TIES 2020 Horario y Programa

Abajo está el horario y descripciones del programa de la séptima Conferencia anual de Información y Empoderamiento Transgénero (TIES 2020), presentada por Capital One. Le invitamos a tomar un poco de tiempo para explorar el horario y las descripciones, y luego empezar a planear sus días en la conferencia. Estamos agradecidos a nuestros/as/xs oradores/as/xs, presentadores/ax/xs, panelistas, y facilitadores/as/xs maravillosos/as/xs que hacen posible este programa, además del personal, voluntarios/as/xs, voces comunitarias, voces comunitarias de fe, socios de la clínica legal, y patrocinadores quienes apoyan esta conferencia.

Le invitamos a leer las descripciones de cada taller (seminario), presentación, evento social, y reunión para obtener un sentido más amplio del contenido que TIES ofrece, y para mirar las biografías de los/las/lxs presentadores/as/xs para familiarizarse con los individuos que generosamente han dado su tiempo y experiencia para ofrecer estas sesiones. ¡Que espere conectarse con comunidad, encontrar recursos, aprender sobre tópicos de acceso a cuidado médico a justicia racial, hay algo para todos en TIES 2020!

Click here to read this page in English.

Horario

Miércoles, el 14 de octubre

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*Le pedimos con respeto que usted solamente asista a las sesiones marcadas un asterisco si se identifica con la comunidad descrita en el título.  Por favor lea las descripciones de los talleres abajo para más información sobre estas sesiones.

~ Los talleres que tengan una tilde después de su título tendrán interpretación entre inglés y español gracias a Trans Terps DC.

12:00-1:00pm

De Stonewall a un futuro transgénero y negro:  Un discurso con Miss Major Griffin-Gracy ~
Facilitador: E. Lee Dyer, IV (he/him/él)

Como veterana de Stonewall y una persona transgénero revolucionaria Negra de toda su vida, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy va a participar en un discurso donde comparte sus pensamientos sobre los movimientos de las personas transgénero y justicia racial que han desarollado hasta donde estamos hoy.  También, ella va a reflejar en su increíble legado para proveer visiones para un futuro de liberación de Negros, Sureños, personas transgénero y queer en nuestros tiempos.  Habrá tiempo para preguntas del público.

1:30-2:30pm

Prejuicio implícito:  ¿Sabe usted lo que es? ~
Presentador:  Bryan Price (he/him/él)

Durante este taller de dos horas, aprenda lo que es prejuicio implícito y las diferencias entre prejuicio implícito y racismo.  Por discursos y una presentación de un video, aprenda cómo el prejuicio implícito se manifiesta y cómo nos impacta en nuestras vidas diarias.  Finalmente, aprenda un plan de ocho puntos para identificar y abordar el prejuicio implícito.  Este taller único durará de la una y media a las tres y media de la tarde. Antes del taller:  https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html.

Sepa sus derechos:  Las nuevas protecciones de empleo en Virginia
Presentadora:  Nicole Tortoriello (she/her/ella)

Desde el primero de julio, los/las/lxs empleados/as/xs de Virginia han disfrutado de una multitud de nuevas protecciones para empleados/as/xs bajo la Ley de Valores Virginianos (Virginia Values Act), la Ley de Justicia del Embarazo (Pregnant Workers Fairness Act), y la Ley CROWN.  Las leyes protegen a los/las/lxs trabajadores/as/xs virginianos/as/xs de discriminación basado en quienes son – incluso su raza, color, religión, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad de género, estado civil, embarazo, parto, o condición médica incluso la lactancia, edad, estado de veterano u origen nacional.  Durante esta sesión, Nicole Tortoriello, La Consejera de Leyes de Advocacia de la Sociedad de Mujeres Seculares (Secular Society Women’s Rights Advocacy Counsel) con el ACLU de Virginia, va a hablar sobre lo que necesitan saber los/las/lxs empleados/as/xs LGBTQ+ sobre estas nuevas protecciones y cómo usarlas.  Habrá tiempo para preguntas.

Tertulia de personas trangénero-masculinas* ~
Facilitadorxs:  Kelly Royster (he/him/él) y Ted Heck (cualquier pronombre)

Esta tertulia está dirigida hacia individuos que son personas transgénero o diversas en género que tienen una identidad y una expresión masculina.  Juntos, vamos a compartir experiencias e información sobre nuestras transiciones sociales, legales, y/o médicas.  Este espacio es para aprender del uno al otro, abordar desafíos únicos a los individuos que son personas transgénero masculinos, y conectarnos a nuestra comunidad más amplia.

2:30-3:30pm

Descanso social

¡Busque a un/a/x amigo/a/x! Le invitamos a usar este tiempo para aprovecharse de nuestra app Whova para conectarse con otros/as/xs participantes de la conferencia. Use la tecnología de mensaje directo para conectarse uno/a/x a uno/a/x, comentar en los hilos, y conocer a nuestros/as/xs socios/as/xs comunitarios/as/xs. ¡Feliz creación de redes de contactos!

3:30-4:30pm

Xpresiones musicales ~

Si le gustan buenas canciones, esta sesión es para usted.  ¡Durante esta sesión, vamos a cantar, hablar sobre y escuchar nuestras canciones favoritas, y ampliar nuestras listas de canciones en el cuarto musical!

4:30-5:30pm

Descanso social

¡Busque a un/a/x amigo/a/x! Le invitamos a usar este tiempo para aprovecharse de nuestra app Whova para conectarse con otros/as/xs participantes de la conferencia. Use la tecnología de mensaje directo para conectarse uno/a/x a uno/a/x, comentar en los hilos, y conocer a nuestros/as/xs socios/as/xs comunitarios/as/xs. ¡Feliz creación de redes de contactos!

Reunión de Diversidad en la Recuperación
Facilitadorxs:  Benita Mayo, Charley Burton, Matthew Carter, Meredith Polson, Chris Doran.

Este espacio está abierto para cualquier persona en recuperación que necesita una hora para su recuperación.  Vamos a ofrecer este espacio cada tarde del 14 de octubre al 16 de octubre de las cuatro y media a las cinco y media de la tarde y el 17 de octubre de las tres y media a las cuatro y media de la tarde.  Diversidad en Recuperación no es afiliado con AA ni NA pero somos un espacio para LGBTQ BIPOC (personas de color negras e indígenas) y aliados/as/xs para hablar de la recuperación y cualquier cosa que amenaza esta recuperación.  Esta reunión es abierta.  Aprenda más sobre nosotros:  www.diversityinrecovery.org. 

5:30-6:30pm

El estado de Leyes de inmigración en 2020 ~
Presentador:  Miguel Rivera (he/him/él)

Las leyes federales de inmigración están siempre cambiando y muchos/as/xs inmigrantes transgénero, no binarios/as/xs, y cisgéneros/as se encuentran en situaciones aún más difíciles como resultado.  Este taller va a cubrir programas que benefician a los/las/lxs inmigrantes y cambios en las leyes federales que impactan a los estados legales y estados de inmigración de las personas, con atención especial en cómo los/las/lxs inmigrantes transgénero y LGBQ están afectados/as/xs y cómo pueden encontrar ayuda.  Habrá tiempo amplio para preguntas.

Sobrepasar la falta de vivienda ~
Presentadorxs:  De Sube (she/her/ella), Jay Corprew (he/him/él), y Sarah Hustead (they/them/elle)

En este taller, vamos a hablar de los asuntos que se enfrentan las personas transgénero con una falta de vivienda incluso la discriminación en los albergues y la falta de recursos de vivienda que sean positivos para las personas transgénero por Virginia.  La vivienda es una de las necesidades más vitales que todas las personas compartimos.  Sin embargo, muchas personas transgénero se enfrentan con discriminación cuando buscan vivienda y empleo a pesar de leyes anti-discriminatorias.

El proceso nuevo de Virginia de cambiar nombre y género
Presentador:  Bary Hausrath (he/him/él)

¿Necesita usted cambiar su identificación o certificado de nacimiento?  ¡La ley ha cambiado!  Únase a un discurso de cambios recientes a la ley de Virginia, incluso la nueva opción de no binaria en las identificaciones del DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) y los cambios a los procedimientos para obtener un nuevo certificado de nacimiento de Virginia que concuerda con su género.  También, aprenda sobre la Clínica de Cambios de Nombre e Indicador de Género, cómo inscribirse, y qué esperar.  Habrá tiempo para preguntas.

7:00-8:00pm

Noche de trivia LGBTQ ~

¿Cuánto sabe usted sobre la historia Queer?  ¡Examine su conocimiento, haga algunos/as/xs amigos/as/xs, y diviértase con trivia de tema LGBTQ!

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Jueves, el 15 de octubre

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*Le pedimos con respeto que usted solamente asista a las sesiones marcadas un asterisco si se identifica con la comunidad descrita en el título.  Por favor lea las descripciones de los talleres abajo para más información sobre estas sesiones.

~ Los talleres que tengan una tilde después de su título tendrán interpretación entre inglés y español gracias a Trans Terps DC.

12:00-1:00pm

Defender vidas de las personas transgénero negras en Virginia:  un discurso de panel ~
Facilitadora:  Aurora Higgs (she/her/ella)
Panelistas:  Nathaniel Preston (he/him/él), Sara Simone (she/her/ella), y Dexter Davis (he/him/él)

¡La lucha para la liberación de personas transgénero y negras está viva en Virginia! Únase a un discurso de panel impactante con defensores negros y transgénero en Virginia que están haciendo una diferencia y que están defendiendo las vidas de personas negras y transgénero en sus comunidades. Venga a oír sobre sus experiencias, aprenda de sus perspectivas, y encuentre maneras de subir sus trabajos increíbles mientras exploramos cómo la lucha de vidas negras y transgénero está presentándose en áreas diferentes por Virginia. Habrá tiempo para preguntas del público.

1:30-2:30pm

Desde la autenticidad al poder transgénero:  un discurso con delegada Danica Roem ~
Presentadora:  delegada Danica Roem (she/her/ella)
Facilitadorx: Ali Moros Taylor (they/them/elle)

Únase con la delegada Danica Roem para un discurso impactante que va a cubrir su experiencia, su trabajo en y afuera de la Asamblea General como la primera legisladora abiertamente transgénero en Virginia, y sus consejos para las generaciones futuras de líderes transgénero, no binarios/as/xs, y aliados/as. Este discurso se facilita por un jóven transgénero, y usted va a estar inspirado/a/x, esperanzado/a/x, y empoderado/a/x. Habrá tiempo para preguntas del público.

Reunión de Hispanoparlantes* ~
Facilitadora: Gia Martinez (she/ella)

Esta reunión de hispanoparlantes será un refugio seguro del mundo anglófono. Hablaremos de temas que afectan a nuestra comunidad, centrando a lxs hispanoparlantes monolingües. Temas incluyen: migración, activismo, arte, salud transgénero, y más.

Tertulia de adultos mayores que son transgénero o personas no binarias*
Facilitador:  Charley Burton (he/him/él)

Esta tertulia es para personas transgénero y no binarias de 50 años de edad o mayores para crear conecciones y compartir recursos y experiencias.  ¿Cuáles son sus miedos sobre envejecer como una persona transgénero o no binaria? ¿Cuáles son sus desafíos médicos o emociones?  ¿A quién pides ayuda?  Esta es una sesión cerrada para personas transgénero y no binarias de 50 años de edad o mayores.  Esta tertulia se presenta por hombres negros transgénero.

2:30-3:30pm

Descanso social 

¡Busque a un/a/x amigo/a/x! Le invitamos a usar este tiempo para aprovecharse de nuestra app Whova para conectarse con otros/as/xs participantes de la conferencia. Use la tecnología de mensaje directo para conectarse uno/a/x a uno/a/x, comentar en los hilos, y conocer a nuestros/as/xs socios/as/xs comunitarios/as/xs. ¡Feliz creación de redes de contactos!

3:00-7:00pm

Horas del Centro de Bienestar de TIES

El Centro de Bienestar ofrece conversaciones gratis y no diagnósticas entre los participantes de TIES y proveedores de cuidado de salud que son amables a los/las/lxs clientes transgénero en los campos médicos y mentales que tienen entrenamiento y experiencia en dar cuidado que afirma a los clientes transgénero. Esta es una buenísima oportunidad de hacer preguntas, identificar recursos, y hablar en una manera general sobre los siguientes pasos en cumplir con sus necesidades de cuidado de salud. Los servicios están disponibles de manera de servir primero a los/las/lxs que llegan primero por hacer cita.

3:30-4:30pm

Espacio de trabajar en la escritura y la poesía ~

A veces la mejor manera de reflexionar sobre nuestros pensamientos y sentimientos es–en papel.  Esta sesión va a guiar a los escritores de todos los niveles por una actividad de escritura consciente.  ¡Utilice este espacio para reflejar y para empoderarse por su arte de escritura, y luego comparta!

4:30-5:30pm

Descanso social

¡Busque a un/a/x amigo/a/x! Le invitamos a usar este tiempo para aprovecharse de nuestra app Whova para conectarse con otros/as/xs participantes de la conferencia. Use la tecnología de mensaje directo para conectarse uno/a/x a uno/a/x, comentar en los hilos, y conocer a nuestros/as/xs socios/as/xs comunitarios/as/xs. ¡Feliz creación de redes de contactos!

Reunión de Diversidad en la Recuperación
Facilitadorxs:  Benita Mayo, Charley Burton, Matthew Carter, Meredith Polson, Chris Doran.

