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Workshops & Presentations
Note:  Schedule of workshops will be available at Check-In on Saturday, August 15, 2009.  Workshops & presentations will be slotted into one of the following focus tracks: Health & Safety: Legal & Employment Issues; Partners, Spouses and Family; Religion and Spirituality; Youth & Students; and Arts, Culture and Media.
Keynote Speaker Helen Boyd
Trans-Sex & Identity
Trans identities create a sexual landscape where you can't assume what the "opposite" or "same" sex is, especially when someone is in transition. Not only is the trans person often reinventing his or her own sexuality, but if s/he has a partner, or is looking for one, lots of issues come up. How does a heterosexual partner of a trans person “transition” to having a same sex partner? How does a lesbian partner find support in her community when she’s being identified by others as straight? How do we balance our public and private identities in ways that don’t invalidate either partner’s sense of self? How can we respect & validate our partners’ gender before, during & after transition? How can the trans person find ways to let their partner know if/when their sexual feelings have changed?

Helen Boyd is kink-, poly-, and queer-inclusive. All are welcome to attend, and partners are encouraged to come with questions/issues.
 
Stop and Stare
In this presentation Mr. Adam Apple will discuss how each person can find a way to connect with others to make changes for the Transgendered community. “Each person has the ability to make a difference in an effective manner utilizing their own personality and talents,” says Mr. Apple. He has hopes that each person finds their own way to make changes. You will understand how his Stop and Stare performance has made a difference so far and plans for furthering the performance. He will also tell you some of his personal story and how it has helped develop the Stop and Stare.
Presenter: Adam Apple
 
TransFat
From The L Word to the pages of Out Magazine, often the queer body is presented as thin, toned, and nautilized. In spite of these stereotypical images, LGBT folks come in all shapes, sizes and weights. This workshop looks at size and sizeism in the queer/trans community and the need for greater fat-acceptance. We will discuss our experiences as queer people of size and fat studies scholars, as well as our work as activists and community organizers to promote fat-positivity with both society-at-large and within LGBT spaces and organizations. Attendees will emerge with a better understanding of fatphobia, as well as critical tools and resources for promoting fat liberation and size diversity within their own community spaces, organizations and advocacy groups.
Presenter: Joseph Aufenthie
 
The Making of "Blurring the Lines of Gender" 
This collection, "Blurring the Lines of Gender", explores, interweaving paintings, photographs, mixed media pieces, sculptures, and recycled materials and highlights elements of blurring the lines of gender and human interaction. "Blurring the Lines of Gender" explores just one of Schueren’s many artistic styles, namely a playful use of vivid colors and fluid movements, while playing with the gender binary. In this presentation, we will discuss the inspiration and the journey which resulted in this art exhibit.
Presenter: Briden Cole Schueren
 
Communicating under Stress
Communicating your thoughts clearly in a way that nurtures both yourself and the other person is a win win experience. This workshop is an opportunity for partners to examine new thoughts and to consider some creative ways of communicating. Learn how to get your points across in a kindly manner while also validating your own feelings and experience. Taking good care of yourself and enhancing your own personal growth can be done while caring for your loved one.  
Presenter: Ellen Seigel
 
Our Experience in Becoming an Inclusive Congregation
Representatives of Central Ohio congregations will discuss their outreach to the transgender community and what it has meant for their respective faith communities. Both clergy and lay people are represented on the panel. There will be discussion of "statements of welcome and inclusion," among other topics that are relevant to our work and the transgender community of faith.
Panelists: North Congregational United Church of Christ
 
Hormones & Black Market Perils
 Presenter: David Brandebura, R.Ph.
 
HRT for Transgender Patients
 Presenter: Dr. Elena Christofides, M.D., FACE.
 
FtM and MtF Surgery: Regional Care now available in New Hope & Key West
Dr. McGinn will discuss her vision for regional transgender care and emphasize the advantages of rewarding trans-friendly cities with our business in the current economy. She will share the current offerings of Papillon Gender Wellness Center as well as her current surgical results for Vaginoplasty, FFS, Ring flap metoidioplasty and FtM top surgery. This talk is useful for the FtM as well as the MtF community. 
Presenter: Dr. Christine McGinn, D.O.
 
