2011 Schedule
for Monthly Information and Social Support meetings
April 23, 2011
“As the Spirit Moves you…”
Guest speaker: Shai Wise
Guest speaker – and former regular FORGE attendee – Shai Wise is back from Minnesota and will rally discussion around spiritual practices and connections (or not) to religious communities. Shai is an out FTM/intersex pastor, who comes from a complex spiritual background and embraces a wide range of spiritual beliefs and practices. Shai’s laid back style, will encourage discussion and guide people into talking about what needs and desires people have (or don’t have) from religious communities.
May 28, 2011
Choosing Love
June 25, 2011
Trans History
Guest Speakers: Brice Smith and Michael Doylen
July 23, 2011
Ramping up, slowing down: taking charge of your emotions
August 27, 2011
Coping with practical challenges
Is the heat getting you down? No air conditioning or way to cool down – and you are concerned about your safety on the streets (binding, wearing clothes that fits your gender identity)? Is money an issue that stops you from making gender-related changes? Are finances making it hard to put food on your table or pay the rent? Are you out of work and have no insurance? What kinds of practical, day-to-day, challenges are you facing? Chances are, you aren’t alone in your struggle. Join the discussion of sharing and listening to how others have coped with similar situations.
September 24, 2011
Living Long Term
Join us for a moderated panel discussion of individuals who are living long term. There will be ample time for attendees to ask panelists specific questions and begin a dialogue that will continue later in the evening when we break into our usual roundtable discussion format.
Topics that may emerge include:
- implications of long-term hormone use;
- changes in health insurance benefits/access over time;
- shifts or stability in various components of identity;
- decisions around the choice to be stealth or out;
- impact on family and relationships;
- consequences of the REAL ID Act;
- changes in emotions or socialization;
- issues that may have cropped up now that weren’t there long ago;
- and cultural and political and changes in the trans (and LGB and straight) community/ies.
October 22, 2011
Androgyny and Genderquerity
Guest facilitator: Cary Costello
Our society likes people to fall into two neat categories, male or female, but most trans people spend at least part of their lives not fitting neatly. Some of us embrace an intermediate gender identity or appearance, with no interest in fitting into dyadic male or female gender boxes. Others among us would like nothing better than to fit in, but nevertheless must live with androgynous bodies–maybe just for a while as we transition, or maybe for the rest of our lives. Tension between genderqueer and gender-binary-identified people is an issue that trans communities should address so that we can all support one another. And all of us need to find ways to express our true gender identities as best we can. This workshop will give participants an opportunity to explore our own and others’ gender identities and relationships to androgyny in a supportive setting.