Este espacio está abierto para cualquier persona en recuperación que necesita una hora para su recuperación.  Vamos a ofrecer este espacio cada tarde del 14 de octubre al 16 de octubre de las cuatro y media a las cinco y media de la tarde y el 17 de octubre de las tres y media a las cuatro y media de la tarde.  Diversidad en Recuperación no es afiliado con AA ni NA pero somos un espacio para LGBTQ BIPOC (personas de color negras e indígenas) y aliados para hablar de la recuperación y cualquier cosa que amenaza esta recuperación.  Esta reunión es abierta.  Aprenda más sobre nosotros:  www.diversityinrecovery.org. 

5:30-6:30pm

Tertulia de las personas no binarias* ~
Facilitadorxs:  Levi Walter (they/elle) y Armand Fortin-Jonas (they/he/elle/él)

Este discurso de tertulia es para cualquier persona que se identifica fuera de la binaria de género de hombre o mujer para compartir experiencias e información relatadas a su transición social, legal, o médica.  Los/las/lxs participantes pueden hablar de los desafíos únicos a los individuos no binarios, aprender del uno/a/x al otro/a/x, y conectarse con una comunidad más grande.  Por favor tenga en cuenta que esta sesión es solamente para ellos/as/xs que se identifican fuera del binario de género.

Tertulia de padres/madres y los/las/lxs que cuidan* ~
Facilitadora:  Shannon McKay (she/her/ella)

Este taller va a ofrecer un espacio seguro para padres y otros adultos en las familias de personas transgénero o no binarias para hacer conecciones, explorar los sentimientos, compartir experiencias, y preguntar sobre cómo apoyar a su ser querido/a/x. Por favor tenga en cuenta que este taller es para adultos de la familia de individuos transgénero de todas las edades.

Derechos de votar en Virginia
Presentadora:  Tierra Ragland (she/her/ella)

Virginia tiene una historia larga y fea de privación y represión de votantes. En el pasado, tácticas como impuestos de sondeo y pruebas de alfabetismo dejaron a los votantes negros inelegibles de emitir boletas; hoy, vemos medidas como leyes de identificación de votantes, derechos de votar quitados de ciudadanos regresando, máquinas de votar que no funcionan o que no son seguras, y colas largas. La Mesa de Participación Ciudadana de Virginia (The Virginia Civic Engagement Table) trabaja todo el año para asegurar de que los/las/lxs virginianos/as/xs tengan acceso libre a las boletas y que puedan emitir sus votos sin confusión ni intimidación. Este taller va a proveer información a los votantes que necesitan para asegurar de que tengan acceso seguro a la urna y maneras de proteger sus derechos de votar, especialmente como relata a las preocupaciones únicas a las personas transgénero y no binarias. También habrá tiempo para preguntas.

7:00-8:00pm

¡Exposición de talento:  luces, cámara, acción! ~

¡Es su momento en el foco!  Si su talento es hablar 7 lenguas, tocar un instrumento, o doblar una sábana ajustable, queremos que usted lo exhiba.  Esté seguro/a/x de inscribirse para jueves, el 15 de octubre a las 5:30 de la tarde para que usted pueda fanfarronear sus movimientos:  bit.ly/TIES2020TalentShow.

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Viernes, el 16 de octubre

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*Le pedimos con respeto que usted solamente asista a las sesiones marcadas un asterisco si se identifica con la comunidad descrita en el título.  Por favor lea las descripciones de los talleres abajo para más información sobre estas sesiones.

~ Los talleres que tengan una tilde después de su título tendrán interpretación entre inglés y español gracias a Trans Terps DC.

12:00-1:00pm

Abolición de cárceles, liberación de personas transgénero, y el arte:  un discurso con Dominique Morgan ~

Dominique Morgan va a guiar un discurso donde ella comparte sus pensamientos sobre los papeles de defensa y el arte de las personas transgénero en el servicio de la abolición de las cárceles y la liberación de personas transgénero y no binarias, especialmente las personas negras transgénero que han afrontado el encarcelamiento. Ella va a utilizar su experiencia vivida de estar impactada por el encarcelamiento masivo y una década de arte que produce cambios, defensa, y una formación en salud pública para describir cómo ella sigue trabajando en espacios de educación sexual, autocuidado radical, desarrollo transformativo de la juventud con las intenciones de desmontar el complejo industrial de cárceles y su impacto en nuestras comunidades. Habrá tiempo para preguntas del público.

1:30-2:30pm

Pregúntale a una persona transgénero
Facilitadora: Bianca Humady Rey (she/her)
Panalistas:  Jordin Cotman (she/her/ella), Ray Eck (he/him/él), y Caden Haney (he/him/él)

¿Es usted un/a/x aliado/a/x buscando cómo aprender más sobre la diversidad de experiencias de las personas transgénero? ¿Está interesado/a/x en aprender cómo involucrarse en la defensa de derechos para las personas transgénero? Muchas personas aún están aprendiendo lo que significa ser “trans”, y solamente una persona en diez sabe que ha conocido a una persona que es transgénero. Este discurso en panel “Preguntale a una persona trans” es el lugar perfecto para aliados/as/xs buscando un ambiente abierto y acogedor para profundizar su conocimiento sobre la comunidad de personas transgénero. Cuatro panalistas transgénero van a hablar sobre sus experiencias y captar al público en un diálogo sobre el papel que pueden tomar para ayudar a apoyar a la comunidad trans. Esta sesión va a tener tiempo amplio para preguntas del público.

Aguantar por COVID-19:  la curación y la capacidad de recuperación en 2020 ~
Presentadora:  Sarah Charbonneau (she/her/ella)

Es un año como ningún otro, entre temores de la pandemia de COVID-19, una visibilidad aumentando de violencia racista, inseguridad económica, y una elección inminente. Es el momento de apoyarse el/la/lx uno/a/x al otro/a/x, encontrar ayuda cuando la necesitamos, y fundarnos en nuestra capacidad de vencer situaciones difíciles. Este taller va a ser un espacio informal y empoderado para preguntar sobre lidiar durante tiempos difíciles y trabajar juntos para encontrar herramientas para la curación, la recuperación, y el auto-cuidado. Aviso general de contenido: es posible que abordemos tópicos difíciles o dolorosos durante este taller.

Opciones quirúrgicas para personas transgénero femininas o no binarias ~
Presentadora:  Dra. Keelee MacPhee, M.D. (she/her/ella)

Este taller provee una descripción general de procedimientos quirúrgicos para las personas transgénero femininas o no binarias.  Este taller es para cualquier persona que quiera aprender más sobre el proceso quirúrgico y los procedimientos antes y después de la cirugía.  Los tópicos que se van a incluir son la vaginoplastia, la feminización de la cara, la aumentación de los senos, y el contorno del cuerpo.  También habrá tiempo para hacer preguntas.

2:30-5:30pm

Descanso social

¡Busque a un/a/x amigo/a/x! Le invitamos a usar este tiempo para aprovecharse de nuestra app Whova para conectarse con otros/as/xs participantes de la conferencia. Use la tecnología de mensaje directo para conectarse uno/a/x a uno/a/x, comentar en los hilos, y conocer a nuestros/as/xs socios/as/xs comunitarios/as/xs. ¡Feliz creación de redes de contactos!

3:00-5:00pm

Horas del centro de bienestar de TIES

El Centro de Bienestar ofrece conversaciones gratis y no diagnósticas entre los participantes de TIES y proveedores de cuidado de salud que son amables a los/las/lxs clientes transgénero en los campos médicos y mentales que tienen entrenamiento y experiencia en dar cuidado que afirma a los clientes transgénero. Esta es una buenísima oportunidad de hacer preguntas, identificar recursos, y hablar en una manera general sobre los siguientes pasos en cumplir con sus necesidades de cuidado de salud. Los servicios están disponibles de manera de servir primero a los/las/lxs que llegan primero por hacer cita.

4:30-5:30pm

Reunión de Diversidad en la Recuperación ~
Facilitadorxs:  Benita Mayo, Charley Burton, Matthew Carter, Meredith Polson, Chris Doran.

Este espacio está abierto para cualquier persona en recuperación que necesita una hora para su recuperación.  Vamos a ofrecer este espacio cada tarde del 14 de octubre al 16 de octubre de las cuatro y media a las cinco y media de la tarde y el 17 de octubre de las tres y media a las cuatro y media de la tarde.  Diversidad en Recuperación no es afiliado con AA ni NA pero somos un espacio para LGBTQ BIPOC (personas de color negras e indígenas) y aliados para hablar de la recuperación y cualquier cosa que amenaza esta recuperación.  Esta reunión es abierta.  Aprenda más sobre nosotros:  www.diversityinrecovery.org. 

5:30-6:30pm

Opciones quirúrgicas para personas transgénero masculinas o no binarias ~
Presentadora:  Dra. Keelee MacPhee, M.D. (she/her/ella)

Este taller provee una descripción general de procedimientos quirúrgicos para las personas transgénero masculinas o no binarias.  Este taller es para cualquier persona que quiera aprender más sobre el proceso quirúrgico y los procedimientos antes y después de la cirugía, incluso la mastectomía.  Habrá tiempo para preguntas.

Tertulia de personas transgénero femininas* ~
Facilitadoras:  De Sube (she/her/ella) y Tiona Bowman (she/her/ella)

Esta tertulia es para los individuos transgénero y de diversidad de género que tienen una identidad o expresión feminina.  Juntas/xs, vamos a compartir experiencias e información relatadas a nuestra transición social, legal, y/o médica.  Este es un espacio para aprender de la/x una/x a la otra/x, enfrentar los desafíos únicos a los individuos transgénero femininos, y conectarnos con nuestra comunidad más grande.  

Cuidado médico para jóvenes que son transgénero o no binarios
Presentadoras:  Dra. Elyse Pine, M.D. (she/her/ella) y Deborah Dunn, PAC, MBA (she/her/ella)

Este taller va a cubrir información sobre productos que bloquean la pubertad, terapia de hormonas femeninas, terapia de hormonas masculinas, y regímenes individuales para jóvenes no binarios.  Vamos a hablar sobre las recomendaciones para el cuidado preventivo y la salud sexual.  Vamos a hablar brevemente sobre opciones quirúrgicas y estrategias para cobertura de seguro de salud para menores de edad.  Habrá tiempo disponible para preguntas y respuestas del público.

7:00-8:00pm

Amigos/as/xs rápidos/as/xs:  crear amistades rápidas y digitales ~

¡Conozca a su comunidad con un poco de crear amistades rápidas!  En este evento social, usted va a estar puesto en un cuarto con otros participantes y ustedes van a recibir instrucciones divertidas para “romper el hielo” (conocerse mejor), y aprender algunos hechos divertidos sobre el/la/lx uno/a/x al otro/a/x, y aun hacerse buenos/as/xs amigos/as/xs.

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Sábado, el 17 de octubre

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*Le pedimos con respeto que usted solamente asista a las sesiones marcadas un asterisco si se identifica con la comunidad descrita en el título.  Por favor lea las descripciones de los talleres abajo para más información sobre estas sesiones.

~ Los talleres que tengan una tilde después de su título tendrán interpretación entre inglés y español gracias a Trans Terps DC.

12:00-1:00pm

Voces de la siguiente generación:  un panel con jóvenes transgénero y no binarios negros ~
Facilitador:  Caden Haney (he/him/él)
Panelistas:  Jóvenes transgénero negros con Side by Side

¡Los jóvenes negros transgénero y no binarios son nuestra futura! Únase a este discurso en panel poderoso con jóvenes negros transgénero y no binarios de Virginia. Ellos van a unirse para compartir experiencias comunes y cómo han respondido a los alzamientos en defensa de vidas negras y otros eventos corrientes. También van a compartir sus perspectivas, esperanzas, y visiones para un futuro donde jóvenes negros transgénero y no binarios prosperan y van adelante. Habrá tiempo para preguntas del público.

1:00-3:00pm

Horas del centro de bienestar de TIES

El Centro de Bienestar ofrece conversaciones gratis y no diagnósticas entre los participantes de TIES y proveedores de cuidado de salud que son amables a los/las/lxs clientes transgénero en los campos médicos y mentales que tienen entrenamiento y experiencia en dar cuidado que afirma a los clientes transgénero. Esta es una buenísima oportunidad de hacer preguntas, identificar recursos, y hablar en una manera general sobre los siguientes pasos en cumplir con sus necesidades de cuidado de salud. Los servicios están disponibles de manera de servir primero a los/las/lxs que llegan primero por hacer cita.

1:30-2:30pm

Toma tiempo:  navegar la dinámica de la familia ~
Facilitadoras:  Circe Strauss (she/her/ella) y Shannon McKay (she/her/ella)

La transición es un viaje complejo tomado por todos en la familia, incluso no solo la persona transgénero o no binaria, pero también los padres, los/as/xs que cuidan, y otros parientes. Por ejemplo, ¿qué pasa cuando un/a/x hermano/a/x pregunta algo intrusivo en la escuela? ¿Cuando un/a/x abuelo/a/x no está de acuerdo? ¿Cuando una tía o un tío dice que los/as/xs primos/as/xs “son demasiado jóvenes para entender”? O, ¿qué pasa cuando los/as/xs padres no están de acuerdo en cómo mejor apoyar a su hijo/a/x? Esta sesión va a enfocarse en estas preguntas y más sobre las dinámicas complejas de la familia. Un discurso donde familias, aliados/as/xs, y personas transgénero y no binarias están invitados.