Practical Legal Applications for the Transgender Person & Allies
In this workshop, we'll be discussing topics that include: interacting with law and government officials, traveling and dealing with the TSA, driver's licenses, birth certificates, managing your medical paperwork and how/when to disclose your transgender status, medical power of attorney, wills and estates, contracts housing, trusts, funeral arrangements and more. Topics are relevant to all attendees.
Presenter: Melissa Marie Alexander
 
Transgender Youth & the Juvenile Justice System
An overview of the challenges faced by transgender youth when they become involved with the juvenile justice system: 
* Overview of the juvenile justice system * How transgendered youth may become involved with the juvenile courts. *Myths about transgendered youth in detention *How the juvenile courts may perceive transgendered youth *How the juvenile system responds to transgendered youth *Issues of differential treatment *Issues of harassment/potential violence *Legal rights of transgendered youth *Experiences of transgender youth in the juvenile system *Special concerns with transgendered youth in the juvenile justice system: *Mental health issues *suicide *Protection from harm *Healthcare issues *Advocacy & reform issues *Working with transgendered youth in the juvenile justice system
Presenter: Dr. James Buccigross
 
Open Door Coffeehouse
Open Door is celebrating their 7th year through its partnership with the Akron Area Pride Collective, to proclaim God's extravagant welcome to LGBT and allied community. Open Door has successfully offered a non alcohol venue with some wonderful entertainment from the community. The Open Door Coffeehouse is an “open mike” style program for all people, including the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. The Open Door Coffeehouse, an alcohol free/issue free event for people to gather, socialize and make new friends. Participants read poetry or short stories while others share from personal experiences. They also have serious musicians and karaoke projected on a screen so others can sing along. You choose what to sing, play on the piano or other forms of entertainment such as funny and professional videos from on line and personally crafted. Organizers try to accommodate anyone whatever their genre or expertise, unless you would rather just sit back and watch/listen. If you have a yen to perform (music, poetry, interpretive dance, fiction etc.) you can let it out here. Or you can make friends and be part of the audience in the very safe, supportive environment.
Presenter: Joni Christian
 
Safer Sex for Everybody
This session covers the basics of safer sex and includes information on generalizing good safer sex options to the trans population. “Standard” safer sex literature often does not include information that is readily applicable to trans people. In addition to basic information, this session includes a question and answer portion, and discussion as appropriate.
Presenter: Elizabeth Weiss
 
Making History Come Alive
Many people would like to write a book but don't know how to go about it. This program would explore some of the basics the presenter has learned from almost 60 years as a writer/author.
Presenter: Diana Britt Franklin
 
Partners of Transgender Individuals Panel
Panelists: Ariel, Stephanie, Heather, Sarah, Nelli, James, Moderator: Helen Boyd
 
Parents of Transgender Individuals Panel
Panelists: TBA, Moderator: Kryss Shane
 
Intersexed: A frank discussion of the lives of intersexed individuals
Intersexed People: How many of us are there, how little people know about us and the condition we have. The more we educate people, the more they will understand.
Presenter: Barbie Rogers
 
Legislation and You
This session will focus on current legislation, how it effects the everyday lives of the transgender community, and the importance of making change. Participants will additionally learn impactful ways to tell their stories in order to effectively educate and challenge current legislation.
Presenter: Erin Upchurch 
 
Everything You Wanted to Know about TRANS but Never Asked!
Open to All TQI & Allies, Partners, & Family Members of TQI. Sensitive and thoughtful discussion of participant-raised topics of TRANS Concerns, Questions and Answers with, Merâl Crane, Clinical Director of the GPCO (Gender Program of Central Ohio) since 1979. No Questions off limits!
Presenter: Meral Crane
 
Trans Survival: Initiating activism on college campuses
Initiating policy change to make your college campus a more trans-inclusive environment can be overwhelming. This program will start with a discussion of the environments of different college campuses. In the discussion each person in attendance will explain the changes they hope to see on their campuses in order to make them more trans-inclusive and the foreseen barriers to making these changes. After this discussion everyone will look at the Trans Survival Guide made by members of GenderBloc at the University of Cincinnati. We will discuss the process of creating such a document and how the creation of the document and the networking it requires can open doors to initiate the previously discussed changes at your college or university to create a more trans-inclusive environment.
Presenter: Emma Southard
 
Queer Parenting
 Presenters: Sile Singleton & Erin Tarr
 
“You look like a Freak…” Influences of Gender on Societal Recognition
Identity is communicated through gender expression. Societal gender norms determine what behaviors and expressions are culturally acceptable and create a concept of normalcy. Normalcy is the key determinant in societal recognition. We group identities based on recognizable traits that align to gender normative expectations. Atypical expressions in sex, sexuality, gender identity, and gender presentation that exist outside a heteronormative construct lack normalcy. This lack of normalcy results in marginalization, denial of societal recognition, and the label of “freak.”

