Updated October 18, 2006

Saturday 10:00 - 11:00am

Workplace Diversity – Challenges Yet To Be Addressed

Many workplaces are adding Gender Identity and Expression to their Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-discrimination statements. So, what does it really mean to support Gender Identity and Expression in the workplace? And how do businesses address the needs of Transgender people that are just starting their transgender journey? This workshop will touch on many of the challenges transgender people face as they explore their transition needs as well as the needs of their families and employers. We’ll explore the types of support programs corporations are putting in place as well as identify areas where they need to improve.

Supporting Gender Variant Youth in Today’s Schools

Is this child a boy or a girl or does it matter? Youth in today’s schools are increasingly fluid in their expression of gender, sometimes confusing adults and challenging those around them to think again about boy vs. girl. The workshop is designed to uncover the overlapping aspects of sexuality and clarify terminology related to gender expression and identity. Participants will also be provided with resources for transgender youth, transgender civil rights issues, recent school assessments, and available curriculum supplements for classroom use. A resource list will be provided for further study. Time will be allotted for questions and networking.

Exploring Trans Sexuality: How Transition Affects Sexual Identity for Trans People and Their Partners

Limited to participants who are 18 and older.
How does your trans body affect your sexual relationships? Has transition affected your sexual orientation? What about your attractions and desires? And what if you're not planning on changing your equipment? These are some of the questions that we will discuss in this workshop designed to explore the effects of gender transition on body image, sexual identity, and sexual expression. In order to learn from one another in a safe space, this workshop is open only to trans-identified people and their romantic and sexual partners. Participants must agree to complete confidentiality.

Bisexuality 101: Myths and Realities

What is bisexuality? Is there no such thing as bisexuality or is everyone really bisexual? Or is it more complicated than that? In this workshop we will examine these questions as well as biphobia in lesbian, gay and heterosexual communities with the goal of better understanding bisexuality and bisexual identities. People of all sexual orientations are welcome to attend.

“T” & “I” Aren’t Just Tack-ons: Being a True Ally to Trans and Intersex People

Despite the fact that more and more people are openly identifying as trans or intersex, these communities continue to simply be tacked on to pre-existing initiatives for gay, lesbian and bisexual communities. This workshop is geared toward allies and providers, but all are welcome. The workshop directly addresses the reality that trans and intersex communities are often marginalized. In order to genuinely become an ally, people need to learn more, examine their values and take concrete steps to truly be inclusive and effective. This interactive workshop will help jump start and build upon that process.

Bi/Queer People of Color Gathering – Part One

The Bi/Queer People of Color (POC) gathering is aimed at creating dialogue and developing action steps around the self-identified needs of bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgendered, and/or queer People of Color. Participants will discuss issues of race, class, and sexuality from a POC perspective and are encouraged to share challenges, triumphs, and learned lessons from their respective personal and professional experiences. Through dialogue and brainstorming we'll work toward identifying and strategizing an action plan to address our self-identified needs. This is an opportunity to identify, celebrate, and embrace our vibrant differences and/or similarities. This space is open to People of Color Only.

A Closet for Two? Mixed-Orientation and TransGendered Marriage Journeys, A Panel

Mixed-Orientation marriage is a topic not well represented in the GLBT or straight society. This can be an isolating experience for both the gay/bi/trans spouse as well as the straight spouse. Join us for a panel discussion reflecting diverse journeys by people who have been or presently are in mixed-orientation and/or transgender impacted marriages. Resources for support will also be discussed, including the Straight Spouse Network and other organizations that support family members.

Saturday 11:15am - 12:15pm

Trans on Campus: Measuring and Improving the Climate for Transgender Students

Research on transgender college students (Beemyn, in press) finds that they experience higher levels of harassment than other students and typically encounter ill-informed faculty and staff, insufficient trans-related campus resources and programming, and inadequate medical care. Yet few colleges and universities are even aware of these issues, much less seeking to provide institutional support to trans students. This workshop will discuss the results of the first multi-campus qualitative and quantitative studies of trans students, and based on these findings, outline specific steps that colleges and universities can take to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for trans people.

