by the individual in the transgender/gender non-conforming community.
Session 3 (2:00pm – 3:15pm)
Let’s Have a Gender Reveal Party! Combatting Genderism for Everyone’s Benefit with Justin Zagorski. Are you interested in making this world a better place? Do you dream of a world without patriarchy, toxic masculinity, transphobia, sexual assault, and sexism? Then, join this gender reveal party to discuss how gender non-conformity may be one our most powerful tools in making that dream a reality. You will be engaged immediately in an interactive exercise designed to increase our collective understanding of genderism. Together, we’ll dive deep into “gender”. ? When you think of gender, what are you thinking of? Regardless of where you identify yourself within the gender sphere, this session promises to be formative and healing. Our discussion will stretch from introducing gender pronouns to cultivating love for our own bodies. If you want to learn more about your gender identity, what life is like for folks who are gender non-conforming, or just work together with a rad group of people to make this world a more loving place, you should totally join us!
Facilitation: The Tricky Task of Running Meetings in Tough Terrain with Joelle Hall. An overview of best practices and practical tips for running Board meetings, campaign meetings and other tricky groups!
Trans Rights in the Workplace with Stephen Koteff. ACLU of Alaska will present a workshop relating to trans rights in the workplace, with information on recent developments in the law and what to do if you suspect discrimination. Participants will leave knowing how courts and federal agencies have recognized trans rights under existing statutes and where these new protections may be headed. NOTE: this is intended to be general information, no legal advice on individual cases will be provided in the workshop.
Session 4 (3:30pm – 4:45pm)
Radical Consent Workshop with EB Galloway. An overview of what consent actually is, and what it is not. This is to unpack and dissect power relations through consent and expose examples of rape culture.
Listening to your Body Stories with Cassandra Lidin. This lecture will address emotional body cues. We will discuss how to listen to our bodies, and techniques to create inner space and ease. I will be discussing an array of sensory therapies that individuals can do at home for living in balance.
Designing and Presenting Trans Education Classes with Lee Harrington. You’ve been asked to talk about issues concerning transgender and non-binary individuals? How do you do it, what do you include, and how can you make your message click? In this class and discussion we will discuss who our audiences are, who we are as unique educators, a wide variety of ways to present concerning TGNC issues, and what content we want to voice making sure not to forget intersectional issues as well.