transgender-lives-2012-program-book by queers without borders

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Welcome Welcome to Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition’s Sixth Annual Transgender Lives: Intersection of Health and Law Conference. We are delighted to have you with us today and thank you for being part of this special event. Our conference is about relationships - relationships with ourselves and relationships with those who interact with us. It is about re-defining these relationship through knowledge and understanding and by helping to erase those misconceptions that have disempowered so many for so long. Our conference is also about community - and not just trans and gender nonconforming people but also our allies who support us, the professionals who work with us, our families who care for us, and most-especially you. Our primary theme “Intersection of Health and Law” seeks to raise awareness of the interconnectivity and interdependence of two critical areas to the lives of the trans and gender non-conforming individual. Today's program includes presentations from some of the finest and mostwell respected individuals in the fields of health care, law, gender theory, and social services. We are proud to have with us as our keynote speaker Jennifer L. Levi, Professor of Law at Western New England University and one of our nation’s leading experts on transgender legal issues. Each year the attendance and outreach for this conference has grown substantially, now making it the major Transgender Health and Law Conference in the Northeast. Our success is a directly attributed to attendees finding the conference to be informative, relevant, and positive. One of our goals for this conference is that you find your experience today to be informative and positive. We hope to provide new information to you and to provide old information in a new way that provides you with new or renewed perspective. As always, we invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions for future conferences. Once again, welcome, and thanks for being here.

Welcome

The Members of the Conference Planning Committee

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Table of Contents Welcome................................................................................................3 Table of Contents ...................................................................................5 Important Items to Know ........................................................................ 7 Schedule of Events ..................................................................................... 7 Conference Area Map ................................................................................ 7 Restrooms .................................................................................................. 7 Registration Desk........................................................................................ 7 Conference Folder ...................................................................................... 7 Evaluation Forms ........................................................................................ 8 Resource Guide .......................................................................................... 8 Smoking ...................................................................................................... 8 Statement of Confidentiality ................................................................. 11 Video and Photo Policy............................................................................. 11 Descriptions of Workshops ................................................................... 13 Presenters Biographies ......................................................................... 23 Keynote Presenter ................................................................................ 35 The People Behind Transgender Lives .................................................... 37 Organizing Organizations ......................................................................... 37 Community Based Education Program .................................................... 37 Connecticut Outreach Society.................................................................. 38 Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition ...................................................... 38 Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford .......................................... 38 Twenty Club............................................................................................ 39 Sponsoring Organizations......................................................................... 39 Connecticut State Department of Education (Platinum Sponsor) ................................................................................................. 39 Crazy Dog Photography (Platinum Sponsor) ............................................ 39 Fenway Health (Platinum Sponsor).......................................................... 40 Google (Platinum Sponsor)...................................................................... 40 Baystate Health (Gold Sponsor)............................................................... 41 Connecticut Alliance for Business Opportunities (Gold Sponsor) ............... 41

Table of Contents

Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (Gold Sponsor) ................................................................................................. 41 Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective (Gold Sponsor)......................... 41 The Rainbow Times (Gold Sponsor) ......................................................... 42 City of Hartford LGBT Issues Commission (Silver Sponsor) ........................ 42 Diversity Works LLC (Silver Sponsor) ........................................................ 42 EnGAYgedWeddings.com (Silver Sponsor) ............................................... 42 Gonzalez & Associates P.C. (Silver Sponsor) ............................................. 43 Jim Collins Foundation (Silver Sponsor) .................................................... 43 The New Civil Rights Movement (Silver Sponsor)...................................... 43 Nutmeg State Federal Credit Union (Silver Sponsor) ................................ 43 Out Film CT (Silver Sponsor) .................................................................... 44 Planned Parenthood of Southern New (Silver Sponsor) ............................ 44 UCONN David Daniel Berdon Memorial Fund (Silver Sponsor) .................. 44 UCONN Rainbow Center (Silver Sponsor) ................................................. 44 The Conference Planning Committee ...................................................... 45 The CTAC Board of Directors .................................................................... 45 Other Conference Volunteers .................................................................. 45 Some Words of Thanks ......................................................................... 49

Index of Adversisors and Sponsors ........................................................ 55 Schedule for the Day............................................................................. 57 Notes ................................................................................................... 61 Map of UCONN Health Center ............................................................... 63 First Floor.................................................................................................. 63 Second Floor ............................................................................................. 64

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Important Items to Know Schedule of Events The dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s schedule revolves around four hour-long blocks of time for workshops with a fifteen-minute break following each workshop and ending with a special keynote address. A continental breakfast will be server prior to some brief welcoming remarks. An optional lunch is available, as are complementary snacks in the afternoon. A detailed schedule of the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events is located near the end of this program guide.

Conference Area Map There are maps showing the locations of all workshop rooms, cafeteria and restrooms near the end of this book.

Restrooms Main floor registration desk area and workshop room location restrooms are labeled All Gender/Gender Neutral. The restrooms in the greater Hospital area are gender-specific and also used by the general public. In those cases please choose the restrooms with the gender you most closely identify.

Registration Desk The registration desk serves as communication central for the conference. In addition to registration, there will be a troubleshooter at the info desk throughout the day. The registration desk will be staffed all day.

Conference Folder When you signed in today for the conference you will have received your badge, meal ticket (if applicable) and the Transgender Lives conference folder. This folder contains this program book, a resource guide, evaluation

Important Items to Know

forms for the workshops and conference, and other material related to the conference.

Evaluation Forms There will be a collection box at the registration desk for you to drop off your completed Conference and Workshop evaluation forms. We encourage you to take a moment, before leaving, to fill out these forms so that we may critique and continually improve the conference and workshop proceedings.

Resource Guide We hope that you find the Resource Guide, contained as a CD in your Conference program folder to be useful. If you have any resources you would like to have added or any feedback please email us at conference@transadvocacy.com.

Smoking Please be aware that the UCONN Health Center is a no-smoking campus.

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Important Items to Know

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Statement of Confidentiality In an effort to ensure the safety and privacy of all conference participants, Transgender Lives requests that you respect the following rules and guidelines: • No photographs or audio recordings are permitted without the consent of those involved. • There may be press present during certain conference venues, though their presence will be made aware at those venues. Only presenters or those giving permission will be video recorded or interviewed. Please see registration desk if you have questions regarding this taping. • Do not sell or give away names, contact information, or other personal or identifiable information of persons involved with or participating in the conference without their express consent. • Personal stories and information disclosed during workshops and informal gatherings should be considered confidential.

Video and Photo Policy Your privacy is your own. No one may take a photo or video of you without your permission. If you feel uncomfortable being photographed, please speak up or wear a “No Photos” sticker on your registration badge. These stickers are available at the Registration Desk. Glenn Koetzner, one of the conference organizers, has once again volunteered to be the official photographer and videographer for the conference. Glenn has been photographing Trans events for TransAdvocacy over many years and has an amazing respect and understanding of our community and our challenges. If you have any concerns or questions, please stop by the Registration desk, or see Glenn, to discuss.