Tertulia de personas transgénero y no binarias negras, indígenas, y personas de color* ~
Facilitador: Charley Burton (he/him/él)

Esta va a ser una charla interactiva para todos los individuos transgénero, diversos de género y los/as/xs que están preguntándose sobre sus géneros que se identifican como negros/as/xs, indígenas, y personas de color (BIPOC). Juntos/as/xs, vamos a compartir experiencias e información que se relaciona a nuestras identidades de personas transgénero y no binarias que son negros/as/xs, indígenas, o personas de color. Este espacio es para aprender del uno/a/x al otro/a/x, enfocarse en desafíos únicos a las personas trans de color, y unirnos con nuestra comunidad.

Tertulia de jóvenes transgénero y no binarios*
Facilitadora:  Amber Beichler (she/her/ella)

Esta tertulia es para jóvenes transgénero y no binarios para compartir experiencias e información. Los/as/xs participantes pueden enfocarse en los desafíos únicos a los jóvenes transgénero y no binarios, aprender del uno/a/x al otro/a/x, y unirse con una comunidad más grande. Por favor tenga en cuenta que esta es una sesión cerrada para los jóvenes transgénero y no binarios entre las edades de 14 a 18 años. Una facilitadora adulta va a estar presente.

2:30-3:30pm

Descanso social

¡Busque a un/a/x amigo/a/x! Le invitamos a usar este tiempo para aprovecharse de nuestra app Whova para conectarse con otros/as/xs participantes de la conferencia. Use la tecnología de mensaje directo para conectarse uno/a/x a uno/a/x, comentar en los hilos, y conocer a nuestros/as/xs socios/as/xs comunitarios/as/xs. ¡Feliz creación de redes de contactos!

3:30-4:30pm

Círculo de meditación y conciencia plena ~
Facilitador:  John Taylor (he/him/él)

No importa dónde está o lo que hace, es seguro decir que todos podemos usar un poco de tiempo para parar y respirar.  Durante esta sesión usted podrá aprender de algunos de los beneficios de conciencia pura, y va a estar guiado/a/x por una práctica de meditación profundamente relajante.  ¡Todos los niveles de experiencia son recibidos con gusto!

Reunión de Diversidad en la Recuperación
Facilitadorxs:  Benita Mayo, Charley Burton, Matthew Carter, Meredith Polson, Chris Doran.

Este espacio está abierto para cualquier persona en recuperación que necesita una hora para su recuperación.  Vamos a ofrecer este espacio cada tarde del 14 de octubre al 16 de octubre de las cuatro y media a las cinco y media de la tarde y el 17 de octubre de las tres y media a las cuatro y media de la tarde.  Diversidad en Recuperación no es afiliado con AA ni NA pero somos un espacio para LGBTQ BIPOC (personas de color negras e indígenas) y aliados para hablar de la recuperación y cualquier cosa que amenaza esta recuperación.  Esta reunión es abierta.  Aprenda más sobre nosotros:  www.diversityinrecovery.org. 

4:30-5:30pm

Sepa sus derechos:  acceder al cuidado médico para personas transgénero en 2020
Presentador:  Noah Lewis (he/him/él)

¿Cómo le afecta a usted la revocación potencial de regulaciones específicamente para las personas transgénero bajo la Sección 1557 de la Ley del Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio y la decisión de la Corte Suprema en Bostock vs. Clayton County sobre su capacidad al acceso de cuidado de salud para las personas transgénero?  Vamos a explicar el panorama legal que cambia y contestar preguntas comunes sobre cómo obtener acceso al cuidado de salud relacionado a las personas transgénero bajo seguro de salud público y privado–incluso cómo saber lo que está cubierto y cómo cuestionar una exclusión.  En la mayoría de situaciones, negar cuidado de salud relacionado a las personas transgénero es ilegal.  Este webinar le va a ayudar a entender el panorama legal y cómo afirmar sus derechos.  Aprenda habilidades que puede compartir con su comunidad y sé una parte del avance de la igualdad de salud trans.  Habrá tiempo para preguntas. 

Escuelas:  cómo abogar para estudiantes transgénero y no binarios ~
Facilitadorxs:  Shannon McKay (she/her/ella) y DeHaven o Helen Mays (elle/ellx)

Sepa sus derechos y aprenda de maneras prácticas de abogar para usted mismo/a/x, su hijo/a/x, y/o sus estudiantes. Este taller está facilitado por líderes de He She Ze and We y Side by Side. Juntos/as/xs vamos a enfocarnos en las necesidades de la juventud en nuestros sistemas escolares y vamos a compartir estrategias con la gente que asiste. Educadores/as/xs, consejeros/as/xs, administradores/as/xs juntos con familias y aliados/as/xs están invitados a asistir a este taller interactivo.

El trabajo de organizaciones dirigidas por personas transgénero negras en Virginia ~
Presentadorxs:  Zakia McKensey (she/her/ella), Charley Burton (he/him/él), Tarena Williams (she/her/ella) y JL Pressley (he/him/él)

Únase un discurso de panel con los líderes de las organizaciones que están dirigidas por y sirven a las comunidades de personas negras transgénero y no binarias en Virginia, incluso Nationz Foundation, Black Transmen Inc., Southeastern Transgender Resource Center, y Alpha Omega Kappa Fraternity Inc. Cada líder va a compartir el trabajo que hace su organización para la comunidad, cómo los/las/lxs individuos/as/xs pueden obtener acceso a sus servicios o conectarse como se han adaptado en 2020, y cómo todos/as/xs pueden apoyar el trabajo de su organización.

6:00-7:00pm

Espectáculo de “Mostrar y Explicar” ~

¡Agarre algo amarillo, su planta más nueva, su máscara favorita–o zapatos–y explíquenoslo!  Vamos a acercarnos durante esta sesión semi-personal, donde le invitamos a mostrar algunas cosas de casa que son las más únicas y significativas.

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Recursos

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Centro de Bienestar de TIES 2020

Jueves, el 15 de octubre, 3-7 de la tarde
Viernes, el 16 de octubre, 3-5 de la tarde
Sábado, el 17 de octubre, 1-3 de la tarde

El Centro de Bienestar ofrece conversaciones gratis y no diagnósticas entre los participantes de TIES y proveedores de cuidado de salud que son amables a los/las/lxs clientes transgénero en los campos médicos y mentales que tienen entrenamiento y experiencia en dar cuidado que afirma a los clientes transgénero. Esta es una buenísima oportunidad de hacer preguntas, identificar recursos, y hablar en una manera general sobre los siguientes pasos en cumplir con sus necesidades de cuidado de salud. Los servicios están disponibles de manera de servir primero a los/las/lxs que llegan primero por hacer cita.

Clínica legal de TIES 2020

La clínica legal consiste en abogados calificados reuniéndose el/la/lx uno/a/x con el/la/lx otro/a/x con participantes de TIES por citas para proveer asistencia con el proceso de cambiar nombre y género, incluso: obtener órdenes de la corte, revisar las licencias de conducir, pasaportes, certificados de nacimiento, y otros documentos y archivos públicos sobre la identidad. La inscripción para citas va a estar en viva muy pronto y se puede inscribir hasta sábado, el 17 de octubre. Gracias al Colegio de Abogados de Igualdad de Virginia (Virginia Equality Bar Association, VEBA), la Facultad de Derechos en la Universidad de Richmond, BaryLaw, y el Bufete de Calderón Seguin por su ayuda. La página de registro está disponible aquí.

Grupos de apoyo Side by Side

Por favor tenga en mente que estas reuniones no son oficialmente partes de la conferencia TIES, pero es importante que los jóvenes transgénero y no binarios en Virginia sepan sobre espacios y recursos para ellos.  Por favor tenga en mente que se requiere inscripción en estas reuniones (haga clic en en enlace abajo) y se requiere permiso del padre o de la madre para jóvenes menores de 14 años de edad.

Jóvenes  LGBTQ+ de 11 a 14 años (escuela intermedia):  miércoles, 6:00 – 7:30 de la tarde

Jóvenes transgénero de 14 a 20 años:  jueves 6:30 – 8:30 de la tarde

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Patrocinadores

¡Muchísimas gracias a todos nuestros patrocinadores que hacen que TIES sea posible!

Patrocinador Presentador

Patrocinadores Colaborativos

TIES 2020 Schedule & Program

Below is the official schedule and program descriptions for the 7th Annual Transgender Information & Empowerment Summit (TIES 2020), presented by Capital One. We invite you to take some time to explore the schedule and descriptions, then start to plan your days at the conference. We are grateful for the amazing speakers, presenters, panelists, and facilitators who make this programming possible as well as for the staff, volunteers, community voices, community faith voices, legal clinic partners, and sponsors who support this conference. You can see a list of the many partner organizations who make TIES possible on our main TIES page here.

We invite you to read the descriptions for every workshop, keynote, social, and meeting to get a fuller sense of the content that TIES has to offer, and check out the presenter bios to get familiar with the individuals who have generously given their time and expertise to provide these sessions. Whether you are hoping to connect with community, find resources, or learn about topics from healthcare access to racial justice, there’s something for everyone at TIES 2020!

Haga clic aquí para leer esta página en español.

Schedule Overview

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* We respectfully request that you only attend sessions marked with an asterisk if you identify with the community described in the title. Please read the workshop descriptions below for more information about these sessions.

~ Workshops that have a tilde after their title will have interpretation between English and Spanish thanks to Trans Terps DC. 

Wednesday, October 14

12:00-1:00pm: From Stonewall to a Black Trans Future: A Keynote Discussion with Miss Major Griffin-Gracy ~

1:30-2:30pm: Workshop Sessions

• Implicit Bias – Do You Know What It Is? 
• Know Your Rights: Virginia’s New Employment Protections
• Trans-masculine Roundtable* ~

2:30-3:30pm: Networking Break

3:30-4:30pm: Musical Xpressions ~

4:30-5:30pm: Networking Break or Diversity in Recovery Meeting

5:30-6:30pm: Workshop Sessions

• The State of Immigration Law in 2020 ~
• Transcending Homelessness 
  
• Virginia’s New Name & Gender Marker Change Process
  

7:00-8:00pm: LGBTQ+ Trivia Night ~

Thursday, October 15

12:00-1:00pm: Defending Black Trans Lives in Virginia: A Keynote Panel ~

1:30-2:30pm: Workshop Sessions

• From Authenticity to Trans Power: A Discussion with Delegate Danica Roem ~
• Reunión de Hispanoparlantes/Spanish Speakers Roundtable*  
• Trans & Non-Binary Older Adults Roundtable*

2:30-3:30pm: Networking Break

3:00-7:00pm: TIES Wellness Center Hours

3:30-4:30pm: Writing & Poetry Work Space ~

4:30-5:30pm: Networking Break or Diversity in Recovery Meeting

5:30-6:30pm: Workshop Sessions

• Non-Binary Roundtable* ~
• Parent & Caregiver Roundtable* 
• Voting Rights in Virginia

7:00-8:00pm: Talent Show: Lights, Camera, Action!  ~

Friday, October 16

12:00-1:00pm: Prison Abolition, Trans Liberation, & Artistry: A Keynote Discussion with Dominique Morgan ~

1:30-2:30pm: Workshop Sessions

• Ask a Trans Person 
• Coping through COVID-19: Healing & Resilience in 2020 
• Trans-feminine/Non-Binary Surgical Options ~

2:30-5:30pm: Networking Break

3:00-5:00pm: TIES Wellness Center Hours

4:30-5:30pm: Diversity in Recovery Meeting ~

5:30-6:30pm: Workshop Sessions

• Trans-masculine/Non-Binary Surgical Options ~
• Trans-feminine Roundtable* ~
• Medical Care for Trans and Non-Binary Youth

7:00-8:00pm: Fast Friends: Digital Speed-Friending ~

Saturday, October 17

12:00-1:00pm: Voices of the Next Generation: A Keynote Panel with Black Trans & Non-Binary Youth ~

1:00-3:00pm: TIES Wellness Center Hours

1:30-2:30pm: Workshop Sessions

• It Takes Time: Navigating Family Dynamics 
• Trans & Non-Binary Black, Indigenous, & People of Color Roundtable* ~
• Trans & Non-Binary Youth Roundtable*

2:30-3:30pm: Networking Break

3:30-4:30pm: Meditation & Mindfulness Circle ~ or Diversity in Recovery Meeting

4:30-5:30pm: Workshop Sessions

• Know Your Rights: Accessing Trans Health Care in 2020
• Schools: How to Advocate for Trans and Non-Binary Students ~
• The Work of Black Trans-Led Organizations in Virginia 

6:00-7:00pm: Show ‘n’ Tell Showcase ~

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Wednesday, October 14

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* We respectfully request that you only attend sessions marked with an asterisk if you identify with the community described in the title. Please read the workshop descriptions below for more information about these sessions.

~ Workshops that have a tilde after their title will have interpretation between English and Spanish thanks to Trans Terps DC. 

12:00-1:00pm

From Stonewall to a Black Trans Future: A Keynote Discussion with Miss Major Griffin-Gracy ~
Facilitator: E. Lee Dyer, IV (he/him)

As a Stonewall veteran and lifelong Black trans female revolutionary, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy will participate in a keynote discussion where she shares her thoughts on the transgender and racial justice movements as they have evolved to where we are today. She will also reflect on her incredible legacy to provide visions for a future of Black, Southern, trans, and queer liberation in our time. There will be time for audience questions.

