TRANSforming Gender to examine vulnerabilities, challenges

CU Boulder’s Gender and Sexuality Center has announced the 11th annual TRANSforming Gender Conference, set for March 10-11 at CU Boulder’s Wolf Law Building.

The conference is free and open to the public. Organizers and co-sponsors are committed to addressing equity, support, visibility and scholarship for transgender, gender nonconforming and intersex people.

During this period when there is widespread misinformation about transgender and intersex people, and transgender rights in the U.S. are more at risk than ever before, the Gender and Sexuality Center is proud to provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about issues affecting the transgender and intersex community, and to offer several workshops that focus on practical avenues of advocacy and support.

This year’s speakers will highlight the vulnerabilities and challenges of defending transgender civil rights in the current climate. Willie Wilkinson, author of the Lambda Literary Award-winning book “Born On the Edge of Race and Gender: A Voice for Cultural Competency,” will be giving a keynote talk titled “TRANSformational Resistance With an Intersectional Lens” at 5 p.m. Friday, March 10.

Elle Hearns, the lead organizer of the first Black Lives Matter convening held in Cleveland, will give the second keynote talk at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 11. In her talk, “Invisible Life: Choosing to Be Seen,” Hearns will share a collection of thoughts pertaining to the increase in visibility for transgender people. 

The conference also will feature presentations tailored to a variety of audiences, from people first learning about transgender communities and how to be an ally, to audiences seeking more in-depth topics concerning contemporary transgender studies, transfeminism, and the impact of colonialism on transgender indigenous communities.

One series of workshops will address aspects of trans-inclusive mental health care, and another series of workshops focuses on supporting transgender parents, parents of transgender children, and transyouth.

Participants will have the opportunity to expand their network of affirming people and learn strategies for advocating for and supporting all gender-diverse people.

To register for the conference and view the full schedule, please visit http://www.colorado.edu/gsc/transforming-gender-conference-0