Topic: Conferences and Meetings

IFGE staff hosted a panel presentation at Harvard University on Monday May 17, 2004. Executive Director Denise Leclair led the presentation to a packed classroom, along with staff members Joan Hoff and Sarah Thompson. "Psychology of the Gendered Self" is taught by Joanna Rohrbaugh, Ph.D. through the Harvard Extension School.

The annual presentation by IFGE is one of the capstones of the course, which explores the social construction of gender.

GLBT Poconos Resort Rainbow Mountain is having their TG/CD Weekend May 21-23.

With a special book reading by Helen Boyd, the author of My Husband Betty (and you can read a review from The Village Voice) plus the Shangri-La-De-Da Show on Friday and Piano Bar with singer/songwriter/musician Michael Ferreri on Saturday. Plus, we've got a Fashion Show on the agenda. No, ladies, not just you in your finery this time, but an outside vendor who would like you to see her line. We will be needing models, so contact us if you would like to participate.

For more information

Trans-Partners forum at GLBT Center/NY

Tuesday, June 8, 2004
7 - 9 pm

The Center's Public Policy Committee, Center Kids, and the Gender Identity Project present a forum on the challenges facing individuals who are, or have been, or seek to be in relationships or partnerships with transgender, gender-different and gender questioning people. Experts and community members will explore some of the social, legal, medical and personal issues facing partners of trans, gender-different and gender question people, including:

Originally appeared in Transgender Tapestry #103, Fall 2003.
written by and photographs by Mariette Pathy Allen

Many of our readers will know Southern Comfort is an annual conference held every September-October in Atlanta, Georgia. Now in its 12th year, SCC, or SoCo, as it is variously called, routinely draws more than 500 attendees. Robert Eads loved SCC. He was there at its inception, and attended every year of his life. It?s fitting that Kate Davis chose to name her film, which tracks Robert?s last months, as he was dying of ovarian cancer, after the conference he loved so well.

Originally appeared in Transgender Tapestry #102, Summer 2003.

by Lacey Leigh

Attending a gender convention such as Southern Comfort Conference can be an empowering experience. For three or four magical days, the normally closeted transgendered individual finds caring company, strength in numbers, and abundant opportunities for open and joyous expression of gender.

Some never leave the refuge of the conference hotel, preferring to enjoy the comfort and support of peers while taking in the myriad discussions, seminars, and workshops. Those who are a touch more adventurous sally forth with like-minded friends to savor the exhilarating experience of public social interaction. They learn to mingle with the unenlightened public and are often surprised at the absence of the dreaded disfavor so often imagined. They utilize municipal transportation, engage in conversations with non-TGs at coffee shops and nail salons, and perform personal outreach at delicatessens and Kinko?s copy shops.