1:30-2:30pm

Implicit Bias – Do You Know What It Is? ~
Presenter: Bryan Price (he/him)

During this two-hour long workshop, learn what implicit bias is and the difference between implicit bias, prejudice, and racism. Through discussions and video presentation, learn how implicit bias manifests itself and impacts us in our daily lives. Lastly, learn an eight-point plan to identify and address implicit bias. If possible, take this implicit bias test before the workshop: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html. This unique workshop will last from 1:30pm- 3:30pm. 

Know Your Rights: Virginia’s New Employment Protections
Presenter: Nicole Tortoriello (she/her)

Since July 1, Virginia employees have enjoyed a host of new employment protections under the Virginia Values Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and the CROWN Act. The laws protect Virginia’s workers from discrimination on the basis of who they are – including their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including lactation, age, status as a veteran, or national origin. During this session, Nicole Tortoriello, the Secular Society Women’s Rights Advocacy Counsel with the ACLU of Virginia, will talk about what LGBTQ+ employees need to know about these new protections and how to use them. There will also be time for questions.

Trans-masculine Roundtable* ~
Facilitators: Kelly Royster (he/him) and Ted Heck (any pronouns)

This roundtable discussion is intended for trans and gender diverse individuals who have a masculine gender identity or expression. Together, we will share experiences and information related to our social, legal, and/or medical transition. This is a space to learn from each other, address challenges unique to trans-masculine individuals, and connect with our larger community.

2:30-3:30pm

Networking Break

Find a friend! We invite you to use this time to take advantage of our Whova app to network with fellow conference participants. Use the direct message feature to connect one-on-one, engage on the threads, and get to know our community partners – happy networking!

3:30-4:30pm

Musical Xpressions ~

If you enjoy a good tune this is the session for you. During this session, we’ll jam out, talk about and listen to some of our favorite songs, and expand our playlists together in the music room! 

4:30-5:30pm

Networking Break

Find a friend! We invite you to use this time to take advantage of our Whova app to network with fellow conference participants. Use the direct message feature to connect one-on-one, engage on the threads, and get to know our community partners – happy networking!

Diversity in Recovery Meeting
Facilitators: Benita Mayo, Charley Burton, Matthew Carter, Meredith Polson, Chris Doran

This space is open for anyone in recovery who needs an hour for their recovery. We will conduct our meeting in this space each evening 10/14 from 10/16 from 4:30 to 5:30 and 10/17 from 3:30 to 4:30. Diversity in Recovery is not affiliated with AA or NA but we are a space for LGBTQ BIPOC and allies to talk about their recovery and anything that threatens their recovery. This is an open meeting. Learn more about us: www.diversityinrecovery.org.

5:30-6:30pm

The State of Immigration Law in 2020 ~
Presenter: Miguel Rivera (he/him)

Federal immigration law is ever-changing and many trans, non-binary, and cisgender immigrants have found themselves in increasingly difficult situations as a result. This workshop will cover programs that benefit immigrants and changes in federal law that impact people’s immigration and legal status, with special attention to how trans and LGBQ immigrants are affected and can find help. There will be ample time for questions. 

Transcending Homelessness ~
Presenters: De Sube (she/her), Jay Corprew (he/him), and Sarah Hustead (they/them)

In this workshop, we will discuss the issues homeless trans adults face including discrimination in shelters and the lack of trans positive housing resources throughout Virginia. Housing is one of the most vital needs all people share. However, many transgender people face discrimination when seeking housing and employment in spite of nondiscrimination laws. 

Virginia’s New Name & Gender Marker Change Process
Presenter: Bary Hausrath (he/him)

Do you need to change your ID or birth certificate? The law has changed! Join a discussion of recent changes to Virginia law, including a new non-binary option on DMV IDs and changes to the procedures for obtaining a new Virginia birth certificate to match your gender. Also, learn about the Name and Gender Marker Change Clinic, how to register, and what to expect. There will be time for questions.

7:00-8:00pm

LGBTQ+ Trivia Night ~

How much do you know about Queer History? Test your knowledge, make some friends, and have fun with LGBTQ-themed trivia! 

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Thursday, October 15

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* We respectfully request that you only attend sessions marked with an asterisk if you identify with the community described in the title. Please read the workshop descriptions below for more information about these sessions.

~ Workshops that have a tilde after their title will have interpretation between English and Spanish thanks to Trans Terps DC. 

12:00-1:00pm

Defending Black Trans Lives in Virginia: A Keynote Panel ~
Facilitator: Aurora Higgs (she/her)
Panelists: Nathaniel Preston (he/him), Sara Simone (she/her), and Dexter Davis (he/him)

The fight for Black trans liberation is alive in Virginia! Join an impactful panel discussion with dedicated Black transgender advocates in Virginia who are making a difference and defending Black trans lives in their communities. Come hear about their experiences, learn from their perspectives, and find ways to uplift their incredible work as we explore how the fight for Black trans lives is showing up in different areas all across Virginia. There will be time for audience questions. 

1:30-2:30pm

From Authenticity to Trans Power: A Discussion with Delegate Danica Roem ~
Presenter: Delegate Danica Roem (she/her)
Facilitator: Ali Moros Taylor (they/them)

Join Delegate Danica Roem for an impactful discussion that will cover her experience, her work in and outside of the General Assembly as the first openly transgender legislator in Virginia, and her advice for future generations of trans, non-binary, and allied leaders. The discussion will be facilitated by a transgender youth, and leave you inspired, hopeful, and empowered. There will be time for audience questions.

Reunión de Hispanoparlantes/Spanish Speakers Roundtable*  ~
Facilitadora/Facilitator: Gia Martinez (she/ella)

Esta reunión de hispanoparlantes será un refugio seguro del mundo anglófono. Hablaremos de temas que afecta a nuestra comunidad, centrando a lxs hispanoparlantes monolingües. Temas incluyen: migración, activismo, arte, salud transgénero, y más.

This caucus of Spanish-speaking people is a safe haven from the English speaking world. We will talk about topics that affect our community, centering monolingual Spanish speakers. Topics include: migration, activism, art, trans health, and more.

Trans & Non-Binary Older Adults Roundtable*
Facilitator: Charley Burton (he/him)

This Roundtable discussion is for trans and non-binary people age 50 and over to build connections and share resources and experiences. What are your fears growing older as a trans or non-binary person? What are your challenges, medically and emotionally? Who do you turn to for help? This is a closed session for trans and non-binary adults age 50 and over. This roundtable is being presented by Black Transmen Inc. 

2:30-3:30pm

Networking Break

Find a friend! We invite you to use this time to take advantage of our Whova app to network with fellow conference participants. Use the direct message feature to connect one-on-one, engage on the threads, and get to know our community partners – happy networking!

3:00-7:00pm

TIES Wellness Center Hours

The Wellness Center offers free, non-diagnostic one-on-one conversations between TIES participants and trans-friendly healthcare providers in the medical and mental health fields who have training and experience providing trans-affirming care. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, identify resources, and discuss general next steps to getting your healthcare needs met. Services are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis by appointment. You can sign up for an appointment here by Tuesday, October 13: https://bit.ly/TIES2020WellnessAppointment.

3:30-4:30pm

Writing & Poetry Work Space ~

Sometimes the best way to reflect on our thoughts and feelings is – on paper. This session will guide writers of all experience levels through a mindful writing activity. Utilize this space to reflect and empower yourself through the art of writing, and then share out!

4:30-5:30pm

Networking Break

Find a friend! We invite you to use this time to take advantage of our Whova app to network with fellow conference participants. Use the direct message feature to connect one-on-one, engage on the threads, and get to know our community partners – happy networking!

Diversity in Recovery Meeting
Facilitators: Benita Mayo, Charley Burton, Matthew Carter, Meredith Polson, Chris Doran.

This space is open for anyone in recovery who needs an hour for their recovery. We will conduct our meeting in this space each evening 10/14 from 10/16 from 4:30 to 5:30 and 10/17 from 3:30 to 4:30. Diversity in Recovery is not affiliated with AA or NA but we are a space for LGBTQ BIPOC and allies to talk about their recovery and anything that threatens their recovery. This is an open meeting. Learn more about us: www.diversityinrecovery.org.

5:30-6:30pm

Non-Binary Roundtable* ~
Facilitators: Levi Walter (they/them) and Armand Carnelian Fortin (they/he)

This roundtable discussion is intended for anyone who identifies outside the gender binary of male or female to share experiences and information related to their social, legal, and/or medical transition. Participants can address challenges unique to non-binary individuals, learn from one another, and connect with a larger community. Please note this is a closed session for those who identify outside of the gender binary.

Parent & Caregiver Roundtable* ~
Facilitator: Shannon McKay (she/her)

This workshop will provide a safe space for parents and other adult family members of transgender or non-binary people to make connections, explore feelings, share experiences, and ask questions about how to support their loved one. Please note that this is a closed workshop for adult family members of transgender individuals of all ages.

Voting Rights in Virginia
Presenter: Tierra Ragland (she/her)

Virginia has a long and ugly history of voter disenfranchisement and suppression. In the past, tactics like poll taxes and literacy tests kept Black voters from casting ballots; today, we see measures like voter ID laws, voting rights stripped from returning citizens, malfunctioning and insecure voting machines, and long lines. The Virginia Civic Engagement Table works year-round to ensure Virginians have unencumbered access to the ballot and can cast their votes without confusion or intimidation. This workshop will provide voters with the information needed to ensure they have safe access to the ballot box as well as ways to protect your voting rights, especially as it relates to transgender and non-binary people’s unique concerns. There will also be time for questions.

7:00-8:00pm

Talent Show: Lights, Camera, Action!  ~

It’s your time in the spotlight! Whether your talent is speaking 7 languages, playing an instrument, or folding a fitted sheet, we want you to showcase it. Make sure to sign up by Thursday, October 15 at 5:30pm so you can strut your stuff: bit.ly/TIES2020TalentShow.

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Friday, October 16

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* We respectfully request that you only attend sessions marked with an asterisk if you identify with the community described in the title. Please read the workshop descriptions below for more information about these sessions.

~ Workshops that have a tilde after their title will have interpretation between English and Spanish thanks to Trans Terps DC. 

12:00-1:00pm

Prison Abolition, Trans Liberation, & Artistry: A Keynote Discussion with Dominique Morgan ~

Dominique Morgan will lead a keynote discussion where she shares her thoughts on the role of transgender advocacy and artistry in the service of prison abolition and liberation for transgender and gender nonconforming people, especially Black trans folks who face or have faced incarceration. Dominique Morgan will draw upon her lived experience of being impacted by mass incarceration and a decade of change-making artistry, advocacy, and background in public health in describing how she continues to work in spaces of sex education, radical self-care, and transformative youth development with intentions of dismantling the prison industrial complex and its impact on our communities. There will be time for audience questions.

1:30-2:30pm

Ask a Trans Person
Facilitator: Bianca Humady Rey (she/her)
Panelists: Jordin Cotman (she/her), Ray Eck (he/him), and Caden Haney (he/him)

Are you an ally looking to learn more about the diversity of transgender experiences? Are you also interested in finding out how to get involved in advocating for transgender rights? Many people are still learning what it means to be trans, and only one in ten know they’ve met someone who is transgender. This “Ask a Trans person” panel discussion is the perfect place for allies looking for an open and welcoming environment to deepen their understanding of the trans community. Four transgender panelists will discuss their experiences and engage with the audience in dialogue about the role they can play to help support the transgender community. This session will have ample time for audience questions.

Coping through COVID-19: Healing & Resilience in 2020 ~
Presenter: Sarah Charbonneau (she/her)

It is a year like no other, amid fears of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased visibility of racist violence, economic insecurity, and a looming election. It’s a time to lean on each other, find help when we need it, and ground ourselves in our capacity to overcome difficult situations. This workshop will be an informal, empowering space for participants to ask questions about coping during difficult times and work together to find tools for healing, resilience, and self-care. General content warning: we may be addressing difficult or painful topics during this workshop

Trans-feminine/Non-Binary Surgical Options ~
Presenter: Dr. Keelee MacPhee, M.D. (she/her)

This workshop provides an overview of surgery procedures for trans-feminine and non-binary people. This workshop is for anyone wanting to learn more about the surgical process as well as pre- and post-operative procedures. Topics covered will include vaginoplasty, facial feminization, breast augmentation, and body contouring. There will also be time for questions.

2:30-5:30pm

Networking Break

Find a friend! We invite you to use this time to take advantage of our Whova app to network with fellow conference participants. Use the direct message feature to connect one-on-one, engage on the threads, and get to know our community partners – happy networking!

3:00-5:00pm

TIES Wellness Center Hours

The Wellness Center offers free, non-diagnostic one-on-one conversations between TIES participants and trans-friendly healthcare providers in the medical and mental health fields who have training and experience providing trans-affirming care. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, identify resources, and discuss general next steps to getting your healthcare needs met. Services are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis by appointment. You can sign up for an appointment here by Tuesday, October 13: bit.ly/TIES2020WellnessAppointment.

4:30-5:30pm

Diversity in Recovery Meeting ~
Facilitators: Benita Mayo, Charley Burton, Matthew Carter, Meredith Polson, Chris Doran.

This space is open for anyone in recovery who needs an hour for their recovery. We will conduct our meeting in this space each evening 10/14 from 10/16 from 4:30 to 5:30 and 10/17 from 3:30 to 4:30. Diversity in Recovery is not affiliated with AA or NA but we are a space for LGBTQ BIPOC and allies to talk about their recovery and anything that threatens their recovery. This is an open meeting. Learn more about us: www.diversityinrecovery.org.