FEMME-ininity: GenderQueer Femme Identity and Misogyny within the Queer Women’s Community

In this facilitated discussion, we’ll explore the meaning of being femme or being experienced as femme, particularly within the queer community. What does internalized misogyny look like? What’s so bad about being a girl, or girly? How do we interact with other queer women without replicating heteronormative gender roles? Participants will be encouraged to share stories, experiences and ideas as well as take part in some interactive activities. The presentation will culminate in ideas and empowerment about femme identities and labels, and measures to take back to their communities to assist in dealing with the devaluation of femme-ininity.

PFLAG Membership Recruitment and Retention

This workshop was developed to help participants gain skills to revitalize their chapters by recruiting new members and keeping those seasoned members coming back! It includes strategies designed to fit chapters of all sizes. This workshop will present concrete examples of work done by PFLAG chapters all over the country. Gain the tools to build a stronger chapter and increase your ability to serve more people in your communities.

Embracing The Exiled: Understanding and Repairing the Psychological Effects of Antigay Religious Rhetoric

Embracing The Exiled is a talk about the psychological injuries that result from religious-based or legitimized antigay sentiment and gender normative attitudes and societal prescriptions. This talk begins with a down-to-earth discussion about some fundamental aspects of emotional and psychological development. Next, we'll discuss how fundamentalist and conservative religious rhetoric does harm. Finally, Dr. Faver presents an "antidote" that anyone who wishes to support GLBTQ people can use to help heal these injuries. Ample time for questions and discussion is planned.

Celebrating Our Adult Lesbian and Gay Children and their Children with Children’s Books

I have observed that books can provide affirmation for children, especially when they see families like their own depicted in the pictures and stories. We know that at least 10% of our children will be lesbian or gay. It is so important that they, their friends, and families find this to be fine and normal. I will share children’s books portraying families with parents of one gender. Ongoing questions and discussion from participants will be invited. When parents, grandparents, and friends read books to young children they all share in this process of affirmation.

Intersex 101 – How Intersex Affects You

The presentation will be structured around a slide show that will form the basis for a group discussion. The goal is to explain more details about intersex and how it reflects the social values imposed on all of us. We will also explore myths of gender as a social phenomenon.

Harnessing the power of your organization's website: What non-technical activists should know!

If you are a non-geek it can be intimidating to figure out how to harness the power of the internet to help your organization. This workshop shows you what's available and how you can put it together... without knowing a lot about computers. Fundraising? Gaining members? Retaining members? Voter assistance? Fundraising? Most importantly, this workshop helps the non-technical members of your board to understand what to ask of your webmaster and how to ask.

Polyamory 101

Limited to participants who are 18 and older.
What is "polyamory" anyway? Don't people get jealous? Isn't polyamory just a fancy word for good old-fashioned cheating? How is it different from swinging? Is polyamory the same thing as polygamy? Is it safe to be "out" as polyamorous? What about the kids? How did this movement get started? How is it different from the "free love" of the sixties? How can people find out if this lovestyle is for them? Participants at all levels are welcome.

Saturday Luncheon

Saturday 3:15 - 4:45pm

Taking a Stand: Creating Safe Schools for All Students

This introductory workshop, designed for all school personnel, uses video clips and hands-on activities to examine the obvious and subtle ways that bias plays out in schools, and offers resources for creating schools that are safe for all students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Ask the Doctor About HIV/AIDS

Dr. Davaro will present an overview of HIV, including a short historical background, as well as a brief look into the future. Dr. Davaro will also discuss current and future HIV treatments. Feel free to "Ask the Doctor" any question around HIV/AIDS.

Coming out as a child or adolescent as transgendered or transsexual and the parents’ process of acceptance

This will be a panel presentation including parents and their transgendered children and teenagers. Diane Ellaborn, LICSW, an experienced gender specialist will moderate this panel. The discussion will explore issues of coming out as a young transgendered individual to parents and their parents’ emotional process that led to eventual full acceptance. Crossgender expression at home, at school and in the community will be discussed. Non-medical and medical treatment of children and adolescents who are transgendered/transsexual will be discussed as well as other topics.