Statement of Confidentiality

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Descriptions of Workshops Artistic Expressions of Transgender Youth Tony Ferraiolo Transgender youth have a voice that is rarely heard. Through artwork, trans youth can give voice to their experiences and feelings. Artistic Expressions of Transgender Youth is a unique workshop presented by Tony Ferraiolo, CPC. Tony shares with his audience his one-on-one experiences working with transgender youth and the realization that trans youth don't have gender identity issues --- it is often everyone around them who has an issue with their gender identity. The workshop will showcase a slide show of actual drawings created by members of Tony's youth groups, Translation and Create Yourself. The drawings are the artistic expressions of answers to questions like "Draw what anger feels like" and "What makes you sad?" Binary Defiance: Non-Binary [Trans]gender Identities Lynden Dolan In our binarist society, there are often only two options acknowledged: man and woman. Even within gender equality and transgender movements and activism, there is little discussion of non-binary identities, whether those individuals identify with the transgender umbrella or not. This workshop seeks to rectify this oversight by defying the dominant discussion around [trans]gender identities by offering a space for those who do not identify within binary gendered boxes. Discussion will center on what nonbinary [trans]gender identities can mean, experiences of individuals, and ways for allies to challenge both individuals and institutions within everyday life and activist circles. Coming Out Kinky Natasha Rose Lombardi & Jay Garrison Are you just starting out in kink? Do you know what kink is? What is D/S and M/S? What is the difference between abuse and D/S? Have you finally decided to let the people around you, or even just your close friends or relatives know about your kinky life? Need helpful suggestions or guidance on how to do so? You have questions? We have suggestionsâ&#x20AC;Ś

Descriptions of Workshops

Consent is Sexy Elizabeth Halla-Mattingly This interactive 60-minnute workshop introduces an interpretation of sexual consent based on clarity, mutuality and enthusiastic participation. Participants discuss ways in which gender role socialization and traditional expectations about sex and sexuality create barriers for open communication with intimate partners. The workshop encourages students to brainstorm creative and comfortable ways of giving and obtaining clear consent. The workshop also provides students with the tools to become active, prosocial bystanders to help prevent sexual assaults from occurring. Employer Equality Dan Weaver, Jenn Tracz Grace, Stacy Tierney Discussion and Q&A with audience relating to inclusion and policies within corporations related to Trans community. Discussion on how Foxwoods interacts with Trans community both from an employer and customer perspective. Facial Feminization Surgery: Maximizing Results Jeffrey Spiegel Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, Chief of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Boston University, 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

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

photos will be reviewed during the discussion. Dr. Spiegel will be happy to address any questions from the audience following his presentation. Focus on Trans Health: A Legal Perspective Dru Levasseur The transgender communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lack of access health care is nothing short of a crisis. The alarming statistics have spoken â&#x20AC;&#x201C; trans people often face indifference, hostility and flat-out rejection from health care providers and insurance companies. These factors not only help contribute to a high mortality rate in the transgender population, but also reduce the quality of life to an unacceptable level that no human should have to bear. What can the law do to help bridge this massive gulf that separates the trans community from the medical care they so desperately need? And, until the law is in place to guarantee the trans community health care, what can we do to better position ourselves for access to medical care? This workshop will cover the range of barriers that exist from bias and lack of cultural competency training of health care staff to discrimination in coverage of transition-related care. It will provide an overview of work being done on trans health, ranging from grass-roots organizing and educational campaigns to cutting-edge policy work and litigation in the courts. Using Lambda Legal Transgender Toolkits, this workshop will provide examples of successful strategies that trans people can use to better access care in the absence of legal protections. Participants will leave with action items to bring trans health into focus in their everyday lives and work.

Descriptions of Workshops

Health and Healthcare of the Trans Patient Katy Tierney A look at recommendations for health care for the transgendered patient including primary care and hormone management. How can I help?: Being a Cis-gendered Ally to the Trans Community Haley McCarthy & Joleen Nevers The goal of this workshop is to help non-trans (cis-gendered) individuals navigate the ins and outs of being an ally to the Trans community. Many people who have a friend or loved one that identifies as transgender and/or who want to be strong supporters of the trans community may find themselves reluctant to speak up or ask questions due to fear of saying the wrong thing. This workshop will be an discussion and open forum to process these feelings and explore some ways to be supportive and accurate allies. Talking points include: • • •

Making mistakes are OK and can be learned from Sensitive topics and things that you do not need to know about a Trans to be their ally Ways to learn more and be a powerful support

How to File a Discrimination Complaint at the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities Alix Simonetti The session involves a general discussion of Gender Identity or Expression discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation, credit; The processing of discrimination complaints at the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities: Where to file discrimination complaint. How to file a complaint. The stages in the processing of complaints filed at the CHRO: mediation, investigation, public hearings and court; and Damages. Followed by a Question and Answer session. How to Manage Your Healthcare: Interacting with the System Katy Tierney A look at how to best manage your own health care from primary care to emergencies to specialty visits.

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Intersex 101 Similarities And Differences Between Intersex & Trans People Vickie Boisseau 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, and how the medical profession can better help their clients. Legalize Trans: National and International Developments in Trans Rights Noah Lewis Trans people are finding increasing success in legislatures and courtrooms, and this workshop will focus on these exciting developments. We will discuss the areas of employment discrimination, health care access, public accommodations, and changing sex designations on identity documents. We will end by highlighting areas where additional work is needed and opportunities to participate in these changes. Listening to Ourselves: Trans People Challenging Internalized Oppression Ida Hammer What does it mean to live in a society where being cis (non-trans) is viewed as being "normal" or superior to being trans? How can trans people cope with the detrimental effects of being regularly exposed to these messages? We will identify the major themes of the dominance of cis standards and examine how these are promoted in pop culture, codified in laws, and maintained in the health care system. We will present specific tools to challenge these ideas in our own heads and in our communities. Allies welcome.

Descriptions of Workshops

Potential Dissociative Personality Traits Among Transmasculine Individuals, the Result of their Gender, Identity and Sexuality Refuted by Society. TP Catalano We, as transmasculine individuals, know the harsh realities of personal rejection and invisibility stemming from within society. Someone everywhere hates us and takes liberty in one form or another to let us know this. Triple that daily hurt, rejection and invisibility and the cumulative effect has the potential to lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD and/or ongoing Dissociative tendencies within personality. Transmasculine individuals struggle with the perpetual societal jackboot on their neck potentially lending to devastating mainly psychological health consequences. Imagine the persecution of a group of individuals due merely to their expressed opposition to binary gender, identity and sexuality; their unwillingness to accept born bio-female and born bio-male heterosexual standardized norms. This presentation will suggest ways to improve upon the potentially detrimental effects by society as imposed on transmasculine lives. SOFFA Lounge Asa Paradis & Sage Shelton This workshop is intended for any SOFFA (Significant Other, Friend, Family, Ally) who wishes to have a place to discuss issues which are specifically pertinent to them. Often times SOFFAs can feel left out, hurt, and frustrated because of the issues surrounding their loved one. It is a unique position to be put in, and can be difficult to find support for. The presenters of the workshop intend to offer open ears, personal accounts, & potential solutions and hope that all participants reciprocate kindly. Supporting Transgender Rights at Work, School, and in the Community Bill Howe & Diana Lombardi This workshop will cover the discrimination that the transgender community feels every day and how the important legislation passed this spring by the CT Legislature will help the trans-community in areas such as employment, credit, housing, and public accommodations to alleviate the