5:30-6:30pm

Trans-masculine/Non-Binary Surgical Options ~
Presenter: Dr. Keelee MacPhee, M.D. (she/her)

This workshop provides an overview of surgery procedures for trans-masculine and non-binary people. This workshop is for anyone wanting to learn more about the surgical process as well as pre- and post-operative procedures, including top surgery. There will also be time for questions.

Trans-feminine Roundtable* ~
Facilitators: De Sube (she/her) and Tiona Bowman (she/her)

This round-table discussion is intended for trans and gender diverse individuals who have a feminine gender identity or expression. Together, we will share experiences and information related to our social, legal, and/or medical transition. This is a space to learn from each other, address challenges unique to trans-feminine individuals, and connect with our larger community.

Medical Care for Trans and Non-Binary Youth
Presenter: Dr. Elyse Pine, M.D. (she/her) and Deborah Dunn, PAC, MBA (she/her)

This workshop will cover information about puberty blockers, feminizing hormone therapy, masculinizing hormone therapy, and individualized regimens for non-binary youth.  We will discuss recommendations for preventative care and sexual health.  We will briefly discuss surgery options and strategies for insurance coverage for minors.  Time will be available for audience Q&A.  

7:00-8:00pm

Fast Friends: Digital Speed-Friending ~

Get to know your community with some good old fashioned speed-friending! In this social, you will be randomly put in timed break-out rooms with a group of other participants and given fun prompts to help break the ice, learn some fun facts about each other, and even become fast friends.

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Saturday, October 17

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* We respectfully request that you only attend sessions marked with an asterisk if you identify with the community described in the title. Please read the workshop descriptions below for more information about these sessions.

~ Workshops that have a tilde after their title will have interpretation between English and Spanish thanks to Trans Terps DC.

12:00-1:00pm

Voices of the Next Generation: A Keynote Panel with Black Trans & Non-Binary Youth ~
Facilitator: Caden Haney (he/him)
Panelists: Black Trans Youth with Side by Side

Black trans and non-binary youth are our future! Join this powerful panel discussion with passionate Black transgender and non-binary youth from Virginia. They will come together to share common experiences as well as how they’ve been responding to the Uprisings in defense of Black life and other current events. They will also share their perspectives, hopes, and visions for a future where Black trans and non-binary youth thrive and lead the way. There will be time for audience questions. 

1:00-3:00pm

TIES Wellness Center Hours

The Wellness Center offers free, non-diagnostic one-on-one conversations between TIES participants and trans-friendly healthcare providers in the medical and mental health fields who have training and experience providing trans-affirming care. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, identify resources, and discuss general next steps to getting your healthcare needs met. Services are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis by appointment. You can sign up for an appointment here by Tuesday, October 13: bit.ly/TIES2020WellnessAppointment.

1:30-2:30pm

It Takes Time: Navigating Family Dynamics ~
Facilitators: Circe Strauss (she/her) and Shannon McKay (she/her)

Transition is a complex journey undertaken by everyone in the family, including not only the trans or non-binary person, but also parents, caregivers, and other family members. For example, what happens when a sibling is asked intrusive questions at school? When a grandparent is not on board? When an aunt or uncle says the cousins are “too young to understand”? Or, what happens when parents don’t agree with one another about how to best support their child? This session will address these questions and more about complex family dynamics. A discussion where families, allies, and trans and non-binary people are invited.  

Trans & Non-Binary Black, Indigenous, & People of Color Roundtable* ~
Facilitator: Charley Burton (he/him)

This will be an interactive discussion for all trans, gender diverse, and gender-questioning individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). Together, we will share experiences and information related to our identities as trans and non-binary people who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color. This is a space to learn from each other, address challenges unique to trans people of color, and connect with our community. 

Trans & Non-Binary Youth Roundtable* 
Facilitator: Amber Beichler (she/her)

This roundtable discussion is intended for transgender and non-binary youth to share experiences and information. Participants can address challenges unique to trans and non-binary youth, learn from one another, and connect with a larger community. Please note this is a closed session for transgender and non-binary youth between the ages of 14-18. An adult facilitator will be present.

2:30-3:30pm

Networking Break

Find a friend! We invite you to use this time to take advantage of our Whova app to network with fellow conference participants. Use the direct message feature to connect one-on-one, engage on the threads, and get to know our community partners – happy networking!

3:30-4:30pm

Meditation & Mindfulness Circle ~
Facilitator: John Taylor (he/him)

No matter where you are or what you do, it’s safe to say that we all could use a little bit of time to pause and breathe. During this session you will be able to learn about some of the benefits of mindfulness and you will have the opportunity to experience being guided through a deeply relaxing meditation practice. All experience levels are welcome!

Diversity in Recovery Meeting
Facilitators: Benita Mayo, Charley Burton, Matthew Carter, Meredith Polson, Chris Doran

This space is open for anyone in recovery who needs an hour for their recovery. We will conduct our meeting in this space each evening 10/14 from 10/16 from 4:30 to 5:30 and 10/17 from 3:30 to 4:30. Diversity in Recovery is not affiliated with AA or NA but we are a space for LGBTQ BIPOC and allies to talk about their recovery and anything that threatens their recovery. This is an open meeting. Learn more about us: www.diversityinrecovery.org.

4:30-5:30pm

Know Your Rights: Accessing Trans Health Care in 2020
Presenter: Noah Lewis (he/him)

How does the potential repeal of transgender-specific regulations under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County affect your ability to access transgender-related health care? We’ll explain the changing legal landscape and answer common questions about how to access trans-related health care under public and private health insurance—including how to know what is covered and how to challenge an exclusion. In most situations, denying trans-related health care is illegal. This webinar will help you to understand the legal landscape and how to assert your rights. Learn skills that you can share with your community and be part of advancing trans health equality. There will also be time for questions.

Schools: How to Advocate for Trans and Non-Binary Students ~
Facilitators: Shannon McKay (she/her) and DeHaven or Helen Mays (they/them)

Know your rights and learn practical ways to advocate for yourself, your child and/or your students. This workshop will be facilitated by He She Ze and We and Side by Side leaders. Together we will focus on the needs of youth in our school systems and share strategies with attendees.  Educators, counselors, administrators along with families and allies are encouraged to attend this interactive workshop.

The Work of Black Trans-Led Organizations in Virginia ~
Presenters: Zakia McKensey (she/her), Charley Burton (he/him), Tarena Williams (she/her), and JL Pressley (he/him)

Join a panel discussion featuring leaders of organizations that are led by and serve Black transgender and non-binary communities in Virginia, including Nationz Foundation, Black Transmen Inc.,  Southeastern Transgender Resource Center, and Alpha Omega Kappa Fraternity Inc. Each leader will share the work that their organization does for the community, how individuals can access their services or get connected as they’ve adapted to 2020, and how everyone can support their organization’s work.

6:00-7:00pm

Show ‘n’ Tell Showcase ~

Grab something yellow, your newest house plant and your favorite mask – or shoes – and tell us about it! We’re getting up close and semi-personal during this session, where we invite you to showcase some of your most unique and meaningful household items. 

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Presenter Bios

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Keynote Speakers

Aurora Higgs (she/her) is a Black, queer activist who uses performance as her means of storytelling. Aurora has worked in the space of social justice in Richmond for over a decade and hopes to make her community a place that fosters empowerment for those who rarely get it. Currently, Aurora is obtaining her doctorate in media studies, with a concentration on queer representation.

Caden Haney (he/him) grew up in Ruckersville, VA but now lives in Richmond where he attends Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He is active in his community and helps facilitate meetings of “Transforming, Empowered, Aspiring, Men,” also known as T.E.A.M. This social support group provides community engagement, emotional support, and social opportunities for men of trans experience throughout Virginia. He is also a passionate advocate for the transgender community, especially Black and brown young people. 

Dexter Davis (he/him) is a proud Black transgender man who is actively involved in uplifting his communities. His passion led him to become a facilitator for multiple transgender support groups including Transcending Empowered Aspiring Men (T.E.A.M), a support group at Nationz Foundation for men of trans experience, and founding The Men in Transition, a non profit social support organization dedicated to serving the unique needs of transgender men and transmasculine people within Hampton Roads, in Virginia.  He is a dedicated member of the Alpha Colony of Alpha Omega Kappa Fraternity, Inc. (AQK), which is a non-collegiate greek lettered organization for men of trans experience focused on fellowship, service, and leadership. He is also member of Equality Virginia’s Transgender Advocacy Speakers Bureau.

Dominique Morgan (she/her) is an award-winning artist, activist, and TEDx speaker. As the Executive Director of Black and Pink, the largest prison abolitionist organization in the United States. She works daily to dismantle the systems that perpetuate violence on LGBTQ/GNC people and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Partnering her lived experience of being impacted by mass incarceration (including 18 months in solitary confinement), with a decade of change-making artistry, advocacy, and background in public health, she continues to work in spaces of sex education, radical self-care, and transformative youth development with intentions of dismantling the prison industrial complex and its impact on our communities. Ms. Morgan is a 2020 Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award recipient, NAACP Freedom Fighter Award recipient, and 2020 JM Kaplan Innovation Prize recipient. She is currently completing her capstone project for studies in the Georgetown University – System Involved LGBTQ Youth Scholar Program.

E. Lee Dyer, IV (he/him) works as the Associate Director of LGBTQ Campus Life at the University of Richmond’s office of Common Ground, centering social justice, equity, and LGBTQIA inclusion. He holds Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Dillard University and Master’s in Public Administration from North Carolina Central University. Lee is responsible for LGBTQ program and policy creation and implementation at U of R, as well as creating safe spaces of community for the university’s LGBTQIA community. Outside of U of R, Lee serves as an Executive Board Member for Side by Side, a non-profit dedicated to providing safe spaces and services to LGBTQ youth of Richmond. He is a proud member of Alpha Omega Kappa Fraternity Incorporated, a fraternal organization for men of trans experience. Prior to Richmond, Mr. Dyer was the Program Coordinator for the University of Cincinnati’s LGBTQ Center. He also served as the Vice President of Community Accountability for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity (MSGD). As a native of New Orleans and son of an incarcerated parent, he works with nonprofits in New Orleans in an effort to reduce the recidivism rate of Black men in Louisiana. Mr. Dyer strives to create opportunities to enrich the lives of people with marginalized identities.

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy (she/her) is a Black, transgender activist who has spent five decades working to create a better world for her chosen family of trans and gender nonconforming people. Nicknamed the “grandmother of the trans revolution” by her trans daughter Janet Mock, Miss Major is a veteran of the infamous Stonewall Riots, a former sex worker, and a survivor of New York’s Dannemora Prison and the infamous Bellevue asylum. Miss Major’s fierce commitment and intersectional approach to justice brought her to work as a caretaker for people during the earliest years of the HIV/AIDS crisis; to go back into prisons as a mentor, to support trans and gender nonconforming people targeted by the US prison system; and most recently to form House of GG in Little Rock, Arkansas – a retreat center and leadership program for Black trans and gender nonconforming activists in the South. Other upcoming creative projects include executive producing the film Trans in Trumpland (coming to streaming platforms in fall 2020), and a collaborative book about her activism written with her assistant Toshio (out summer 2021 on Verso Books). 

Nathaniel Preston (he/him) grew up in Martinsville, Virginia but now lives in Roanoke.  He works as a case manager for a national auto supply chain to help people with leaves of absence. He is also active in his community, which includes gearing up to start an LGBT chamber of commerce for the Roanoke area with his wife and being a member of Equality Virginia’s Transgender Advocacy Speakers Bureau. He also has three children in their teenage and early adulthood years, as well as three dogs! In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, cooking, reading, and playing video games.

Sara Simone (she/her) grew up in Eastern Pennsylvania but now lives in Northern Virginia. She is a case manager working with homeless veterans of the U.S. Military. In her spare time, she enjoys poetry, writing, and hiking. She is involved with several local LGBT organizations in her area and a founding member of Equality Virginia’s Transgender Advocacy Speakers Bureau.

Presenters & Facilitators

Ali Moros Taylor (they/them) is a 19 year old transgender youth activist that has worked closely with Side by Side since they came out at 14. Ali has recently become a college student and an avid birdwatcher. They live at home with their parents, sister, and three dogs.

Amber Beichler (she/her) has been co-facilitating a teens & tweens group for almost two years as part of the Transgender Education Association (TGEA). She is also active in local politics, and is currently the chair of the Fairfax County Democrats LGBTQ+ Committee. In her free time, she is an avid Dungeons & Dragons player and enjoying time with her family, especially her young niece and nephews.

Antiona Bowman (she/her), who goes by Tiona, is the Transgender Services Coordinator and the lead CLEAR! Intervention facilitating counselor for IBWC’s (International Black Women’s Congress), E.P.I.C. Program, a local CBO located in the city of Norfolk, VA. Along with her responsibilities she also helps within various programs such as rapid HIV Testing and Prevention Counseling and Community Health Service Navigation. As a young transwoman of color transitioning in the Hampton Roads area in the turn of the century 1998/99, Tiona experienced trans life of color in the Norfolk area firsthand. Tiona used her experiences to advocate against the stigma and for the inclusion of transwomen of color to ensure equal equality within the trans community, in her belief that true equality for transwomen is the realistic understanding of the challenges faced by transwomen and the inclusion of all aspects of trans life, good or bad.

Armand Carnelian Fortin (he/they) is on the Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia’s board of directors, and they currently serve as Director of Volunteers.  In addition to their dedication to helping the transgender homeless community, Armand advocates for trans POC visibility, and they are passionate about promoting trans POC artists. In 2019, Armand joined Equality Virginia’s Transgender Speakers Bureau. Armand is a musician and bird enthusiast, and he currently resides in Norfolk, Virginia.

