Men to Take Major Role in IFGE 2008 Conference
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02/13/2008
For immediate release - please distribute broadly
February 13, 2008
Contacts:
IFGE 2008 Producer IFGE 2008 media contact
Dr. S. Kristine James C. Michael Woodward
TransEvents USA Wingspan
(610) 759-1761 (520) 624-1779, x117
s.kristine.james@... <mailto:s.kristine.james@...>
mwoodward@... <mailto:mwoodward@...>
Conference Web site:
www.transeventsusa.org/ifge<
https://exchange.wingspan.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.transeventsusa.org/ifge>
Early bird registration deadline: February 24
Men to Take Major Role in IFGE 2008 Conference
In keeping with its theme "Toward a Greater Diversity", the IFGE Annual
conference has successfully engaged many leaders and champions for the FTM
community to take part in its 23rd Annual Conference. The
conference, which runs from Monday, March 31, 2008, to Saturday, April
5, 2008, is being held in Tucson, Arizona at the Doubletree Reid Park
Hotel. Wingspan's Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA) is the local
host committee. Past conferences have been decidedly transfeminine-oriented, but
organizers made concerted outreach efforts for 2008 to transgender men, as well
as people of color and allies of all ages, to ensure a broad range of issues,
identities, and dialogues are represented in Tucson.
While pre-conference excursions and social activities start Monday, theactual
conference program kicks off Thursday morning, April 3, with aplenary session
featuring renowned activist Jamison Green, author of theprize-winning book
Becoming a Visible Man. Green has served on numerousnational and international
boards and received many awards for his work.
Following a welcome by Tucson Mayor Robert Walkup, Mr. Green will
address the attendees on the Conference theme of diversity. His
international travel in service to the transgender community has
introduced him to an amazing array of transgender expression, yet he has
observed distinct similarities among diverse groups. In this session, he will
reflect on the evolution of the transgender community-or communities-and the
meaning and importance of diversity for our movement. Later in the conference,
Green will also present a workshop session titled "Identity Crisis-an open
discussion about who we are."
Green's appearances are only two of many excellent seminars of special
interest to the FTM community. Moonhawk River Stone, MS, a past IFGE
Board Chair, will present several sessions, including "Being A Guy (For the FTM
identified only)"; "How To Successfully Transition In Your Employment;" and
"Moving Beyond Gender Identity Disorder (GID): Creating A New Paradigm For
Transgender Gender Identity."
Other FTM-lead sessions include (but are not limited to) "Privilege: Who has
it?" chaired by Lore M. Dickey. Mr. Dickey will also present "Sexual Identity
Development in the FTM: A Qualitative Study." Clark A. Pomerleau, PhD, will
discuss "Masculine Spectrum Identity, Alliances, and Feminism". Sam Allen, LPC,
will lead "No Skirt, No Heels, No Service? Addressing FTM Participation &
Inclusion in the Transgender Movement," and artist Rae Strozzo will discuss
"Queering the Lens: The History of Photography in Transgendered Art (especially
by transmen)."
"Ways that Work to Build Your Group: Harness the Power of Community"
will be presented by Rabbi Levi Alter, and Nathan Levitt is slated to
discuss "Defend Your Health: Trans Health Empowerment for FTMs."
Finally, TC Tolbert of the Pima County Health Department will
participate in discussing "The Prism Project: Building a support program for
transgender youth"
Transmasculinity is also reflected in the conference entertainers. The
Saturday night gala includes gender benders Dragstar Cabaret as well as Too Much
Information, a popular Tucson rock and blues band, featuring FTM lead singer
Michael Woodward, who is also the conference
co-coordinator.
A number of medical and health sessions specifically for transgender men are
also planned. San Francisco surgeon Michael L. Brownstein M.D., FACS will
present "Chest Reconstruction in Female to Male Transgendered Patients" and Dr.
Sherman Leis will present "FTM Top and Bottom Surgery, Options and Results." Dr.
Toby Meltzer of Scottsdale, Arizona, will present "FTM Genital Reconstruction
Surgery and Ancillary Procedures."
Dr. Burt Webb will present "Surgical Options for FTMs or New Ideas
Regarding Hysterectomy and Vaginectomy." Colorado gender specialist
Marci L. Bowers, MD, will present "Surgical Options for FTMs:
Hysterectomy, Metaoidioplasty and Beyond."
The conference also features many activities of interest to everyone,
from horseback riding and a trip to Old Tucson Studios to health
screenings and workshops on topics ranging from politics to employment
to spirituality to youth. Some sessions will be presented in Spanish.
Other aspects of diversity are also represented, such as "No Crystal
Stair: Issues Regarding Transgender People of Color" and "Native
American Transgender People and HIV".
US Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) is scheduled to participate in a
Saturday morning town hall public forum, "How Did Tucson Get to Be Such an
Accepting Community?" which will also feature local FTM leader Kevin Q. Maxey,
MD, co-founder of SAGA.
Registration is now open and rooms are going fast! Early Bird Discount
Deadline is February 24, 2008. Please visit the Transgender 2008
conference website at
www.transeventsusa.org/ifge<
https://exchange.wingspan.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.transeventsusa.org/ifge> for complete details, including the complete
workshop schedule.