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

oppression they face. Students and school employees face particular challenges and the role of the Connecticut State Department of Education will be outlined with attention given to what rights and best practices should be in place in school settings. Connecticut is one of only 15 states to have these protections. Join us to learn more about this significant piece of social justice legislation. The Health Care Professional and the Transgendered Patient Janice Booth This workshop is focused to the healthcare provider who may encounter transgendered patients in their practice. It is not a workshop about the specific medical treatment of transsexuality or the medical management of gender transition, but rather is a presentation and discussion of the unique needs that a transgendered patient presents to the healthcare professional and how we, as professionals, can make a transgendered persons healthcare experience less traumatic. The Jim Collins Foundation: Why Do We Need It? Dru Levasseur & Tony Ferraiolo Many transgender people desperately need medical care that insurance just won’t cover, whether due to anti-trans prejudice or ideas about transitioning that are simply out of sync with modern medical thinking. It’s a painful, every-day dilemma that the Jim Collins Foundation is working to address through fundraising, education and advocacy. The Jim Collins Foundation is a non-profit founded by and for the transgender community to raise money for gender-confirming surgeries and to inform the public about the importance of removing discriminatory barriers to coverage of transition-related health care. This workshop will give attendees a general overview of the medical and legal support for coverage. It will also discuss ways that transgender individuals can empower themselves and each other. When you know you need surgery and it’s not yet within your reach, how do you get by in the meantime? What keeps you going? Participants will share survival skills, fundraising ideas and advocacy tools.

Descriptions of Workshops

There are No Stupid Questions! Michelle Hansen This is a workshop that is intentionally a dialogue. It is intended for the Cisgender and beginning conference attendee. The field is open for questions! Is the world of the Transgender mystifying to you? Are there terms that are used that you can't understand? Come ask your questions. There is no question too personal, too difficult, too difficult, too simple or too stupid to be asked or answered. Trans People: You Are Worthy of Respect Zachary Shay A workshop reminding all trans people that they are a person worthy of respect, something that is sadly all too difficult for many to remember. It will touch on some of the reasons that this can be difficult, teaching people who haven't faced it and trying to bring up suggestions about how to cope with these things for trans people and, for others, how to avoid adding to them. Understanding Worldview: Culturally Competent Counseling for Transgender Individuals Patricia De Barbieri and Paul Levatino This interactive 60 minute workshop is intended for trans individuals as well as mental health service providers interested in culturally competent counseling and therapy. The workshop will: identify what is meant by multicultural counseling and therapy; discuss worldview as a concept of multicultural counseling and therapy; present a model for exploring worldview in therapy and counseling with trans individuals; and indentify some underlying contextual issues that may impact counseling and therapy from a transgender perspective. The goal of this workshop is to broaden understanding of culturally competent counseling for mental health service providers, and to strengthen and empower trans individuals seeking mental health services.

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Working with Transgender Clients Peter Papallo & Diana Lombardi The workshop is for therapist who would like to have a better understanding of the specials needs required when working with a transgender clients. It will explore the requirement for a client to transition and look at their transition from both the therapist and the client's pointof-views (such as how the client sees the "Standards of Care"Â? that governs their transition). The workshop will also look at how family members are affected when a family member transitions (for example, when a father transitions, and the effects on her children). "You've always been different, it's just a phase": Parent and Family Reactions to Children's Disclosure of Transgender Identity. Carole MacKenzie Parents often react to their children's disclosure with shock, anger, fear, disappointment, a sense of loss, and betrayal. While the child (of any age) may have known for years that their gender did not line up with the sex assigned them at birth, parents and families are frequently the last to know. This interactive workshop will explore typical, atypical, and on-going responses to disclosure, as well as its impact on the family system.

Descriptions of Workshops

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Presenters Biographies Every year, the Transgender Lives conference attracts some of the finest and most knowledgeable people in fields related to law, health, and the transgender community. Below are brief descriptions of each presenter. Vickie Boisseau Elder A. Vickie Boisseau, public speaker, and lecturer on intersex issues, and transgender education to the public in universities, colleges, and hospitals across the country. Vickie is a rights activist/advocate, facilitator of intersex/transgender support groups in Worcester, MA at Central Mass Recovery Learning Community, and is the Co-founder of Intersex Day of Awareness. Vickie is the President of TransVision Productions, & wrote a chapter about Vickieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life in "Hermaphrodeities 2nd Edition" by Raven Kaldera 2009. Vickie is going for a degree in Human Services at Quinsigamond College. Janice Booth Janice Booth is a registered nurse for over 30 years. Her current occupation is in the area of healthcare information dissemination through the internet. She has experience in critical care nursing, nursing management, medical administration and research, healthcare information systems, and world wide web content management. TP Catalano TP Catalano, M.A., Psychotherapist early on taught Health & Physical Education and coached sports. He later had a successful, professional private practice for twenty-eight years working solely with born bio-girlchildren and adults, and in the same small New England town in which he resides. He is transmasculine, an artist, loves to laugh, Dance Blues, Slow and Swing, strut his jock stuff and attitude, Stifle all no-clothed emperors, a foodie, lover of nature and mother earth's critters, and a connoisseur of Renaissance and Baroque music.

Presenters Biographies

Patricia De Barbieri Patricia De Barbieri, Ed.D., LPC is a Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Southern Connecticut State University. She is former Chair of the Department of Counseling and School Psychology, and Coordinator of the School Counseling Program at Southern where she trained school counselors, school psychologists and clinical mental health counselors. She has thirty-six years of clinical mental health experience and a specialty in the field of eating disorders that spans twenty-five years. She currently trains new professionals in the field of marriage and family therapy. She earned her doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University and is a member of the National Eating Disorders Association, the American Counseling Association, School Counseling Association, Mental Health Counselors Association and Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Her current research is on recovery from bulimia, and social and emotional resiliency building for school age girls. Lynden Dolan Lynden Dolan is a non-traditional student at the University of Connecticut, majoring in English and Women, Genders and Sexualities studies with a minor in Diversity in American Studies. A young activist and genders and sexualities nerd, Lyn is beginning to expand zir horizons and identifies with trans feminism, and both the radical queer and sex positive movements. Lyn is a life-long resident of Connecticut, loves writing poetry, reading young adult fantasy novels, and arguing queer pedagogy. Ze prefers ze/zir and they/them but will happily answer to any pronoun. Tony Ferraiolo Tony Ferraiolo is the Co-Founder and President of the Jim Collins Foundation, and serves as an active member of the Board. Tony has dedicated himself to promoting competent and respectful health care for the transgender community, educating providers and advocating on behalf of patients. Tony founded and facilitates two youth groups: Translation, a support group for transgender teenagers, and Create Yourself, an art group for transgender and gender non-conforming children under the age of