Bary Hausrath (he/him) is a Virginia-licensed attorney in private practice. He also volunteers as the supervising attorney for the Virginia Equality Bar Association’s Name and Gender Marker Change Clinic, which has helped hundreds of trans and gender nonconforming individuals obtain appropriate identification documents. 

Bianca Humady Rey (she/her) was born in the Philippines and now lives in Springfield, Virginia. She works as an Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Specialist and is also the chair of Capital Trans Pride. In her spare time, Bianca enjoys hiking, dancing, yoga, singing, and spending time with her family.

Bryan Price (he/him)  is an Outreach and Engagement Specialist with the University of Virginia Cancer Center and the Cancer Center without Walls, where he is responsible for initiatives related to cancer and obesity across Southside Virginia. A native of Danville, Virginia, he currently resides in South Boston, Virginia, with his husband, Craig. He is a founding member of the Danville After Hours Rotary Club and Middle Border Forward and a board member of the Dan River Region Health Collaborative, the Regional Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth Southwest Advisory Board, the Virginia Rural Health Association, Equality Virginia and the Virginia Department of Health’s Community HIV Planning Group. He is also a graduate of the 2018 Class of LEAD Virginia. 

Charley Burton (he/him) is a native of Charlottesville VA. He is currently one of the founding board members of Black Transmen Inc, board member of the following organizations. Diversity In Recovery, CVille Pride, Common Ground Healing Healing Arts, and PFLAG of the Blue Ridge. Charley transitioned later in life at the age of 50. He firmly believes in service and giving back what has been freely given to him. He just recently celebrated 14 years of living clean and sober. 

Circe Strauss (she/her) is from San Diego, California and now lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. She facilitates the CVille Trans Peer Group and is involved in her local PFLAG chapter. Additionally, she is a member of Equality Virginia’s Transgender Advocacy Speakers Bureau (TASB). In her spare time, Circe enjoys running and light-based art. She is a Unitarian Universalist, and has two daughters. 

De Sube (she/her) has been a transgender advocate and activist for 25 years. She is happily retired, which gives her ample to time to follow her passion –  the transgender community. She founded the Gender Expression Movement support group almost 16 years ago and is one of the founding members of the  Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia where she currently serves as Chairperson, Director of Client Services & Treasurer

Deborah Dunn, PAC, MBA (she/her) is a family practice physician assistant and the Trans Health Coordinator of the LGBT Resource Center for Chase Brexton Health Care. In her position at Chase Brexton, Dunn provides leadership and coordination of care for 4000 transgender-identified patients, establishes best practices for medical transgender care, trains other medical providers, provides consultation to external organizations on transgender-related issues including employee transition, engages in advocacy at the state level, and identifies research and funding opportunities related to transgender care. She has presented at numerous national conferences, engaged in strategic planning with several nonprofit organizations, and volunteered throughout the local community. 

DeHaven or Helen Mays (they/them) is an educator who has worked with LGBTQ+ youth for the last four years. They earned two master’s degrees: one in sociology and the other in education. DeHaven works at Side by Side facilitating middle school and transgender groups and is also the head of the school program. In this work, DeHaven works with schools to establish Gender Sexuality Alliances, offer training to school staff, and be an ongoing resource. DeHaven is passionate about providing visibility for LGBTQ+ youth so the youth can be their full selves in all areas of their lives. 

Delegate Danica Roem (she/her) (D-13) represents the 13th district in the Virginia House of Delegates, which includes Manassas Park and parts of Prince William County where she grew up. She has a decade of experience in journalism and covering local politics and  was formerly a vocalist for a metal band. After winning a historic election in 2017 to become the first out-and-seated transgender state legislator in American history, Del. Roem joined a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers in 2018 to expand Medicaid to 400,000 uninsured Virginians and raise teacher pay throughout the commonwealth. She also helped bring the first commuter bus line to the western part of her district and worked with the Virginia Department of Transportation to secure a Route 28 Corridor Improvement Study for her district in 2019. Now serving her second term, Del. Roem continues to prioritize fixing Route 28, expanding access to quality, affordable health insurance, increasing government accountability and making Virginia a more inclusive commonwealth.

Dr. Elyse Pine, MD (she/her) is a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist and Trans Youth Lead Physician of the Gender JOY program at Chase Brexton Health Care in Maryland, which serves over 1800 transgender and gender diverse youth ages 4-26.  Dr. Pine began working with gender variant children and adolescents while serving as an assistant professor at University of Maryland Medical Center in 2011.   She has published research and clinical articles related to transgender care and lectures frequently.

Gia Martinez (she/her) is a trans coordinator and health educator at NovaSalud, a nonprofit that provides HIV testing and prevention education programs in Northern Virginia, where she also leads the TSISTA (Transgender Sisters Informing Sisters About Topics on AIDS) program. She has extensive experience working with Latina transgender women and is highly skilled at facilitating group interventions with them. She received a community leadership award in 2014 for her advocacy for transgender Latina equality. She also serves on the Community HIV Planning Group for the Virginia Department of Health, which guides prevention and care services and is a trans navigator for PEP and PrEP.

Jay Corprew (he/him) is an active board member of the Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia (TAP VA). He works diligently within the transgender community and within the LGBTQ community of Hampton Roads as the head facilitator for The Queer and Trans People of Color group at the LGBT Life Center in Norfolk.  Jay is a fine artist, muralist, and poet who uses his art to heal, inspire, and educate. He’s also an herbalist who works from home, selling custom herbal teas. He resides in Virginia Beach with his wife who also is a poet, writer, and editor. Follow Jay on Instagram: @Masterofteas. 

JL Pressley (he/him) was born in Richmond, VA and raised in the DC/MD area. He is the proud Father of 6 grown children, one of whom is deceased. He is a Grandfather, a Great Grandfather and now a Super Proud Great-Great Grandfather. JL is a recent Honors graduate of Ashworth College – Travel Agent in which he now owns DiVyne Destinations. He is currently back at Ashworth College studying Medical Billing and Coding to further enhance his employment skills at his current job. JL was a Radio Announcer for over 20 years in the DC area and NYC. He was also on the founding Board of DC Black Gay Pride, now known as The Black Pride Federation. JL is one of the Founding Line members of Alpha Omega Kappa Fraternity, Inc pledging in the Winter of 2012. He has served as the National Executive Director and is now the current standing Supreme President. With Alpha Omega Kappa Fraternity, Inc he has volunteered with Habitat Homes for Humanity, ALS Walks, has spoken to students at VCU thanks to Dr. Lisa Griffin and volunteers faithfully with the JPJumpers for Autism with the Spring walks and the Christmas pageant/gifts giveaway. He also helped coordinate “Feed the City” along with the VA members of Tau Kappa Phi, Inc. JL is currently a Deacon serving in his church. His passion is serving in outreach to those that have no address. Through this outreach, he passes out “Bags of Blessings” He is not afraid to reach out to all people. And lastly, JL loves to sing, loves adopting other people’s family members as his own and having fun. Mantra – “My the work I have done, speak for me. I came into this world laughing, I want to leave the same way, laughing and making someone else laugh.”

John Taylor (he/him)  is an active member of the Greater Richmond community where the primary focus of his work has been on racial equity and reconciliation initiatives, as well as facilitated community dialogues and board service.  He is currently serving on the board of the Richmond Peace Education Center, Project Yoga Richmond; and, he is currently on the faculty and board for The Innerwork Center where he teaches and facilitates Mindfulness programs. John has also been a food security activist who initiated urban farming programs in Newark, New Jersey. Currently, John serves as the Associate Director of Side by Side, an organization that provides supportive communities for Virginia’s LGBTQ+ youth as well as training, education, and awareness programs for adults. John is a graduate of the College of Wooster and lives in North Chesterfield, VA with his partner, three children, and three small, but mighty, dogs.

Jordin Cotman (she/her) grew up in Charles City, Virginia and now lives in Richmond. She is a mental health counselor, a life coach, and a podcaster. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing my the water, traveling to different cities and countries, listening to podcasts and vlogs, and listening to music, especially Lil’Kim and Beyoncé. 

Dr. Keelee MacPhee, M.D. (she/her) is a highly skilled transgender surgeon and cosmetic plastic surgeon who has been in practice for over a decade. With a focus on breast surgery, genital reconstruction, cosmetic enhancements and general cosmetic surgery, she is passionate about helping her patients become more confident and comfortable with their bodies. Her goal always is to provide clinical excellence, while achieving beautiful, natural results. She performs surgery primarily at Duke Regional Hospital, part of the Duke University Health System. She did her medical studies at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and her residency in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Surgery of the Hand at UNC. She also did a residency in the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of General Surgery at the University of Florida. In 2005, Dr. MacPhee returned to North Carolina to open her own practice. She is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 

Kelly Royster (he/him) is a Network & Cyber Operations professional, social justice advocate, educator, and community organizer from Halifax, Virginia. He is a philanthropist and the founder of “Transforming, Empowered, Aspiring, Men,” also known as T.E.A.M. The social support group, T.E.A.M, provides community engagement, emotional support, and social opportunities for men of trans experience throughout Virginia.  Kelly is also a dedicated volunteer and group leader at, Nationz Foundation, the city’s leading non-profit addressing adversities of transgender people of color in Richmond; and has often facilitated for Kaleidoscope, a trans student support group featured at University of Richmond. In his professional life, Kelly is part of the Capital One corporate team, where he enjoys mentoring through the Coders program and doing his part to ensure production operations run smoothly and efficiently. He has  been featured on numerous community panel discussions on equality throughout Richmond and served as a public relations officer for Toastmasters. Kelly enjoys spending time with family, working out, doing his part to build a more inclusive world, and investigating cyber breaches and cloud architectures.

Levi Walter (they/them) is the administrator for VCU’s Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies and a member of Side by Side’s Youth Programs and Services committee. They formerly co-facilitated a non-binary and gender questioning support group housed at Nationz Foundation with their partner, Justina Hall. Levi is interested in baking, playing phone games, and discussing gender [performance] from the Black perspective.

Miguel Rivera (he/him) is a practicing attorney who received his Juris Doctorate degree from the James E. Beasley School of Law at Temple University in 1996. He appears regularly before the United States Department of Homeland Security, the United States Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and various federal appellate courts in order to assist immigrants in securing their legal rights. In 2002, Attorney Rivera founded The Law Offices of Miguel Rivera, PLLC, where he represents investors, business owners, families, heterosexual couples, and members of the LGBTQ community who desire to live and work in the United States. 

Nicole Tortoriello (she/her)  joined the ACLU of Virginia as the Secular Society Women’s Rights Advocacy Counsel in 2018. She focuses on advancing gender equity throughout the Commonwealth through litigation and advocacy.

Noah E. Lewis, Esq. (he/him) is director of the Trans Health Project at Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund where his work focuses on eliminating barriers to insurance coverage for trans-related health care. Previously Noah served for five years as TLDEF’s Staff Attorney and worked for three years as the executive director of Transcend Legal, an organization he founded to focus on challenging trans health exclusions. In 2005, Noah was the first openly transgender student to graduate from Harvard Law School, where he worked to eliminate trans health exclusions in student and staff health plans.

Raymond Eck (he/him) is originally from Newport, Rhode Island but has lived most of his life in Manassas, Virginia. He is a local small business owner and graduated in 2019 from George Mason University with a Masters in Education with a focus in Counseling and Development.  In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games and board games and is proud to be the owner of three dogs. 

Sarah Charbonneau (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice at Pride Inside in Carytown and Discovery Counseling and Consulting in the west end of Richmond, Virginia with over 15 years of clinical experience in the field of adult mental health, sexuality, gender and sexual identity issues. Sarah is a WPATH GEI Certified Gender Specialist with over 9 years of clinical experience providing transgender and gender expansive individuals a safe and supportive space to explore, honor, and pursue their personal truth and identity. Sarah also provides clinical consultation and provider workshops on issues relevant to working with LGBTQ+, transgender and gender expansive individuals in an effort to increase awareness, enhance clinical knowledge, and improve access to inclusive, affirmative care in Virginia. Sarah is a certified member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the Transgender Healthcare Alliance of Central Virginia, and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom.

Sarah Hustead (they/them) is a community activist and non-profit professional who has been on the Board of Directors of the Transgender Assistance Program of VA since July 2018. They currently serve as Director of Development and work on grants, fundraisers, and community partnerships. Sarah holds a B.S. in Political Science from Old Dominion University and is passionate about LGBTQIA+ equality, youth development, and harm reduction. In addition to their work at TAP VA, Sarah works for a local youth non-profit in Hampton Roads doing community engagement & volunteer management work.

Shannon McKay (she/her) is President and co-founder of He She Ze and We, a support organization serving families with transgender and nonbinary loved ones of all ages since 2012.  Shannon is an ally, advocate, parent, educator, and speaker with a decade of experience working directly with families throughout Virginia.  Shannon was recognized by Equality Virginia as a 2016 Outstanding Virginian and Side by Side named He She Ze and We a 2019 Catalyst Award Winner.  For more information about HSZW, check out their website:  heshezewe.org and if you are interested in support and resources email: [email protected]

Tarena D. Williams (she/her), 35, is a trans woman of color from Norfolk, Virginia. She has overcome a lot of obstacles in the past few years including almost losing her life due to an act of violence. She is now an advocate for the transgender community speaking out for those of us who do not have a voice. Tarena felt there was a need for a transgender resource center in the state of Virginia which she established in July 2018.