Queercrips: We Do Exist, We Do Have Sex, and We Can Be Really Hot

Limited to participants who are 18 and older.
This facilitated discussion will allow folks with disabilities and our allies to explore together the seldom talked about topic of disability and sexuality from a queercrip perspective. While we’ll focus on the experiences of queer people with disabilities, the insights will be useful to people with many different experiences. We’ll spend some time shattering stereotypes about sexuality and sexiness that contribute to the sexual oppression of people with disabilities. We’ll address the specific struggles of queercrips. And finally, we we’ll use photography and video to discuss sexual self-representation as a pathway to resistance.

Hope Along the Wind: The Life of Harry Hay

Harry Hay is truly the founder of the gay/queer liberation movement and his work is as relevant today as it was in the 1950’s. He was a pioneer and visionary queer activist – he founded the Mattachine Society, the first gay rights organization in the US. His work continued through the 1990’s with the creation of the Radical Faerie movement. We'll watch the documentary film Hope Along The Wind, which recounts Hay’s life and his struggles over 40 years of political activism. The film will be followed by a group discussion of Harry’s work & legacy, and its relevance for us today.

Safer Sex is a Many Generational Thing

Limited to participants who are 18 and older.
This provocative hands-on interactive skills-building workshop concentrates on the 50/60/70/80+ something populations of ALL sexual and/or gender identities. Using humor, props, role modeling, and hands-on exercises, Lani and audience will engage in a unique and creative experience that will leave no one unchallenged or uneducated about safer sex. Everyone over 18 is welcome!

Legal Issues and Being Kinky: Oil and Water!

Limited to participants who are 18 and older.
How can you express kinky sexuality without encountering law enforcement? What should you do if you are questioned by police about what you do in the bedroom? This workshop will identify varieties of kinky sex and provide some clear guidelines to help you stay out of trouble. It will answer your questions about the current state of the law in the areas of a variety of alt.sex communities, sex toys, BDSM, sodomy, and assault as well as what’s on the horizon nationally.

Saturday 5:00 - 6:00pm

Safe School Ambassadors: Building Coalitions for Safety and Respect within Our Schools

Safe School Ambassadors, a program of Community Matters, was featured on the TODAY Show in April 2004, as THE most effective anti-bullying and violence-prevention program in the USA. It taps the power of the real leadership within various school social groups, to challenge the existing social norms that "cruel is cool" and teaches students how to perform simple, safe, and effective actions to counter mistreatment as it occurs. Learn the strategies of this innovative and effective program and how it can be used to support efforts to create a safe and welcoming environment for ALL students.

Raising A Transgender Child/Compassionate Parenting

Using a combination of personal stories and exploring raising children through the lens of gender development, this workshop will provide a safe space in which to explore the myriad of emotions, beliefs, and ideas parents and other caregivers go through as children express their gender identification(s). A combination of presentation and discussion, the presenters will use their own experiences plus invite participants to share their journeys in the ongoing efforts to accept and nurture our children. Stephanie Guinan has written a booklet (provided free to participants) on raising a transgender child. Tracy Rich, Compassionate Parenting, is a Boston-area parent educator.

Know Your Rights – The Legal Landscape for Trans and Genderqueer People in New England and Beyond

Led by members of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), this workshop will provide a survey of the legal protections afforded to transgender and genderqueer people at the local, state, and federal levels. Join us for a look at the recent increase in the number of trans-inclusive laws protecting people in cities and counties across the nation. We'll also consider the work that still needs to be done, and discuss the ways in which ongoing education and policy efforts are essential to making sure that positive laws make a real difference in peoples' lives.

Coping with Alcoholism and Addiction in Queer Communities

A facilitated discussion led by Rosa, a recovering alcoholic and addict who has four years clean in the fellowships of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. We’ll talk about the challenges that are unique to trans, bi, intersex, gay, lesbian, and queer folks who are dealing with addiction. Is the queer community in your area supportive of the process of recovery or is it difficult to maintain community connections while in recovery? People at all levels are welcome to join us. Participants must agree to keep personal information confidential.