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

twelve. He also assisted in forming TransPACT, a support group for parents of transgender and gender non-conforming children. Tony is a certified life coach who specializes in transgender youth and families. Beyond this list of inspiring accomplishments, Tony is known for infusing his stories of the struggles of transition with insight, humor, and compassion. Jay Garrison Jay Garrison was born and raised in CA. Moved to CT in 2008 to be near family after the end of a ten year marriage and losing everything to the housing market and the failure of my small business that served those hit most by the crash. Jay left his career in high-tech in CA, and decided to pursue a passion for helping people in the behavioral health field. Not such a hot idea for someone who is very empathic who at the time didn't have a clue how to put up boundaries to protect himself. Jay now has a job he loves helping people from a safe distance... Over the phone :-) Jay arrived in CT as a really screwed up girl and is today a mostly happy trans man working his way to being very happy. Liz Halla-Mattingly Liz Halla-Mattingly is a Certified Sexual Assault Counselor Advocate and a Prevention Educator for the Sexual Assault Crisis Service of the YWCA New Britain. Liz has a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy and is a supporter of the LGBTQIA Rights movement. Ida Hammer Ida Hammer is a writer and social justice communicator. Her advocacy and writing has included feminism, LGBTQ issues, anti-racism, veganism and food justice. She is the organizer and curator of the Trans Women's AntiViolence Project (transfeminism.tumblr.com), a trans feminist project addressing all aspects of violence experienced by trans women across multiple identities. She presents workshops and trainings on cis privilege and being an ally to trans people. She's also involved in organizing to end sexualized violence. She's proud dyke-identified transsexual woman and a co-organizer of the Dyke March in New York City.

Presenters Biographies

Michelle Hansen The Rev. Michelle Hansen is an Episcopal Priest of many years, a Transwoman, a proud parent and grandmother, and a conference organizer. Michelle has two Masters Degrees from Yale Divinity School and worked many years as a parish priest, later as a Computer Networking Engineer and Instructor. Michelle is now retired and busy with her own business. Michelle completed her transition 6 years ago and has served as an officer and Moderator of The Twenty Club, a support group for transsexuals. Michelle has presented multiple sessions at previous Health and Law Conferences. William Howe Dr. William A. Howe is the education consultant for culturally responsive education, multicultural education, gender equity and civil rights at the Connecticut State Department of Education. He is also an adjunct professor of education at the University of Connecticut and Albertus Magnus College. He is on the boards of several organizations, including the National Advisory Board STEM Equity Pipeline, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Welcoming Schools National Advisory Council, Native Village Board of Advisors, University of Connecticut Asian American Studies Institute and the editorial board of Multicultural Perspectives, the official journal of the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME). M. Dru Levasseur M. Dru Levasseur is the Transgender Rights Attorney for Lambda Legal, the oldest and largest national legal organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of LGBT people and people with HIV. Dru focuses his work on impact litigation, advocacy and community education to advance the civil rights of transgender people nationwide. Before joining Lambda Legal, Dru was staff attorney for Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund. In 2008, he co-founded the Jim Collins Foundation, a nonprofit that raises money to fund gender-confirming surgeries. He serves as Chair of the Legal Issues Committee of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and is an active member of

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

the LGBT Rights Committee of the City Bar of New York. In 2011, Dru was a recipient of the National LGBT Bar Association’s Best LGBT Lawyer Under 40 Award. Paul Levatino, LMFT Paul is a Master’s degree graduate of Southern Connecticut State University’s Marriage and Family Therapy program and obtained a two year advanced study certificate in Gestalt Therapy. His resume includes clinical experience in the following; Yale University’s Intensive Family Preservation Program, Clinical Faculty member at Yale University Child Study Center and Senior Clinical Supervisor Wheeler Clinic, New Haven. Currently, Paul is an Adjunct Professor at Southern Connecticut State University’s Marriage and Family Therapy Department. He is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT) and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Paul is a certified OWL (Our Whole Lives) instructor. Our Whole Lives is a series of sexuality education curricula for youth. Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Noah Lewis Noah Lewis is a Staff Attorney at Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund. TLDEF is committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transgender people. Noah works on cutting-edge cases in areas such as employment discrimination, health care access and identity documentation. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mr. Lewis is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard Law School.

Presenters Biographies

Jerimarie Liesegang Jerimarie Liesegang, PhD is a transperson, queer anarchist and long time Connecticut Trans Activist and Advocate. Jerimarie started the transgender grass roots advocacy organization - It’s Time Connecticut over a decade ago that has evolved into the current Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition [CTAC], of which Jerimarie is the founder and director. TransAdvocacy’s mission is to secure freedom in Gender Identity and Expression through effecting legislative change, service provider policies and procedures as well as extensive one on one advocacy within the community. Jerimarie is also a co-founder of Queers without Borders, a radical queer collective that defies spatial, physical, religious, gender, political and all other imposed boundaries. Jerimarie has authored numerous published articles, spoken on many panels and presented workshops around Trans issues. Jerimarie is a strong advocate of multi-issue organizing in the spirit of Audrey Lorde’s vision that “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.” Diana Lombardi Diana graduated in 2011 from the University Of Connecticut School Of Social Work with her Master’s Degree; her concentration was in Community Organizing. She is on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Trans-Advocacy Coalition (CTAC), an organization involved with the promotion of transgender issues in housing, employment, medical, law, and providing one on one advocacy work with the trans-community. In addition, Diana is the past Executive Director of the Connecticut Outreach Society (COS) a support group for the transgender community and she was on the steering committee of ctEQUALITY, an organization that worked to pass the gender inclusive Anti-Discrimination law in Connecticut in 2011. She was also one of the Project Coordinator for the Transgender Regional Area Network Survey (T.R.A.N.S.) a research project that studied the transgender population in the Greater Hartford area for AIDS/HIV. She has given numerous workshop presentations; including workshops workshop

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) conferences and is a member of the NASW and WPATH. Natasha Rose Lombardi Tasha Rose Lombardi, aka LP's Butterfly, has been involved in the GLBT community since 1988 when she began volunteering at the Project 100/The Hartford Community Center. While at the Community Center, she became involved with the Twenty Club, and was elected President in 2005 and remained until 2008. She transitioned and became Tasha Rose in 2003. Recently Tasha Rose graduated from Capital Community College with an Associateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree in Social Services. While there she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society for Community, where she was Vice-President of Service. College. Tasha Rose Lombardi is a member of The Imperial Sovereign Court of All CT, and is Vice Chairperson of the City of Hartford Commission on LGBT Issues. Currently Tasha is attending ST Joseph College and working on her BSW. She is also the Ombudsman for the Society of CT, a pan-sexual leather social education organization. Carole MacKenzie Carole MacKenzie, LCSW, is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist practicing in Hartford, and an adjunct professor in psychology at the University of Hartford. A member of PFLAG Hartford and WPATH, Carole is a active ally and supporter of GLBT rights. Haley McCarthy Haley McCarthy, MPH, CHES is certified health education specialist and wellness enthusiast whose primary interests focus on sexuality, gender and sexual health. For her Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thesis she completed a qualitative research study on the health care access and experience of the transgender community. Currently, she works in Student Wellness at the college level where she promotes an open and welcoming environment while providing stress management, sexual health and wellness information to the student community. Haley is a dedicated trans ally and continues to stay actively involved in advocacy as a member of Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition's Board of Directors.

