|
About Our
Conference | Details | Scholarships | Sponsorships | Register
Programming
Parent Workshops | Youth
Workshops
Our programming schedule will
be designed to optimize a family’s experience. Older kids
and teens will have their own workshops at the same time as the parent-related
sessions, while the younger children have fun, supervised playtime activities.
All family programming will be held close to the childcare area.
Family liaisons will be available prior to and during
the conference to assist in any way needed.
WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THE WEEKEND:
• Amazing presentations, panel discussions and interactive
forums where parents can explore the issues related to raising children
who do not fit into society’s current expectations of gender.
• Workshops for teens and older children throughout
the weekend.
• Friday Evening Family Reception
• Pool parties
• Sunday Evening Barbeque
• Excellent childcare for gender variant kids and
their siblings to play together while parents attend workshops.
• Two picnic lunches for families to meet, socialize,
and share experiences.
Parent
Workshops
• TERMINOLOGY
What are the differences between gender presentation, gender identity,
gender fluidity, and gender expression? This is an in depth exploration
of language and terminology of gender.
• NAVIGATING GENDER INSIDE/OUTSIDE OF THE
HOME
What are the obstacles my child might face? How can I best prepare my
child? This workshop will explore the day to day realities of parenting
gender non-conforming children.
• PARENTAL CONCERNS
How do I best protect my child? How do I tell my family, friends or
co-workers? How do we navigate disagreement within our family or between
parents? What are the specific concerns fathers may have? Parents will
have opportunities to share their experiences and learn from others.
• RAISING A GENDER-FLUID CHILD
Gender fluidity in our children and how, when, and where they express it can
bring up a host of situations that all may require different decisions. In this
workshop we will address how these situations influence our selves, our children,
and our families. How do we come to terms with our children’s
gender expression when it seems to keep changing? We will address the many issues
involved in raising gender non-conforming young children and teenagers.
• ADVOCACY FOR YOUR CHILD
How do I educate my child’s school, other children’s parents,
doctors or therapists? How can I protect my child from bullying? Here,
you will find practical steps any parent can take to support their child.
• THE FALLOUT
I feel the loss of my son/daughter. Will they be able to find love and
happiness? How do I talk to others when they ask about my child and
at the same time, respect my kid’s privacy? What kind of life
will my child have? This workshop will allow discussion for the wide
range of complicated questions that can arise.
• DEVELOPING YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM
How do I best love and support my child? In this session, we will offer
ways to develop strong self-esteem for your child and empower them as
an individual.
• WORKING WITH YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL
This workshop will bring together parents and professionals who have worked within schools
or with school administrations on behalf of gender variant children to further gender
awareness within elementary, middle, and high schools. We will explore a number of different
approaches and strategies for working with your child’s school to create a supportive, safe
and positive learning environment.
• MOVING FORWARD
How do I decide when or if to change pronouns? How can I best celebrate
and empower my child? This session looks at practical steps parents
can take to support children.
• SHOULD I CONSIDER MEDICAL INTERVENTION?
If so, what’s reasonable? Do I wait until my child is an adult?
What about puberty? What if my kid changes his/her mind? In this workshop
we will explore the pros and cons of physical changes.
• MANAGING HEALTHCARE
This session will provide current medical information about endocrinology—hormones,
physical changes, side effects, and insurance options.
Youth
Workshops
Our youth programming is developed by gender variant
and transgender youth themselves. These workshops, and the entire conference experience,
will help youth across North America connect, develop friendships, and
learn about themselves and others. By creating these opportunities,
we hope to help gender variant and transgender youth empower themselves
and decrease their own risk for some very real problems, such as physical,
emotional, and psychological abuse, homelessness, drug use, and suicide.
Examples of youth programming:
• Navigating barriers in higher education such
as discriminatory admissions policies
• Lack of safe housing
• Conflicts or lack of understanding at home
• Homelessness
• Conflicts between religion and gender
• Language and identity generation gaps
• Connecting with other youth
• How to find what you need online—and stay
safe while doing it
• What about dating? How do we begin?
• Decisions about hormones and surgery
• Access to trans-friendly and youth-friendly medical
services |
