FORGE is excited to be at the National Sexual Assault Conference again this year in Anaheim, CA.
If you are also at the conference, please stop by our table in the vendor area or one of the workshops we’re facilitating.
FORGE-led trans workshops at NSAC 2025:
Caucus strategy session: Our communities are under attack
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
5:30 – 6:30pm
Queer, trans, immigrant, disabled, and more. Join us to strategize how anti-violence organizations can respond to fascism and build a future for all of us to thrive.
Hosted by trans-led FORGE.
Outside of the Institutional Box: Pod-mapping and mutual aid with trans survivors
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
10:30am – 12:00pm
Presenters: Emil Rudicell and michael munson (FORGE)
Pod-mapping is a dynamic, visual strategy for increasing circles of connection, heightening individual and community safety, and incorporating multiple avenues for support and solutions. This tool can be used both by trans survivors and advocates to build relationships and connection. Grounded in FORGE’s trans-specific knowledge and commitment to expansive, affirming practices, this session will explore advocacy with survivors that focuses on mutual aid, non-systems-based approaches and resources, and using pod-mapping as one way to support survivors.
Get Empowered: A collaborative self-defense approach for reducing violence against trans/nonbinary people
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
3:30 – 5:00pm
Presenters: Sahim Lalani (Defend Yourself) & michael munson (FORGE)
FORGE and Defend Yourself partnered to take a new approach — empowerment self-defense (ESD) trainings for survivors — to reduce violence and revictimization, and facilitate healing. In this session, we will review case studies on how empowerment self-defense strategies can be adapted for various communities.
Other queer/trans workhops
Strengthening Community Support for Victims of Violence*
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
1:30 – 3:00pm
Presenter: Bamby Salcedo (Translatin@ Coalition)
The Path Forward Is Together: Cross-Movement Solidarity in the Next Era
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
3:30 – 5:00pm
Presenters: Casey Swegman, Tahirih Justice Center; Terra Russell-Slavin (The National LGBTQ Institute on IPV); Dawn Stover (ATCEV); Rocio Molina (VALOR); Linda Phan (API-GBV)
Roundtable Discussion on Serving Survivors from Underserved Communities
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
3:30– 5:00pm
Facilitator: Amanda Gould (The National LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence)
Empowering Survivors
Thursday, August 28, 2025
9:00 – 10:30am
Presenters: Bee Curiel and Mel Escalante Gonzalez (Translatin@ Coalition)