Presenters Biographies

Joleen M. Nevers Joleen M. Nevers, MAEd, CHES, and AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator is a health educator whose primary interest is in sexual health and sexuality education. She has presented sexual health topics at the annual True Colors Conference for youth and has co-presented on transgender health care at American College Health Association's national meeting. Joleen is a committed ally to the trans community and serves on the Board for Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition. Peter Papallo Peter Papallo, M.S.W., M.S. is an Extension Instructor of Social Work. Peter teaches courses in micro foundation theory and practice, casework practice, and group work practice and provides academic and field advising to master level students. His areas of specialization include casework, group work, and practice with GLBT Clients. He currently has a practice in Winsted, Connecticut. Asa Paradise Asa was a supportive significant other before she became an active, fun loving, and thoughtful ally. By trade, she is an educator with a background in emotionally challenged students working in a therapeutic, healing environment Her passions have helped her make many friends in the community. Creative & empathetic, she strives to make learning experiences engaging, comfortable, & fun. Cheryl A. Sharp Cheryl A. Sharp is an attorney licensed to practice in the state of Connecticut. She is as a Human Rights Attorney with the State of Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. The mission of CHRO is to eliminate discrimination through enforcement, education and advocacy. Attorney Sharp represents the state at administrative public hearings and state and federal court. She has argued before various Connecticut courts including two appearances before the Connecticut Supreme Court, and she has negotiated millions of dollars worth of settlements between parties. She is also as an adjunct professor at

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Quinnipiac University in the Political Science Department. She received her Business degree from Rennselaer, attended Women’s Campaign School at Yale University, received her law degree from UCONN law School and her Bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University. She was recognized by the CT Law Tribune as one of the dozen who made a difference for her work raising public awareness about civil and human rights. he has developed several programs to increase students’ awareness about civil and human rights including the statewide CT Kids' Court Competition and Kid’s Speak; and a documentary “Inclusion: students looking beyond the ADA”. She is currently working with Wesleyan University students to develop a documentary on civil rights. Zachary Shay I'm a 21 year old trans person who has been part of the community for over 4 years. I have spent those years trying to learn the experiences of as many trans people as possible to be aware of and try to help address problems that we, as a community, face. I am currently enrolled in Connecticut College and last year worked to start a support group for trans people that is currently in the process of being officially created. Last year I wrote up what I called a "Trans 101 for Trans People" which has been shared on many websites including tumblr and forums, has been read at trans events, and has gotten many responses of thanks and appreciation. The themes from this work, which includes the themes of respect, dignity, personal right and self identification. will be used as a jumping off point for this workshop. Sage Shelton Sage is the wife of a trans-woman to whom she has been married for over 25 years (but who's counting). During the time when her partner came out, she went through a lot of phases in her understanding of trans-people's worlds. Since then, she has become a supporting member of the Connecticut Outreach Society (COS) & is a founding member of the SOFFA section of COS. You may have seen her at other events & remember her

Presenters Biographies

kind, happy, cheerful demeanor as she welcomes everyone she meets with a perky smile and motherly warmth. Alix Simonetti Alix Simonetti earned a J.D. from New York Law School and a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. Since 1992, she has been a litigation attorney at the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. She represents the CHRO in the prosecution of certified discrimination complaints before the CHRO Office of Public Hearings, and at court. She also represents the Commission in appeals of CHRO cases and works with the principal attorney on CHRO amicus participation in cases at the state and federal courts. She advises on CHRO's contract compliance enforcement issues, and assists in the preparation of the agency's legislative efforts. Attorney Simonetti is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association: Labor and Employment Law Section (Executive Committee since about 1993 and section chair 2008-2009);Human Rights and Responsibilities Section (Executive Committee since about 1993, section chair 1995-98, legislative liaison); was House of Delegates member. Jeffrey Spiegel Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel is Chief of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Boston Medical Center and holds academic appointments in the Departments of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery and Plastic Surgery at the Boston University School of Medicine. His practice specializes in Facial Feminization Surgery and he performs approximately 1-4 feminization surgeries a week. He sees head and neck surgery and facial cosmetic surgery patients at Boston Medical Center in Bostonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic and vibrant South End. Since 2004, Dr. Spiegel has performed well over 400 FFS procedures. Katy Tierney Katy Tierney is a nurse practitioner who practices at the Joslin Diabetes Affiliate at the Hospital of Central Connecticut. She specializes in transgender hormone therapy in addition to diabetes and other metabolic disorders.

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Stacy Tierney Stacy Tierney is the Hotel Manager at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. In her role, she is charged with ensuring that 4 star, 4 diamond service is offered to all guests who enter Connecticut’s newest hotel, in the state’s largest casino resort. Being raised in Las Vegas Hospitality, Stacy has spent the last 17 years in some of the United States’ signature luxury resorts. Jenn Tracz Grace Jenn has over ten combined years of diversity and marketing experience focusing specifically on the LGBT community.. She is the proud owner of Diversity Works LLC, a certified LGBT owned business that focuses on brand integration and marketing communications for large companies and corporations. She is also the Executive Director of CABO - Connecticut’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce. She resides on the Leadership Council for Out & Equal: Connecticut, is an active volunteer leader with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and also volunteers for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). She lives in Connecticut with her wife Andrea and their two children. Dan Weaver Dan Weaver, CABO's Secretary, is the co-owner of Barmont Productions. This new boutique video company was co-founded with his partner, Lee Moore. The business recently became LGBT certified, and one of its focuses is LGBT wedding videos. While serving as the Director of Communications at Foxwoods Resort Casino Dan helped in changing employment policies and programs to include the LGBT community.

Presenters Biographies

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Keynote Presenter Jennifer L. Levi is one of our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading experts on transgender legal issues. Jennifer is a Professor of Law at Western New England University. She serves on the Legal Committee of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, and is a founding member of both the Transgender Law & Policy Institute and the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. Professor Levi was the Transgender Rights Project Director and Senior Staff Attorney for Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) in Boston. Professor Levi has dedicated her career to fighting for the rights of women; children; the poor; and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered clients. She has been involved in numerous precedent-setting cases establishing basic rights for transgender people. These cases include: Doe v. Yunits, in which Jennifer represented a transgender student denied the right to attend school because of the clothing she wore; Rosa v. Park West Bank, which established key protections for transgender people under federal law; Beger v. DMA, which resulted in a reversal of Division of Medical Assistanceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s refusal to cover breast surgery for a transgender woman, among many others. Jennifer served as Co-counsel for the seven same-sex couples who sued the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for denying them the right to obtain marriage licenses in Goodridge et al v. the Department of Public Health. The appeal led to the landmark Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling that stated it was unconstitutional for the Commonwealth to deny gays and lesbians the right to marry. The Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition is proud and honored to have Jennifer Levi deliver this year's keynote address.