Ted Heck (any pronouns) has a B.A. in Psychology from The American University and an M.S. in Criminal Justice from California State University at Sacramento, where he wrote his thesis on prevention services and services for victims of hate crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.  He works at the Virginia Department of Health in the Division of Disease Prevention, for which he serves as the Transgender Health Services Coordinator.   He has been facilitating groups of one kind or another since the mid ‘80s, and often facilitates the Richmond Transformers FTM support group as a peer member.  Ted is a member of Richmond Friends Meeting where he is active with local and regional Quaker organizations, and he lives with his partner and two cats in the Blackwell neighborhood of Richmond.

Tierra Ragland (she/her) serves as the Deputy Director of the Virginia Civic Engagement Table (VCET). She manages the programmatic work of VCET and leads their leadership development program: the Virginia Progressive Leadership Project. 

Zakia (Jemaceye’) McKensey (she/her) is a native of Richmond, VA who has worked tirelessly to advocate for the transgender community and those affected or effected by HIV/AIDS. Zakia started her career in HIV prevention in 2001 with Fan Free Clinic, now Health Brigade, where she was the MSM coordinator and helped pioneer their transgender clinic. She later served as the first transgender woman of color to work for the Richmond City health District, and as the Transgender Community Advocate at the Virginia Anti-Violence Project. Zakia is the Executive Director and Founder of Nationz Foundation. Nationz Foundation is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization founded in October of 2015. Nationz provides free HIV testing at their office and via 2 mobile units. They also offer linkage to care services and a food pantry to assist those clients in need or who are experiencing hardships in life, including emergency housing assistance as well as transportation for support services. She is also the C.E.O. of Nationz Pageantry System, a pageantry system for male entertainers and female impersonators to showcase their talents as well as erase stigma related to HIV and promote healthier lifestyle changes through entertainment and fashion. 

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TIES Resources

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TIES 2020 Wellness Center 

Thursday, October 15, 3:00-7:00pm
Friday, October 16, 3:00-5:00pm
Saturday, October 17, 1:00-3:00pm

The Wellness Center offers free, virtual, non-diagnostic, one-on-one conversations between TIES participants and trans-friendly healthcare providers in the medical and mental health fields who have training and experience providing trans-affirming care. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, identify resources, and discuss general next steps to getting your healthcare needs met. Services are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis by appointment. You can sign up for an appointment here by Tuesday, October 13: bit.ly/TIES2020WellnessAppointment.

TIES 2020 Legal Clinic

The Legal Clinic consists of trained attorneys meeting one-on-one with TIES participants by appointment to provide free assistance with the name and gender marker change process, including: obtaining court orders, updating driver’s licenses, passports, birth certificates, and other identity documents and public records. Registration for appointments will be live soon and can be made up until Saturday, October 17 when the conference ends. Appointments with an attorney will occur virtually in the weeks following TIES. Thanks to the Virginia Equality Bar Association (VEBA), University of Richmond School of Law, BaryLaw, and the Law Offices of Calderón Seguin for their assistance. Click here to make an appointment today in English or click here to make an appointment in Spanish. 

Side by Side Youth Support Groups

Please note that these meetings are not officially part of the TIES conference, but it is important that trans and non-binary youth in Virginia to know about spaces and resources for them. Please note that registration is required for these meetings (click on the links below) and parent permission is needed for youth under 14.

LGBTQ+ Youth 11-14 (Middle School): Wednesday 6:00-7:30pm

Transgender Youth 14-20: Thursday 6:30-8:30pm

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Sponsors

Thank you so much to our sponsors who make TIES possible!

Presenting Sponsor

Collaborative Sponsors

Looking Ahead to the 2020 General Election!

The 2020 General Election is fast approaching and Equality Virginia is committed to making sure that you have allof the information you need to register and vote on or before November 3rd!

According to the Williams Institute, nearly nine million LGBTQ adults across the country are registered and eligible to vote in the 2020 general election. About 260,000 LGBTQ adults live in Virginia, and every single vote matters.

Elections are high stakes, and voting is one of the most important ways that we can shape the future of LGBTQ equality in Virginia and in our nation. While Virginia has recently made great strides towards protecting LGBTQ people from discrimination, the federal administration has rescinded key protections for transgender students, banned transgender troops from serving openly in the military, and repeatedly pushed policies that open the door to discrimination against LGBTQ people in healthcare, housing, and public accommodations. Our elected officials are in a position to improve – or harm – the lives of LGBTQ people. That’s why, when it comes to advancing equality, who we elect matters. Your voice will impact this election.

We know that the election process in any year can be confusing, but this year will be especially unique for every voter. Due to COVID-19, you should start thinking about how you plan to vote this year. There are several options to choose from, which will help keep people healthy, while still giving you access to the polls. This year, you will need to make a plan to either: 1) vote by mail, 2) vote early in-person, or 3) vote in-person on Election Day.

So, are you ready to vote? To help you prepare and make a voting plan, we’ve compiled all of the resources you need to be an informed voter:

	Register to VoteRegistering to vote is the first step in preparing for the General Election on November 3rd and this year, it is especially important for Virginians to register to vote early.Be sure to register to vote by the October 13th deadline or check your voting status.
	Request to Vote by MailVirginians can opt to vote by mail, and no reason is necessary. Request to vote absentee before October 23rd, and as long as your ballot is postmarked by Election Day, your vote will be counted.You can request your ballot online or fill out and submit this form to your local voter registration office by October 23rd.
	Early Voting Starting September 18th, any registered Virginia voter can show up to their local voter registration office or satellite voting center to vote early in-person. The last day for early in-person voting is October 31st.When voting early, be sure to take your ID or other acceptable document to verify your identity.
	Find Your Polling Place If you plan to vote on Election Day, polls will be open to any registered Virginia voter from 6AM to 7PM and, as long as you’re in line by 7PM, you will be able to cast your ballot. Locate your polling place well-ahead of November 3rd to help ensure a smooth voting process on Election Day.
	What’s on Your Ballot?Knowing what will be on your ballot will help you become a prepared and informed voter for the general election. Be sure to take some time to research the candidates and initiative’s that’ll be on your ballot this election.

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 Voting While Trans

For transgender and non-binary individuals, we recognize that Virginia’s historically strict voter ID laws may have impeded your ability to cast your ballot in-person. However, having an ID that doesn’t match your gender identity or presentation should not affect your right to vote. Voting is a critical component of our democracy and every American, regardless of their gender identity or gender expression, has the right to participate in our election process.

During the 2020 General Assembly session, Virginia became one of 14 states to repeal their strict voter ID law. Now, Virginians do not have to present a photo ID in order to vote. For transgender and non-binary individuals, this means that you can present any acceptable document to prove your identity if you’re opting to vote in-person.

For more information on voting as a transgender or non-binary person, visit TransForm the Vote for handy resources in English and en español.

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 KEY DATES

Mark your calendar and save these key dates for the 2020 General Election!

Virginia TIES 2020
 Wednesday, October 14 – Saturday, October 17

All-Digital Conference | 12:00 – 8:00 PM every day

Check out the full program	Leer esta página en español	Donate to keep TIES free!
	See our TIES recap

Haga clic aquí para leer esta página en español.

For the past six years, transgender and non-binary Virginians have come together in Richmond with friends, family members, and allies for the Transgender Information & Empowerment Summit (TIES). This year, the 7^th Annual TIES is going digital to protect the health and safety of everyone who loves TIES. We are excited for the new possibilities and greater access this format presents, including the first time TIES has occurred over the course of multiple days! This year, the conference takes place from Wednesday, October 14 through Saturday, October 17 from 12:00-8:00pm every day.  We can’t wait for you to join us to be a part of this year’s re-imagined TIES. Register today for free!

La página de registro en español para la séptima Conferencia Anual de Información y Empoderamiento Transgénero (TIES por sus siglas en inglés). To register with the Spanish language form, click here.

During one of the most transformative years of our lifetime, highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide uprisings for Black lives, we believe the power of community has never been more clear. TIES offers an opportunity to foster that community by learning from and with each other in a safe and welcoming space. TIES is a free conference that exists to connect and empower transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming Virginians of all ages as well as family members, partners, and allies to strengthen the trans community across Virginia! Make sure to check out the full program and start planning your days at the conference.

Get our official conference app:

iOSAndroidFor feature details, visit Whova

TIES has a lot to offer

No matter what you’re looking for, there is something at TIES for you:

• Social events and networking opportunities to connect one-on-one or all together with conference attendees.
• Dozens of diverse workshops that cover a range of topics from health insurance to racial justice to voting rights, and so much more.  Click here to read the full descriptions.
• Four powerful keynotes from Black trans community leaders and advocates, including Miss Major Griffin-Gracy! Click here to read the full descriptions.
• Legal clinic providing free assistance with the name and gender marker change process. Sign up  coming soon!
• Wellness center where you can talk for free with a trans-affirming mental health or medical provider to ask questions and find resources. You can sign up for an appointment here by Tuesday, October 13: bit.ly/TIES2020WellnessAppointment.
• Programming for trans and gender expansive youth as well as family members and allies.
• Interpretation in Spanish available for selected workshops, and American Sign Language available upon request. All TIES sessions will have closed captioning.

Learn more about TIES

Watch these videos to see why trans, non-binary, and allied Virginians attended TIES in 2017 and TIES in 2018, and check out photos from previous TIES conferences!

Hear from community members what they liked about TIES 2019:

“Everything, it feels like a family reunion!”

“I am constantly amazed at the organization, quality of presenters, the level of the info and the deep sense of community fostered at each TIES event.”

“As an ally with a transgender family member, one of the things I really like about VA TIES is the positive atmosphere throughout the day. I know that some of the sessions discussed difficult and sensitive topics, but there seemed to be an overall sense of joy and freedom among many attendees.”

“It’s the only event all-year that I feel like I can be totally myself and around all queer folx, at such a scale.”

“Very empowering, great sense of community.”

Racial Justice Commitment

Racial justice is a core value of TIES. Last year’s conference featured a keynote panel discussion on trans advocacy in communities of color, affinity spaces for people of color, workshops on racial justice, and more presenters of color than ever before. While these are important steps, we also know there’s more we need to do to fully serve and center Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

This year, we are committed to ensuring that TIES 2020 is a space where Black, Indigenous, and people of color can thrive, connect, and leave empowered. We honor and acknowledge the countless ways that Black trans communities have built the movements that made TIES possible. We know that the needs and interests of Black, Indigenous, and people of color must be prioritized in order to ensure our whole community thrives.

Inclusion Advisory Committee

In order to build upon TIES’s racial justice commitment, we are launching the Inclusion Advisory Committee. It will meet several times before the conference for Black, Indigenous, and people of color, as well as Spanish speakers of all backgrounds, to share their vision for a more inclusive and diverse TIES. The committee is open to family members, partners, and cisgender allies in addition to transgender, non-binary,  and gender nonconforming people. Participants will receive a stipend for each meeting they attend, and they do not need to attend every meeting. The deadline to express interested in participating in the committee, was Thursday, August 27. Thank you!

Thank you to the sponsors, partners, and community voices of TIES 2020!

Thank you to the organizations sponsoring and supporting the Transgender Information and Empowerment Summit. Their support is essential in making TIES possible and leads directly to the success of the event.

Presenting Sponsor

Collaborative Sponsors

Legal Clinic Partners

Trans-friendly attorneys and law students provide TIES attendees with free legal assistance on the name and gender marker change process. Thanks to the Virginia Equality Bar Association (VEBA), University of Richmond School of Law, BaryLaw, and the Law Offices of Calderón Seguin for their assistance. Click here to make an appointment today in English or click here to make an appointment in Spanish. Appointments will take place virtually in the week or two after TIES.

Community Voices

One of the major goals of this conference is to create opportunities for connection. Your organization’s participation helps to build a vibrant and diverse space where individuals can learn, grow, and get connected to important resources. As a Community Voice, we ask that your organization help to spread the word about the conference. To show our appreciation, your organization’s logo (with a link to your website) will be posted on the Virginia TIES web page and you’ll receive recognition during the conference!  Click here to complete the form.

Community Faith Voices

As a Community Faith Voice, you help participants get connected to important resources at the intersection of transgender identity, faith, and allyship. As a Community Faith Voice, we ask that you help to spread the word about the conference. To show our appreciation, your organization’s logo (with a link to your website) will be posted on the Virginia TIES web page and you’ll receive recognition during the conference! Click here to complete the form.

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Youth Corner at TIES

Side by Side is a Richmond-based non-profit organization dedicated to creating supportive communities where Virginia’s LGBTQ+ youth can define themselves, belong, and flourish. At TIES 2018, Side by Side will host a Youth Corner for young people ages 11-25. This space will have games, coloring, and other engaging activities. It’s a space for youth to hang out in between sessions, meet other youth, and connect with resources.

All transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth and their siblings are welcome to come by the TIES Youth Corner for any part or all of the day (9am-5pm).

Side by Side will have staff and volunteers in the Youth Corner all day and a pizza lunch will be provided.

Presented by:

Have a cup of Equali-Tea with us!

Join us for our summer community engagement series, “Legislative Equali-TEA!” In this three-part series, we will ask you to: Take a quick, 3-minute community survey, Engage in a virtual town hall, and Advance LGBTQ rights by helping us create a 2021 action plan. We hope that you’ll participate in this series so that you can share with us your experiences as an LGBTQ Virginian or ally, and make sure we’re advocating for the issues that matter the most to you.