Facilitating Groups Like a Superhero!

Your support group sucks? Attendance low? Want to start a new group? Find out the secret to attracting new members, retaining them, and being the most amazing facilitator in the planet. Faster than a speeding bisexual, more powerful than a member that keeps repeating the same story over and over, able to leap tall tales in a single bound! It's super-facilitator! (Note: Non-facilitators have attended this workshop and found it makes them a better participant!)

Transcending Boundaries Within the MTF Spectrum – A Panel

Since the days of Christine Jorgensen and other early transgender pioneers, the feminine sides of more and more male-born transgender-identified people are coming out of the closet and taking on more and more labels and identities. In this panel, we'll explore some of the differences that make the male to female transgender community so diverse. We'll also talk about our commonalties and look for ways that we can be better allies for one another.

SM101 (Not a “How To” but a “What! Huh?”)
How to Talk About BDSM/Leather/Fetish – For Allies, Families, and Professionals

Limited to participants who are 18 and older.
Find out the basics about the kink community: terminology, what to avoid, and what's appropriate to ask about. Learn more about how to be a good ally, a supportive family member, or a professional who can be sensitive to the unique needs of this sexual minority. We'll also discuss risk and communication. Finally, we'll point you toward some local and national resources since it's very likely that kinky folks are your sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, neighbors, and patients already!

Coming-Out Party and Book Signing for Bi Men: Coming Out Every Which Way

Come celebrate the publication of Bi Men: Coming Out Every Which Way, the groundbreaking Haworth nonfiction collection of bisexual men's coming-out stories edited by Ron Suresha and Pete Chvany. Join the editors and any contributors attending, as we read and discuss some of the three dozen articles in this exciting and controversial new anthology. All are welcome.

Sunday 8:00 - 8:55am

Sunday Morning Service "A Word of Encouragement"

Sunday Morning Service: A time of praise and worship with a "Word of Encouragement" to strengthen believers and maintain diversity. Breakfast muffins will be served with coffee and juice by Valore Bene. Come fellowship with us!

Amrit Yoga: Morning Sadhana

Begin the day by exploring the connection between your mind, your breath, and your body with an invigorating yet gentle yoga practice. The movement of the body is intrinsic to the releasing of emotional blockages within the psyche, freeing the mind for a deeper meditative experience. Appropriate to all levels, come practice the consciousness of Being.

Integrating Spirituality Into Sexuality

Limited to participants who are 18 and older.
Interconnectedness is a key to lasting relationships. In order to be truly healthy, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of sexuality need to be considered. Desire, passion, and longing are experiences of both our bodies and minds. The ISIS wheel created by Dr. Gina Ogden, author of the Heart and Soul of Sex will be presented, as well as exercises to create Every Day Intimacy. We will address aspects of releasing to create space for more pleasure and joy. Participants will be introduced to exercises using color visualization, which may create a kundalini experience.

Sunday 9:00 - 10:00am

Ethnic Diversity - the multifocal perspective

This interactive workshop will build on three truths: (1) There is no hierarchy of oppression. (2) Every group membership has privileges and targets. (3) Identity is complex, fluid and personal. The second part of the workshop will focus on the roles of family, & spirituality in communities of color, and geographic dependent norms. Participants will obtain a broad understanding of diversity terms and assessment tools, develop immediately applicable tools for diversity audits and self checks, and identify resources for cultural fluency and building allies.

The State of Marriage Equality in Massachusetts and Beyond

It has been almost 3 years since the first same-sex marriages were performed in Massachusetts on May 17, 2004. Over 8,000 same-sex couples have wed in the Commonwealth since then. Yet the debate rages on, fueled by opponents of marriage equality who are determined to strike down equal marriage rights no matter what the consequences, no matter what the cost. Join us to for an update about Massachusetts and to learn what you can do to help. We will also give an update on the status of marriage equality and LGBT rights in other key states.