/Keynote Presenter

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

The People Behind Transgender Lives The Transgender Lives conference is possible because of the support from many individuals and many organizations. The conference organizing committee proudly acknowledges their efforts.

Organizing Organizations Community Based Education Program Community oriented primary care is the governing philosophy of the Community Based Education (CBE) Program. This approach, developed in the 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, incorporates community needs assessment, population based planning and intervention, community participation and evaluation. The Health Center and the CBE program are committed to the principle that patients, health and disease must be viewed in the context of social, economic, political, and health system factors that significantly influence overall health. CBE helps provide this perspective. The goals of the Community Based Education experiences include: (1) an understanding of the relationship between community and social factors and health status, (2) developing the skills necessary to work in partnership with community programs and residents to promote (a) health and disease prevention, and, (b) disease management and support services, and, (3) the overall improvement of patient care. To achieve these objectives, the Community Based Education Program has developed educational experiences with a variety of community programs throughout the state. In the coming years, we expect the number of participating community programs to continue to expand. Currently, medical students work with more than 300 community programs located throughout Connecticut. cbe.uchc.edu

The People Behind Transgender Lives

Connecticut Outreach Society The Connecticut Outreach Society (COS) is a support group for transgendered individuals and their spouses or significant others. Membership in COS is open to all crossdressers, transsexual (both MtF and FtM) and gender variant individuals, spouses, and significant other of legal age regardless of gender, race, creed, or sexual orientation as well as to interested medical and mental health professionals. We provide a safe place where crossdressers and transgender individuals may meet and socialize. We meet twice monthly in the Hartford area with members from all over Connecticut and southern Massachusetts. www.ctoutreach.org

Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition The mission of the Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition [CTAC] is to make Connecticut a safe and tolerant place for the trans and gender nonconforming individual through education, social advocacy and activism. This is achieved through three mechanisms: (1) promote public policy changes, (2) education and training to service providers, educators, students and the general public, and (3) one on one advocacy within the Trans and gender non-conforming communities. CTAC is a true grassroots and coalition oriented organization comprising individuals and organizations dedicated to the advancement and attainment of full Human Rights for all Trans and gender non-conforming people in every aspect of society and actively oppose discriminatory acts. www.transadvocacy.org

Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford The Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford is a healthy, growing church that is valued and respected in the community. They strive to create and sustain social justice through action and are a church where people connect with God and with each other, feel valued and inspired, and are challenged to grow spiritually. www.mcchartford.com

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Twenty Club The Twenty Club is a transsexual support group for New England. It meets at the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective (HGLHC), 1841 Broad Street, in Hartford on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, from 2 pm to 5 pm. www.twentyclub.net

Sponsoring Organizations Connecticut State Department of Education (Platinum Sponsor) The Connecticut State Department of Education is the administrative arm of the Connecticut State Board of Education. Through leadership, curriculum, research, planning, evaluation, assessment, data analyses and other assistance, the Department helps to ensure equal opportunity and excellence in education for all Connecticut students. The Department is responsible for distributing funds to the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 166 school districts. The Department also operates the Connecticut Technical High School System.

Crazy Dog Photography (Platinum Sponsor) Crazy Dog Photography is New England's first choice for documenting life in the LGBT community, and the struggles and triumphs of the equality movement. Maybe that's because since even before the company's founding, proprietor Glenn Koetzner has been a friend and ally to the community. A dedicated volunteer and vocal supporter of LGBT rights, Glenn brings that passion to his photographs, capturing images that will stay with you long after the moment has passed. With our commitment to making a difference and the unique perspective we bring to our work, we're proud to say you'll find a kindred spirit in Crazy Dog Photography. www.crazydogphotos.com

The People Behind Transgender Lives

Fenway Health (Platinum Sponsor) For over forty years, Fenway Health has been working to make life healthier for the LGBT community, people living with HIV/AIDS, people in our neighborhood, and the broader population. Fenway Health provides a broad spectrum of medical, mental health, and ancillary services at three sites: Fenway Health’s main site at 1340 Boylston Street; Fenway South End at 142 Berkeley Street; and The Borum at 130 Boylston Street. Fenway’s Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center specializes in providing the best quality health care for youth and young adults ages 12 to 29. The Trans Health Program at Fenway is a multidisciplinary program of treatment and services supporting the needs of and assisting with gender affirmation treatments for trans patients. More on the Trans Health Program is available at www.fenwayhealth.org/transhealth. The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health is an interdisciplinary center for research, training, education and policy development focusing on national and international health issues. More about all of our programs and services can be found at www.fenwayhealth.org .

Google (Platinum Sponsor) At Google, they don’t just accept difference – they thrive on it. They celebrate it. And they support it, for the benefit of their employee, their users, their culture and students interested in the technology industry. Google is committed to a supportive work environment, where employees have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Each Googler is expected to do his or her utmost to create a respectful workplace culture that is free of harassment, intimidation, bias and unlawful discrimination of any kind. Employment at Google is based solely upon individual merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. They strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment of any kind, including discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. www.google.com

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Baystate Health (Gold Sponsor) Baystate Health, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, is a multi-institutional integrated health care delivery organization serving a population of nearly 750,000 in western New England. With over 10,000 employees, Baystate Health is the largest private employer in western Massachusetts. At Baystate Health, we are passionate about the quality care we give and thankful for the opportunities we get to touch lives every day. Our charitable mission is to improve the health of the people in our communities every day, with quality and compassion. www.baystatehealth.org

Connecticut Alliance for Business Opportunities (Gold Sponsor) Connecticut Alliance for Business Opportunities (CABO) is dedicated to promoting the economic prosperity of Connecticut’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender businesses. www.thecabo.org

Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (Gold Sponsor) The Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF) (Gold Sponsor) is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women, girls and their families to achieve equal opportunities in their personal and professional lives. For over 30 years, CWEALF has been a major force in the struggle to advance women’s legal rights and is a vital resource to women and policy makers in Connecticut. With expertise in family law, sex discrimination in employment and education, and civil rights, CWEALF is motivated to create a society in which equity is the norm. www.cwealf.org

Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective (Gold Sponsor) The Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective [Gold Sponsor] has proudly served the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities since 1983 providing medical, support, education and advocacy programs and services. Our mission is to empower individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions to lead healthy lives. www.hglhc.org

The People Behind Transgender Lives

The Rainbow Times (Gold Sponsor) Found in 2006, The Rainbow Times has grown from a Western Massachusetts newspaper to a New England LGBT newspaper with the most solid social medial platform than that of any other LGBT newspaper in New England. You can find TRT via our e-blast, The Pony Express, at FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and MySpace. www.therainbowtimesnews.com