T – Take the Community Survey

August 5th through August 19th
We hope that you’ll participate in this series so that you can share with us your experiences as an LGBTQ Virginian or ally, and make sure we’re advocating for the issues that matter the most to you. This survey will only take three minutes and your responses will be anonymous. We especially encourage LGBTQ Black, Indigenous, and people of color to complete the survey. Encourage your friends to take the survey, too.

So, go ahead and take your first sip of TEA with us and complete our community survey by Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Click here to get started: https://bit.ly/EV2020Survey

E – Engage in the Virtual Town Hall

Wednesday, August 26th at 6:00PM
We’ve come such a long way this past year, but there’s a lot more to be done until there’s full equality for all LGBTQ Virginians. Join us for the “E” in TEA and engage in our virtual town hall where we’ll share the results from the community survey and discuss the experiences LGBTQ Virginians are currently facing. Plus, we’ll talk about the issues you’d like to see addressed legislatively in 2021.

Since we’re not able to connect in-person, this virtual town hall will be a fun way to reconnect with some familiar faces, while reflecting on the results of the community survey. For your security, registration is free, but required. Click here to register: https://bit.ly/EVTownHall

A – Advance LGBTQ Rights 2021 Action Plan

Wednesday, September 2nd at 6:00PM
In order to successfully advance LGBTQ rights at the General Assembly next year, we need to create an action plan. That is where you come in! We will share a last sip of TEA together on September 2nd.  What LGBTQ issues are you most passionate about? How do you want to get involved? Join us for this interactive session where we’ll break out into groups to discuss specific topics to tackle legislatively.

Together, we’ll create an action plan and lay the ground work for another year of success at the General Assembly! For your security, registration is free, but required. Click here to register: https://bit.ly/EV2021ActionPlan

Legislative Lunch & Learn Series

It’s been an incredible and historic year for LGBTQ+ equality in Virginia. Over a dozen pro-equality bills passed this year, and we want Virginians to learn more about the legislation that will soon affect our communities. This is also an opportunity for us to come together virtually as a community to celebrate these crucial victories, champion our lawmakers, and spotlight the many advocates who helped us get to this moment!

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for our Legislative Lunch & Learn series!  We are eager to hear your feedback about the series, especially as we continue to plan for more digital events in the future amid the pandemic to serve Virginia’s LGBTQ+ and allied communities.  Please take 3 minutes to complete this evaluation form by Friday, June 12. Thank you for taking the time to join our Legislative Lunch & Learn series and filling out the evaluation! Make sure to mark your calendars and join us on Wednesday, June 17 at noon for a deep dive into what the Virginia Values Act is all about. See you then!

Equality Virginia hosted a digital Legislative Lunch & Learn series throughout April and May. Each session was facilitated in a panel format and featured the state lawmakers who sponsored pro-equality legislation, community advocates and organizations who partnered with us to support these bills, as well as other key leaders and content experts. Together, we discussed how these pro-equality bills came about, what they do, how we won, and what comes next! There is of time for Q&A. Read below to learn more about the scheduled sessions and click the links to register. Registration is free and required to participate. 

Building Safer Communities: Tuesday, April 7th from 12:00-1:00pm

In Equality Virginia’s 2019 climate survey, hate crimes was listed as one of the top concerns among LGBTQ Virginians, with nearly 1 in 4 respondents reporting discrimination relating to their personal safety, like street harassment and interpersonal violence. Because of the nationwide increase of anti-LGBT hate crimes, it is important that survivors and advocates have more tools in the form of legal protections. Now that the Governor has signed this legislation into law, Virginia is the 21st state to add LGBTQ hate crimes protections. Join us to learn more about these important updates. Speakers will include Delegate Ken Plum, Delegate Rip Sullivan, Attorney General Mark Herring, Ebony Kirkland with the Virginia Anti-Violence Project, and Jonathan Yglesias with the Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance. Registration is free and required: bit.ly/safecommunitieszoom

Conversion Therapy Ban: Tuesday, April 14th from 12:00-1:00pm

For over five years, community organizations, conversion therapy survivors, state health boards, and elected officials have worked hard to end the discredited and harmful practice of conversion therapy on minors by licensed professionals in Virginia. Now that the Governor has signed this ban into law, Virginia is now the 20th state in the country and the first state in the South to prohibit this practice on LGBTQ youth. Come learn about the efforts that laid the groundwork for success and why this legislation is so important. Speakers will include Senator Scott Surovell, Delegate Patrick Hope, Casey Pick from The Trevor Project, Adam Trimmer from Born Perfect, and Scott Price with the Alliance for a Progressive Virginia. Registration is free and required: bit.ly/conversiontherapybanzoom

Identity Documents for the Transgender Community: Tuesday, April 28th from 12:00-1:00pm

Transgender and non-binary Virginians have long struggled to obtain accurate state identity documents because of unnecessary burdens and hurdles. Having an inaccurate ID can have big impacts when voting, applying for jobs, buying groceries, traveling, accessing benefits, and so much more. With the passage of recent legislation, Virginia is now the 23rd state to modernize the process for updating a name and gender marker on a birth certificate, and will be the 17th state to offer a third gender marker option on state IDs and driver’s licenses. Speakers will include Senator Scott Surovell, Senator Jennifer Boysko, Delegate Marcus Simon, community advocate Julie Williams, and Harper Jean Tobin from the National Center for Transgender Equality. Registration is free and required: bit.ly/identitydocszoom

Safe Schools: Tuesday, May 5th from 12:00-1:00pm

Transgender youth face unique obstacles to accessing an equal education in our commonwealth’s public schools, from being called the wrong name in class to having their restroom access restricted. After years of grassroots advocacy in school districts by community organizations and local families, Virginia will be the 17th state to have uniform guidelines for how public schools should treat transgender students to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to learn and graduate. Join us to discuss what guidelines we can expect and how we got here! Speakers include Senator Jennifer Boysko, Delegate Marcus Simon, Ted Lewis with Side by Side, Nicolle Campa with Metro DC PFLAG, Shannon McKay with He She Ze and We, and Claire Gastañaga with the ACLU of Virginia. Registration is free and required: bit.ly/safeschoolszoom

Trans-Inclusive Health Insurance: Tuesday, May 12th from 12:00-1:00pm

Since 2016, the federal government has acknowledged that the Affordable Care Act’s non-discrimination protections in health insurance coverage include gender identity and sexual orientation. This is critically important due to the nearly in 1 in 4 transgender Americans who have faced discrimination in health care. However, as these federal regulations face the threat of getting rolled back, Virginia moved proactively to become the 19th state to enshrine these existing protections into state law to ensure all residents can access the care they need. Join us to hear about how this bill came about and what it means for the community. Speakers include Delegate Danica Roem, Katie Keith who is a Steering Committee Member of OUT2Enroll, Brandon Robinson with the Virginia Association of Health Plans, and Afton Bradley and Melissa-Irene Jackson from the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood. Registration is free and required: bit.ly/transhealthzoom

Non-discrimination Protections: Tuesday, May 19th from 12:00-1:00pm

One of the top concerns for LGBTQ Virginians is the threat of discrimination in workplaces, housing situations, and public spaces. After decades of advocacy, the General Assembly made history by passing the Virginia Values Act, which will make Virginia the first state in the South and the 21st state in the country to have LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections in employment, housing, and public spaces. The passage of this truly historic piece of legislation means that civil rights protections will be in place not just for LGBTQ people, but also women, people of color, people with disabilities, and veterans. In addition to the Virginia Values Act, lawmakers also passed a comprehensive update to the Code of Virginia that adds sexual orientation and gender identity to dozens of areas in the code related to nondiscrimination, which further codifies protections for the LGBTQ community. Come learn more about the incredible journey to get here and what these lifesaving protections mean for all Virginians. Speakers include Senator Adam Ebbin, Delegate Mark Sickles, Delegate Mark Levine, and staff from Equality Virginia and the Virginia Values Coalition. Registration is free and required: bit.ly/nondiscriminationzoom.

Thank you to our sponsors!

This program is made possible by the generous support of our corporate partners who are listed below. 

Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Signature Sponsors

We’re setting our sights on winning LGBT nondiscrimination protections in 2020, to ensure that LGBT Virginians can live their lives free from discrimination in employment, housing, and public spaces.

With your help, we can get this done.

It’s important for our legislators to see that support for LGBT freedom comes from people from all walks of life and from all corners of this state, and that the LGBT community is as broad and diverse as any other community. For that reason, each of the Crowd the Capitol days will have a different theme:

January 14 :	Trans community members
January 21 :	People of faith
February 4 :	Equality Virginia’s Day of Action
February 11 :	Business leaders & owners
February 18 :	Families & LGBT youth
February 25 :	Public safety & anti-violence advocates

Sign up for a Crowd the Capitol event here!

It’s time for our legislators to pass statewide legislation that protects LGBT Virginians from discrimination in our daily lives.

Schedule:
8:30 – Registration, Coffee, & Networking
8:45 – Participants group together by legislator for introductions
8:50 – Advocacy training + Q&A
9:15 – Leave for General Assembly Building
9:30 – 10:30 – Meet with legislators

Location:
This event will start off at a hotel – The Commonwealth – just steps away from the General Assembly building!  The address for The Commonwealth is 901 Bank St, Richmond, VA 23219.

Parking:
On-street parking is available near The Commonwealth, but is limited. Click here for a list of parking deck locations in Downtown Richmond

Entrance:
To enter The Commonwealth, head to the Bank Street entrance and someone will be stationed just inside with an Equality Virginia sticker to direct you down the stairs to the lower lobby where the registration table will be set up. Elevators to the lower floor are available via this entrance. 

Check out our Facebook event page to connect with other people coming from your area or around the state. This is a unique opportunity to connect with not just your legislators, but also fellow community members who care about LGBT equality

Check out some advocacy highlights from previous years:

Let’s make 2020 our year!

Please note that photography may be taken at these events and used on Equality Virginia’s social media. Members of the press may also be in attendance.

TIES 2019 Logistics Information

Attendance:

Virginia TIES (Transgender Information and Empowerment Summit) is an inclusive, accessible, and safe space for everyone. Workshops will be available for members of the trans community, significant others, family members of gender expansive youth, and allies. Everyone is welcome at TIES as long as you positively contribute by treating others with dignity and respect, as well as follow the guidelines in place to keep this a safe environment for trans and gender nonconforming people and their allies.

Location:

TIES will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at a NEW location this year: the University of Richmond. Please use this address to get to the parking lot beside the Robins School of Business: 102 UR Drive, Richmond, VA 23173. We recommend approaching the campus via Three Chopt Road.

Parking:

Please park in either of the two lots marked: U-6 (E Permit) or U-8 (E Permit). There will be plenty of volunteers and signs that will direct you to the correct parking lots. There will be signs and volunteers to direct you to the conference buildings. Click here to see a parking map.

If those two lots are full, volunteers and signs can direct you to the overflow lot beside the Modlin Center for the Arts. Shuttles will then be able to transport you to the Robins School of Business.

Schedule:

The schedule for the day is available for you, which also includes descriptions of the workshops and the plenary panel.

Registration:

General Registration begins at 8:45am and will take place on the first floor of the Robins School of Business inside of the rotunda. There, you’ll be able to pick up a copy of the TIES program and make your own name tag. Volunteers will be stationed around the campus to help guide and assist you. Please allow yourself plenty of time to get settled in – the first workshops of the day begin promptly at 9:45am.

Resources:

TIES offers many free resources for you, including legal assistance with the name and gender marker process (schedule ahead of time here or day-of), appointments with trans-friendly mental health and medical providers (schedule ahead of time here or day-of), rapid HIV testing, a clothes closet, and a  binder consultation station. There are also community spaces including outdoor activities, tables for community organizations, a conference-wide art project, and a people of color (POC) lounge located in Room 107 of the Law School.

Youth Corner:

All transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse youth and their siblings, who are middle school-aged and up, are welcome to come by the TIES Youth Corner for any part or all of the day. Side by Side will have staff and volunteers in the Youth Corner all day and lunch will be provided. This is a space for youth to meet other youth and connect with resources in a fun space with plenty of activities.

TransACTION: Advocacy & Ally Boot Camp

For the first time ever, TIES will host a unique two-hour session to prepare you with the tools you need to advocate for transgender equality at home. If you’ve been looking for a way to get more involved and advocate for the trans community – this is it!

Lunch:

You can purchase lunch for $10.50 at the Heilman Dining Center which offers a lunch buffet with options for all dietary needs. You can check out the menu here. The dining center is a 5-minute walk from the Robins School of Business, and there will also be shuttles leaving from the Robins School of Business that can take you to the dining center and back.

Physical Accessibility:

The map passed out at TIES will mark the outdoor paths that are accessible to people using wheelchairs in bold. There are signs throughout the conference grounds marking accessible entrances and paths. The map will also mark elevator locations. Due to the location of elevators in the Law School, please allow extra time to get to your destination. Shuttles to the overflow parking lot and Heilman Dining Center are wheelchair-accessible. A closer dining option is the Passport Café on the first floor of the Carole Weinstein Center.

Post-TIES Social Event:

Keep TIES going at “The Cellar”, located on the bottom floor of the Tyler Haynes Commons, from 5:30-7:00pm. Free heavy hors d’oeuvres will be available as well as free drink tickets for those who are 21 years of age and older with an ID. All ages are welcome to the reception! You can also purchase a TIES t-shirt, which is only for sale during the social event.