This workshop evaluates the cultural concept of normalcy and how it affects members of the queer, and more specifically the transgender and genderqueer community. It will cover gender identity, sexuality, desire, and how these elements play into the presentation and creation of freaks. It will also discuss who enforces the rules of gender expression, why we feel we have to follow them, and how we can break them. 
Presenter: Jac Stringer
Sex Change Hospital - Episode Screening & Discussion
Stephanie will lead a discussion and a Q&A session around the screening of her episode of the GLAAD Media Award - nominated documantary series, Sex Change Hospital. The series ran for the first time in the U.S. on the Women's Entertainment (WeTV) cable neetwork in the fall of 2008, and is currently still being shown on that channel. It was also featured in the United Kingdom on Channel 4 in 2007. The episode also features Stephanie's dear friend and noted author, Diana Franklin, of Dublin, Ohio. Diana accompanied Stephanie to Trinidad, Colorado for her gender reassignement surgery with Dr. Marci Bowers in July of 2006, which is chronicled in the episode. Diana will co-lead the discussion and Q & A as well.
Presenters: Stephanie Battaglino and Diana Britt Franklin
 
Gods, Goddesses, Atheists and Jesus - Transgender in Religion
What has religion had to say about transgender people throughout history? Which religions and denominations are accepting and welcoming today? Why does the Pope, while presenting in some interesting fashion choices, have a problem? How do you choose a place of worship? How do transgender religious professionals and congregants negotiate these issues? How can we make our church or religious groups more educated and accepting? We will look at and discuss these questions in a practical and fun session.
Presenter: Kat Holtz
FTM Panel Discussion (This discussion is for FTM/Masculine self-identified individuals only.) 
Let's drop the polite conversations and let's talk blunty. Come talk to Shane, Jacob, Milo and Edward about their experiences growing up, changes in community once you transition, coming out, sexuality and relationships, things we know now that would've been helpful years ago, hormones and experiences with emotional and physical changes, managing anger & aggression, support networks, mentoring and more. There will also be a discussion about surgical options and a chest surgery show-and-tell. This discussion is for FTM/Masculine Identified individuals only.
Panelists: Shane Morgan, Jacob Nash, Milo Primeaux, Edward Bowers
"Learning your Needs" Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC) Statewide Needs Assessment
In this workshop, we'll discuss the following: 1) Learning to describe your needs - Cultural Competence Needs Assessment Project design and process, 2) Listing the Needs Assessment findings and 3) Discussing the project outcomes and implications for the transformation of Ohio’s behavioral health system.
Presenter: Charleta B. Tavares
 
Today's Transwoman
Trans women come in all shapes and sizes and transition is never a straight line. We will be holding an open discussion on the lives and need of trans women in regards to race, ethnicity, sexuality, age, economic status, and religion. Topics will include transphobia, appearance and presentation, safe spaces, health services, and trans women’s relationship to the broader T and the LGB communities. We hope to hear your stories and collect ideas that can be used to find solutions to new and old problems and create services that meet the needs of the broader community of trans women.
Presenters: Cara Greenburg & Karen Patrick
 
Trans-legal Issues at Work and Home
This will be a two part session.

Part I will provide an overview/survey of federal and Ohio statutes and case law providing protections against discrimination (based on gender identity and gender stereotyping) in the workplace.

Part II of the session will provide an overview of the legal recognition of adult relationships and parent-child relationships, where one of the adults is transgender, including a discussion of the recent events in California, related to the subject of same-sex marriage. Both will provide a generous question and answer session.
Presenters: Tara McKenzie Allison, Esq. and Professor Mark Strasser
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TransOhio serves the Ohio transgender and ally communities by providing services, education, support and advocacy which promotes and improves the health, safety and life experience of the Ohio transgender individual and community. For more information about TransOhio, our board of directors, support groups, events and our work in general, please visit our website at: www.transohio.org or email us at TransOhio@gmail.com!