Getting the Sex You Want (and Not the Sex You Don’t Want)

Limited to participants who are 18 and older.
This workshop is designed to improve people’s sexual communications and negotiation skills in an interactive, fun, and sexy way. How can you tell your date what you want to do in bed without sounding like a bad movie? How do you figure out what your lover wants without the powers of ESP? What’s a good way to say that something is going “too far” without making them feel rejected? We’ll address issues related to personal boundaries; how to communicate and negotiate about bodies, anatomy, sexual desires and safer sex; and how to avoid physically and emotionally unsafe situations.

Redefining Masculinity: How and Why Transmen are Changing the Definitions of Manhood

What are the myths of manhood that are ingrained into our culture? How and why are transmen redefining these? The presenters will discuss their personal experiences with transition, including how and why they adopted their own definitions of manhood and masculinity that don't necessarily match the culture's dominant paradigm, as well as the importance of acknowledging and respecting all forms of gender expression.

Queer Spirituality – A Facilitated Discussion

A facilitated discussion of the unique ways in which "queer" people relate to spirituality, the spiritual roles that gender-variant and homoerotically inclined people have played in traditional and indigenous cultures, and how we can create and reclaim ways of celebrating and sharing our precious spiritual gifts in the world today.

Queer Media Matters: BTI Representation and Activism

Is there an identifiable Bisexual, Transgendered, and Intersex popular media? Granted that bis and transfolk have distinctly different community needs from each other for the media to fulfill, and that bis and transfolk have decades advantage ahead of the nascent intersex community. The gaystream media often treats its bi, intersex, and trans communities like, well, sexual minorities and outcast perverts, offering them scant coverage of community issues and events, and often promoting misleading and marginalizing portrayals. What would a successful BTI-focused media look like? What steps do we take to foster bi and trans visibility to ourselves, to our monosexual queer allies, and to mainstream media?

Sunday 10:15 - 11:45am

Celebrate Genderqueer Identities and Alternatives to Male/Female Gender Identities

The panel represents people who identify as genderqueer or whose gender identity is not strictly male or female, regardless of what they call themselves. Genderqueer can take on many forms and may be largely an external expression, or mostly internal. We are hoping the discussion will go beyond gender bending in people who identify as male or female in order to celebrate genderqueer/other as a category in and of itself. Our goal is to foster sharing and exploring. Each of the panelists will describe their own genderqueer expression or identity. Then the panel organizers will facilitate a discussion among the presenters and participants.

Young, Gay, and My Parents are Really Religious – A panel of speakers from Greater Boston PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People)

Listen to stories from young gay panelists as they tell about coming out to their really religious parents. Go along with them on their journey and get insight, knowledge and awareness. You will leave this workshop with a feeling of hope and amazement. Get insights and ways to connect with your own family. Opportunity for Q & A and discussion.

PFLAG and Transgender – Sharing a Future

A discussion of shared needs and opportunities for PFLAG and transgender individuals and organizations. Emphasis will be on similarities and differences between GLB and T issues. PFLAG Transgender Network’s efforts toward inclusion of transgender issues in PFLAG and PFLAG Chapters provide support, education, and advocacy for transgender people and their families. Discussion following is encouraged.

(W)HOLY QUEER (featuring Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish High School)

From sanctifying same-sex marriages to ordaining gay or transgender clergy, discussions of GLBT identity and inclusion are taking place across the religious spectrum. Caught in the fray, GLBT religious youth are often torn between their sexual or gender identity and the dictates of their faith. This session will feature a screening of the groundbreaking documentary film Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish High School, which offers a vital new framework to understand these issues and examines GLBT activism in the context of a pluralistic Jewish community. The screening will be followed by discussion.

Bisexuality In Context: Understanding Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

Our society's overly simplistic model of human sexuality uses Straight/Heterosexual vs. Gay/Lesbian/Homosexual. In particular, it denies the reality of everyone whose fantasies, behavior, identity, etc. do not neatly fit this either/or, male/female-partner, model of sexuality. Using a series of experiential exercises, we'll explore: the range of differences in sex (male - intersex - transsexual - female); gender (girl/woman/feminine - transgender/gender b[l]ender -boy/man/masculine); and gender attraction/sexual identity/sexual orientation (gay/lesbian/homosexual - all/ambi/omni/pan/bi/polysexual/sensual - non-identified - asexual -autosexual - straight/heterosexual). This exploration will provide a solid basis for anti-oppression work. A good workshop for the professional or non-professional trying to integrate information about gender identity, gender expression, and sexual identity/sexual orientation.