City of Hartford LGBT Issues Commission (Silver Sponsor) The City of Hartford LGBT Issues Commission’s purpose is to assist in the elimination of discrimination and oppression of LGBT people in the City of Hartford. It accomplishes its purpose through Advocacy, Forums, Public Hearings, Education, Outreach, Information Clearing House and making recommendations to the Mayor and Court of Common Council. www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=111235498192

Diversity Works LLC (Silver Sponsor) Diversity Works is a women owned and LGBT certified marketing and communications agency and Emmy award winning production company that turns pride into profit for corporations, the public sector and non profits. We are the unique intersection of human resources, marketing, and communications that guides clients in developing their Diversity initiatives and stories for the enrichment of their employees, minority vendors, customers, community, and ultimately their bottom line. www.diversityworksllc.com

EnGAYgedWeddings.com (Silver Sponsor) EnGAYgedWeddings.com - LGBT-owned & Allied Wedding Directory. Where “All-Inclusive Weddings” means that EVERY couple is included and celebrated! EnGAYgedWeddings.com

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Gonzalez & Associates P.C. (Silver Sponsor) Gonzalez and Associates, P.C. provides services in the accounting, audit and tax areas including corporate, partnership, trust, estate, and individual tax preparation, financial and retirement planning, audit, reviews and compilations of non-public and non-profit entities. We have extensive experience in the area of planning issues for same gender married couples and unmarried couples. We are also well versed in the tax issues that affect transgendered tax payers. Lillian Gonzalez holds the ADPASM designation which represents specialty in the area of wealth transfers, federal taxation, retirement planning, and planning for financial and medical end-of-life needs for domestic partners. www.sgc-cpa.com

Jim Collins Foundation (Silver Sponsor) The Jim Collins Foundation is a community-based initiative promoting the self-determination and empowerment of all transgender people. They provide financial assistance to help fund gender-confirming surgeries for those transgender people who need surgery to live a healthy life, but have no ability to pay for these surgeries. www.jimcollinsfoundation.org

The New Civil Rights Movement (Silver Sponsor) The New Civil Rights Movement website is dedicated to keeping you informed of all the issues in the gay rights arena, especially gay marriage. Because weddings are bliss, ignorance is not. www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com

Nutmeg State Federal Credit Union (Silver Sponsor) The mission of Nutmeg State Federal Credit Union is to make a positive difference in our Membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives while ensuring organizational and financial soundness. Their service values a commitment to building strong relationships and creating members for life, with a responsive to your expressed needs while trying to anticipate your unexpressed needs, and continuously seeking opportunities to improve your financial well-being. www.nutmegstatefcu.org

The People Behind Transgender Lives

Out Film CT (Silver Sponsor) Out Film CT is a nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to presenting outstanding LGBT cinema throughout the year, culminating in the 10-day Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. As Connecticut's longest-running film festival, it has become a distinctive fixture in our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultural landscape, bringing the community together to introduce, celebrate and rediscover the ideas and values that make the LGBT community unique. For more information or to volunteer, call 860-586-1136, or visit www.OutFilmCT.org.

Planned Parenthood of Southern New (Silver Sponsor) The mission of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (Silver Sponsor) is to protect the fundamental right of all individuals to manage their own fertility and sexual health and to ensure access to the services, education and information to realize that right. Help ensure that sexuality is understood as an essential, lifelong aspect of being human and that it is celebrated with respect, openness, and mutuality. www.ppsne.org

UCONN David Daniel Berdon Memorial Fund (Silver Sponsor) The University of Connecticut David Daniel Berdon Memorial Fund is named for David Daniel Berdon, who graduated from the University of Connecticut Law School and later lectured economics at UCONN. A fund was created after Berdon's death with the purpose of providing financial support for UCONN's student, staff, and faculty-organized events designed to foster diversity and tolerance of gays, lesbians, and transgender persons. berdon.uconn.edu

UCONN Rainbow Center (Silver Sponsor) The University of Connecticut Rainbow Center (Silver Sponsor) serves the diversity of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Allied community and to provide resources and services to the wider community of students, faculty, staff, and local residents. The Center diligently works to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn,

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

work, and grow in a supportive and safe environment. The Center acts as an accessible and safe space for reporting incidents of harassment and discrimination. Another key part of the Centers mission is to reduce the effects of alienation experienced by community members by diminishing negative behaviors and or attitudes towards the GLBTQ community through the use of education and advocacy. www.rainbowcenter.uconn.edu

The Conference Planning Committee Jamie Dailey Glenn Koetzner Diana Lombardi Joleen Nevers Tasha S.

Michelle Hansen Jerimarie Liesegang Haley A. McCarthy Anja Schaedler Stacey A. Thompson

The CTAC Board of Directors Jamie Dailey Edith Dziadowicz Michelle Hansen Glenn Koetzner Diana Lombardi Joleen Nevers Stacey Anne Thompson

Regina Dyton Frank O'Gorman Quinton Johansen Jerimarie Liesegang Haley A. McCarthy Anja Schaedler

Intern: Natasha Lombardi

Other Conference Volunteers Every conference with the size, scope, and quality of Transgender Lives requires a tremendous amount of effort from quite a number of people. The conference organizing committee would like to gratefully acknowledge the contributions of all those volunteers who have helped to make our conference a success but are not explicitly listed here.

The People Behind Transgender Lives

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

The People Behind Transgender Lives

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Some Words of Thanks As I mention year-after-year, putting on a conference such as ours requires an enormous amount of work, planning, thought, effort, and cooperation of all those engaged and touched by this conference. It is only appropriate to acknowledge the vital contributions made by those who have made todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sixth Annual Transgender Lives Conference a reality. A very special "Thank You!" this year must go to Joanne LaMothe and Professor Judy Lewis of Community Based Education of the University Of Connecticut School Of Medicine. Without their ongoing help and offering of this amazing facility at UCHC, this conference would not be possible. We owe a debt of gratitude to our many advertisers, exhibitors, and sponsors, especially our Platinum-level sponsors - the Connecticut State Department of Education, Crazy Dog Photography, Fenway Health, and Google. It is always important to remember and thank our two sister organizations: The Connecticut Outreach Society and The Twenty Club for their continuous help and support. The Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford has our thanks for providing us with meeting space throughout the year. Thanks go out to our many workshop presenters for sharing their experiences and knowledge with us. The time and energy required to present such high-quality workshops is very much appreciated. A special

