Sessions at Gender Odyssey Family on Sunday 5th August

Rm 603

Most of us have role models for fatherhood, but few of us have learned how to be a father to a gender non-conforming child. Come share your personal experiences, successes, fears, and other lessons in a confidential environment of acceptance, understanding, and support.

This is the second of two sessions. You need not have attended the first in order to attend the other.

Note: This workshop is exclusively for fathers.

Presented by Robert Tovar

Rm 604

When the family of a gender-nonconforming child is headed toward divorce or separation, what information is important for a supportive parent to know? Learn from an experienced family law attorney who has worked with parents across the country. Parents are encouraged to share their experiences and bring questions and insights. Of course, your current relationship status is not a prerequisite for participation in this session.

Presented by Asaf Orr

Rm 605

Rm 606

During this session, you will hear from a number of gender-nonconforming and transgender identified adults. They will share with you how they define their gender, how they experience their bodies, and how they navigate everyday society. You will not hear personal coming out histories but rather an exploration of how wide-ranging gender expression and identity can be. This workshop will provide an opportunity to look ahead to some possible futures for your child and recognize the powerful effect of variables such as family support and increasing societal acceptance. The possibilities for our children are far greater than we can imagine—but we can start by providing this window.

Presented by Aidan Key

Rm 606

TRANS is an extraordinary documentary feature about men and women, girls and boys... and all the variations in between. It is about the Transgender Community, perhaps the most misunderstood and mistreated minority in America and around the world. Inspired by the incredible story of Dr. Christine McGinn and her important work as a transgender surgeon, TRANS provides an up-close and very personal vision into the lives, loves, and challenges of a remarkable cast of characters of all ages and from all walks of life.

NOTE: This movie has some thematic elements that are not appropriate for young children. It includes an upsetting scene and is not recommended for children under the age of 13.

Mark Schoen, PhD, producer; Chris Arnold, director/editor

Rm 605

Rm 603

This workshop will provide participants with an overview of the unique needs of transgender youth in schools and the legal tools that can be used to advocate for the needs of their patients and clients. In addition to providing participants with the legal knowledge they need, the workshop will outline the role of various professionals in those processes and ways to effectively advocate for the needs of their patients or clients.

Presented by Asaf Orr

Rm 604

We, as parents, are often required to field many questions from every place imaginable. What about our kids? How do we prepare them for questions that may come their way? An easy, practical way to address questions and comments is to implement role playing. This interactive session is designed to share the successful and not-so-successful family stories of what was/could have been said and, together, create for our children a repertoire of responses for a variety of expected and unexpected scenarios. No specific experience required; open and playful approaches nurtured and welcome!

Presented by Megan Kennedy, MA, LMHC

Rm 606

Self-harm and suicide rates for the overall transgender population remain high, and transgender youth are particularly vulnerable. Countless parents, guardians, and care providers of trans youth identify self-harm and suicide as their two largest fears. This workshop provides an opportunity to talk about this subject realistically, concentrating on direct ways to keep our kids safe. The main focus of this workshop, after identifying significant risk indicators, will be on sharing strategies, tools, and techniques with which to assemble an effective practical safety net. Participation encouraged; not mandatory.

Presented by Lukas Walther

Rm 603

How do we help our older kids navigate the complexities of a diverse gender identity? How do we sort out what is a teenage issue versus a gender issue? And, how do we distinguish our own journey from that of our child’s? We are two parents who have transgender young adult children who began their transition during the teen years. It was very important for us to have other parents with whom to share this journey. We hope to expand this rich conversation by exploring the challenges, as well as joys, of our collective parenting experiences. Join us in this interactive discussion.

Presented by Vicky Tovar

Rm 606

What is our story as parents and loved ones of gender-nonconforming youth? Let’s explore ways in which we seek and find pockets of resiliency in parenting. How do we avoid burn out, find allies, and thrive within both our families and in our communities. Join other family members while we dig a little deeper. As we share our stories, it is our hope that we build new capacity, find support, and fortify our courage and commitment to our children. Note: To provide the optimal environment, we ask that only parents and guardians attend this session.

Presented by Keylee Marineau, MA, LMHCA