Transgender Health: What We Need To Know

What are the various health needs of transgender people? What are the health disparities that are present in our communities? What can we do to address these problems and help keep ourselves and our community healthy? This workshop will focus on trans-related health information as well as ways to address health care barriers for transpeople in our communities.

Bi/Queer People of Color Gathering – Part Two

If you could not attend Part One, you are welcome to join us for Part Two. In this session, we hope to build on our work from the first discussion as we work toward identifying and strategizing an action plan to address our self-identified needs. This is an opportunity to get to know each other as bi/queer People of Color and a chance to create our own space and self-identification. Our discussion will again be open to People of Color Only.

Sunday 12:15 - 1:15pm

Lifelines for Trans Youth: Helping Transgender and Transsexual Youth Make Successful Transitions to Adulthood

This presentation examines the institutional resources and policies needed for transgender/transsexual youth to make successful transitions to adulthood. The formal talk segment combines clinical literature review with personal stories from trans youth and input from adult providers. This presentation offers cohesive strategies and guidelines to increase the cultural competency of educators, parents, physicians, therapists, administrators, policy makers, and other providers who may encounter trans youth. The interactive component of this workshop includes facilitated exercises to enable adult providers from diverse professions to serve as "lifelines" for transgender/transsexual youth. Participants are encouraged to bring relevant questions, concerns, and situations for discussion.

Does My White Privilege Make Me Look Racist?

Using techniques of Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, specifically Forum Theatre, Roxanna and Heather will guide participants in a workshop about racism, white privilege, and how to be an anti-racist ally.

Why Bi? Women's reflections about their (bi) sexual identity

This presentation shares data from a study that interviewed 40 women about their relationships. This includes women who identify as bisexual, lesbian, heterosexual, and polyamorous – all express an attraction and desire for more than one gender. Some women reveal innumerable challenges with friends and family as they journey into bisexuality while others come out with the help of supportive communities. The most compelling aspect of these women's stories is the shifts that they experience as sexual beings throughout their life and how their strategies for finding sexual partners, falling in love, and creating friendships are complex, passionate, painful and continually evolving

Working with Faith Groups

This training recognizes the important intersection of Faith and Homosexuality. It will train chapters on strategies to use to educate about faith based issues and how best to respond to the arguments of the religious right and other opposition groups. An important component of the training covers how to build relationships and dialogue with conservative faith communities to minimize their opposition to PFLAG's work in such areas as safe schools.

Working Class Identity and Sexual Identity – A Facilitated Discussion

Why is class so often the elephant in the room for queer organizations? This discussion will begin with a definition of socioeconomic class and then focus on working class identity. We'll be mindful of the heterogeneity of the working class, which includes people of different races, ethnicities, ages, and geographic locations. Participants will be invited to share their perspectives on their own working class identities and sexual identities. We'll also discuss mobility, social comparison, visibility, and affiliation. Let's challenge the hierarchies we sometimes find by talking about how our working class experiences can impact the queer rights movement.

Our Movement History: The BiTransAction

In 1996 at the annual National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Creating Change Conference, bisexual and transgender activists organized an impromptu speakout during the main plenary to confront biphobia and transphobia; to demand recognition of bisexual, transgender, and intersex people; and asked lesbian and gay people to stand with us as allies. A video of the action and a discussion of that day will be presented.

Transfeminism

“Transfeminism” is a new word that arises out of the differences in the struggles of feminists with those of transpeople. Let’s have a philosophical discussion about our common enemy—patriarchy—and exactly what any minoritized groups can do to fight oppression, with the goal of coming up with real solutions to concrete problems.

Sunday 3:00 - 4:30pm