Some Words of Thanks

thank you goes out to Jennifer Levi for giving this year's keynote address and for her many years of service to the community. Each year the upcoming conference is assessed and approved by the Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition’s board and the extensive planning and organizing is performed by the conference organizing committee - a group composed of our board members, community members, and allies. Much of what they do is obvious - such as the programming, the program book, and the website but much takes place behind the scenes and all of it is the result of lots of work. This group spends over six months planning, organizing, and preparing all the conference details. This includes monthly face-to-face meetings, bi-weekly conference calls, and hundreds of email messages - plus the coordination between the UCONN Health Center and with the various organizations that contribute to this event. Thank you all so much. I want to end this note by thanking you. Transgender Lives: The Intersection of Health and Law Conference has now been running for 6 consecutive years – and is now the major Transgender Health and Law Conference in the Northeast. Without you, the conference participant, trans-person, significant other, ally, sponsor, or contributor, none of us would have this day with all of its offerings. We owe a very deep and sincere debt of gratitude and homage to all of you who have taken this day out of your weekend to learn, to share and to rejoice in what one parent had said so eloquently “There is no alternative to being yourself!” Sincerely, Jerimarie Liesegang, Ph.D. Executive Director, CTAC

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Some Words of Thanks

A peer support group run by and for the transsexual community About us: The Twenty Club meets at 2:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month at the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective, 1841 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 06114. Historically, Twenty Club has had close ties with the Gender Identity Clinic of New England, Inc., but the organizations are separate. Though we are willing and able to provide information about the Clinic, one need not be a Clinic patient in order to participate in Twenty Club. Mission: Our primary purpose is to provide knowledgeable information and ongoing peer support to transsexuals throughout the many stages of their gender transition. Twenty Club meetings are structured to provide support, information, and open acceptance. Friends and relatives are encouraged to attend meetings in the hope of gaining an improved understanding and acceptance of their loved one's gender dysphoria. The Twenty Club is nonprofit and non-sexual. As a support group, we are neither a dating service nor an instant source of new best friends. We are a secular organization with no religious affiliation, and we hold no prejudice against any group of people. As need demands (and resources allow), the Twenty Club publishes a newsletter, Twenty, designed to serve people with gender dysphoria as well as helping professionals. From time to time, we also act as an educational organization, and occasionally have professional speakers on subjects of interest to genderdysphoric persons. We also have social get-togethers, club parties, outreach events, and a speaker's bureau. Mailing address: Twenty Club, 125 Parklawn Dr, Waterbury, CT 06708; Telephone Number: Please use email; Meeting Address: 1841 Broad Street, Hartford, CT (at the HGLHC), Official website: http://www.twentyclub.net, Official WebLog: http://twentyclub.blogspot.com, E-mail address: twentyclub@gmail.com

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Some Words of Thanks

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Index of Adversisors and Sponsors At First Glance Publishing ............................................................................... 34 Baystate Health................................................................................................ 7 CABO ............................................................................................................. 10 City of Hartford Commission on LGBT Issues................................................... 12 Connecticut State Department of Education........................... Inside Front Cover Connextions ................................................................................................... 53 Connecticut Outreach Society (COS) ............................................................... 22 Crazy Dog Photography ........................................................... Inside Back Cover Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition (CTAC) .................................................. 12 Connecticut Woman's Education and Legal Fund (CWELF) .............................. 12 David Daniel Berdon Memorial Fund .............................................................. 51 Diversity Works LLC.......................................................................................... 4 EnGAYged Weddings ...................................................................................... 53 Fantasia Fair................................................................................................... 47 Fenway Health ................................................................................................ 2 Danie Fineman ............................................................................................... 15 Gonzalez & Associates P.C. ....................................................................... 8 & 22 Google ............................................................................................................. 1 GROW Coaching LLC....................................................................................... 34 Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective ...................................................... 9 Immanuel Congregational Church ...................................................................... Irenes Lingerie Shop ....................................................................................... 21 Jim Collins Foundation ................................................................................... 54 Laurel Graphic Design .................................................................................... 34 MCC Hartford................................................................................................. 48 New Civil Rights Movement............................................................................ 46 Nonprofit MediaWorks .................................................................................. 46 Nutmeg State Federal Credit Union ................................................................ 36 Out Film Festival ............................................................................................ 54 Planned Parenthood of Southern New England .............................................. 46 Rainbow Times..................................................................... Outside Back Cover Jeffrey Spiegel ................................................................................................ 56 Twenty Club ................................................................................................... 52 UCONN Rainbow Center................................................................................. 48 UCONN School of Social Work ........................................................................ 36

Index of Adversisors and Sponsors

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Schedule for the Day 8:00 am - 9:00 am Registration with Continental Breakfast

Lobby

9:00 am - 9:15 am Welcoming Remarks

Patterson Auditorium

9:30 am - 10:30 am How can I help?: Being a Cis-gendered Ally to the Trans Community Haley McCarthy & Joleen Nevers

Friends

There are No Stupid Questions! Michelle Hansen

Listening to Ourselves: Trans People Challenging Internalized Oppression Ida Hammer

Employer Equality Dan Weaver, Jenn Tracz, and Stacy Tierney

Massey Auditorium

How to Manage Your Healthcare: Interacting with the System Katy Tierney

Lecture Room A

Working with Transgender Clients Diana Lombardi and Pete Papallo

Schedule for the Day

10:30 am - 10:45 am Break 10:45 am - 11:45 am Coming Out Kinky Natasha Rose Lombardi and Jay Garrison

Friends

Binary Defiance: Non-Binary [Trans]gender Identities Lynden Dolan

Potential Dissociative Personality Traits Among Transmasculine Individuals, The Result of Their Gender, Identity and Sexuality Refuted by Society. TP Catalano

How to File a Discrimination Complaint at the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities Alix Simonetti and Cheryl Sharp

Lecture Room A

Artistic Expressions of Transgender Youth Tony Ferraiolo Supporting Transgender Rights at Work, School, and in the Community Diana Lombardi and Bill Howe

Massey Auditorium N

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Noon - 1:00 pm Lunch

Cafeteria

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Consent is Sexy! Liz Halla-Mattingly

Friends

Legalize Trans: National and International Developments in Trans Rights Noah Lewis

You've always been different, it's just a phase: Parent and Family Reactions to Children's Disclosure of Transgender Identity Carole MacKenzie

Facial Feminization Surgery: Maximizing Results Jeffrey Spiegel Focus on Trans Health: A Legal Perspective Dru Levasseur The Health Care Professional and the Transgendered Patient Janice Booth

Lecture Room A Massey Auditorium N

Schedule for the Day

2:00 pm - 2:15 pm Lobby

Break with Snacks 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm SOFFA Lounge

Asa Paradis

Friends

Intersex X0X Similarities and Differences with Intersex and Trans People A. Vickie Boisseau

Understanding Worldview: Culturally Competent Counseling for Transgender Individuals Patricia De Barbieri & Paul Levatino

Trans People: You Are Worthy of Respect Zachary Shay

The Jim Collins Foundation: Why Do We Need It? Dru Levasseur and Tony Ferraiolo Health and Healthcare of the Trans Patient Katy Tierney

Massey Auditorium N

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Keynote Address Jennifer Levi

Patterson Auditorium

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Notes These pages are intentionally left blank to provide you with space to keep notes.

Notes

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Map of UCONN Health Center First Floor

Map of UCONN Health Center

Second Floor

The 6th Annual Transgender Lives Conference

Map of UCONN Health Center