In the larger political socioeconomic realm, and even within our own 'GLBT' culture, the T is too often misunderstood, stigmatized and marginalized. But all is not lost! There is no greater cure for ignorance than education, and there are no better educators about transgender issues than transgender-identified people. This workshop will provide the background and tools you need to share your own story, starting with reflection and preparation, and ending with a polished presentation. Emphasis will be placed on how to share your story in three forms of media, ranging in nature from most anonymous to most public: the Written Word, the Internet Word, and the Spoken Word. You will enjoy a warm-up writing exercise, and will take home handouts with the workshop outline and resources for further consideration. Remember: You do not have to be an expert in order to be yourself, and now more than ever, being yourself and sharing your story is the most empowering weapon against the troubles we face.

Milo Primeaux is a gay transman, and serves as a board member and treasurer of TransOhio. In this role, he regularly speaks to college classrooms and corporate diversity committees on a variety of transgender topics, and participates in the planning of the annual TransOhio Transgender and Ally Symposium. Milo is also a graduate of the United Way’s Pride Leadership Program, which prepares LGBT professionals to serve on non-profit boards and committees. Previously, Milo founded and directed the Mount Holyoke Brothers and Others (MoHoBOs), a transgender student organization on the country’s longest-running all-women’s college campus. During his time there, he helped initiate the first official dialogue about trans-students with the administration, faculty, staff and student body. As a recent alum of the Ohio State University, Milo is currently preparing to pursue a career in law and non-profit management.

In the workshop we explore the Christian and Hebrew Scriptures looking at origins, politics, and misinterpretations of these texts as they apply to Transgendered folk. It concludes with arriving at the central message of creation, that humanity was created out of love by a divine being who is both masculine and feminine.

Rev. Patti Smith is an ordained deacon in the Catholic Apostolic Church in North America, She Pastors Sts. Francis and Clare Mission. Patti is a NY licensed Social Worker and works advocating for the rights of Transgender people in religious organizations and training police officers. Patti holds a M.S. in Organizational Leadership, an M.A. in Catholic Theology, and an M.S.W. in Social Work. Patti worked as a religious education teacher and program director for eight years. She is a retired police officer and Army National Guard Captain. Patti is the proud parent of a son and daughter both in college. Patti is the Author of "Transgender Transition Spirituality".

Saturday, March 13th at 10:30 am

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 Ring Flap Metoidioplasty, Simple Metoidioplasty, Scrotoplasty, Chest surgery, and basic healthcare for transmen. This talk is useful for the FtM community. She will also be available for general questions following her talk, but for in depth consultation, an appointment is recommended at our nearby office. Consult appointments can be made by contacting the office at 215-693-1199.

Dr. McGinn is a plastic surgeon whose formal training was tailored specifically to transgender surgery. Her surgical practice includes FtM/MtF genital surgery, “FFS”, FtM “Top” surgery as well as general cosmetic surgery. She is the founder of Papillon Gender Wellness Center in New Hope, Pennsylvania. PGWC is a gender wellness co-op that includes many professional services in addition to Plastic Surgery, offered in a trans-friendly environment. Her focus is to promote the importance of a holistic approach to helping gender variant individuals. Her practice includes an emphasis on preventive medicine, aftercare, research, community outreach, and therapeutic support systems. Of special interest to Dr McGinn are long-term outcomes to gender confirmation surgery and contra-hormone therapy as they relate to improved quality of life and sexual health for gender variant individuals. Since her own transition in 2000, she has been an activist and speaker on many aspects of gender variant issues. She is frequently called upon by television and print media to comment on transgender topics. In addition to her practice, she devotes time to many Universities and Medical Schools in order to train our future health care providers about the fascinating field of transgender medicine.

This participatory workshop will explore issues faced by couples--married or otherwise--that contain one transgender partner. We’ll try to learn what techniques and methods can help committed relationships survive the “T storm”.

Saturday, March 13th at 1:45 pm

Nathaniel Wolfe is a black belt instructor of Bai Lung Kung Fu and Tai Chi at the Carlisle Kung Fu Center. He is also a certified yoga teacher in the Himalayan Tradition and the owner of the Carlisle Hatha Yoga Center. He has spent the better part of the last decade studying martial arts, martial strategy, movement, self-awareness, and yoga, as well as the meditative techniques and philosophical aspects of eastern traditions.

Mr. Wolfe graduated with a Bachelor's degree, double majoring in English/Writing, and History, with a minor in philosophy from Messiah College in 1994. He has lived in the mountains of Perry County with his wife since 1997.

Mr. Wolfe was involved in Renaissance LSV chapter in the late 90's and early 2000's, where he also served on the board and edited the monthly newsletter. In the recent past, he has served on the Board of Directors of Common Roads.

This workshop will instruct participants on how to legally change their names in Pennsylvania and correct the gender markers on their major identity documents. The instructor will guide participants through a sample fill-in-the blank name change petition that they can later use to draft their actual petitions to file with the court. This workshop will also review workplace issues related to identity documentation and provide an overview of current advocacy efforts related to transgender people's access identity documentation. Participants will leave this workshop with an understanding of how to correct their own identity documents and how to get involved in ongoing efforts to change transphobic state policies related to identity documentation.

Natalie Hrubos is an attorney with Littler Mendelson where she represents and counsels management clients in all aspects of labor and employment law. Prior to joining the firm, Natalie worked in the legal clinic at Equality Advocates Pennsylvania where she helped low-income transgender people obtain legal name changes and correct their identity documents. She received her J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law where she served as Editor-in-Chief of Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review.

Saturday, March 13th at 3:15 pm

This is a participatory workshop for Transmen only.  The workshop leaders plan to discuss several topics of concern to today's Transman including the transition process, relationship issues, the status of the Transmen Community as well as sharing of stories, humor, challenges and successes.

The workshop will explore the issues in transgender medicine.  It will include a didactic presentation with numerous case examples and a discussion of the medical evaluation and hormonal treatment for both male to female and female to male individuals.

At the completion of this session the participant should be able to:

• Describe medical evaluation for transgender individuals

• Discuss the hormonal treatment options and protocols

Dr. Richard Levine is the Chief of the Division of Adolescent Medicine and Eating Disorders at Penn State- Hershey Medical Center. He is experienced in Trans-medicine and sees a number of children, adolescents and young adults for HRT and medical follow-up. He is pleased to accept any pediatric patients and patients in their teens and twenties for this medical care. He also see adults through age 50 for the medical management of an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia which can sometimes be present in Trans patients. His practice is located in a private office building across the street from the medical center in Hershey with easy access and privacy.

Saturday, March 13th 4:30 pm

Come join us for some refreshments and talk.