Confabs to spotlight trans leaders
Published 10/25/2012
compiled by Cynthia Laird
Two upcoming conferences in Berkeley are focused on
transgender issues; one deals with religious leaders while the other looks at
leadership in general.
First up is the Transgender Religious Leaders Summit, taking
place November 1-3 at the Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Avenue. The
conference is co-sponsored by PSR, the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in
Religion and Ministry, and several seminary schools. Organizers noted that
faith communities must be educated and inspired to embrace the inclusion and
affirmation of transgender, queer, intersex, transsexual, and gender
non-conforming members.
The summit begins with a welcome from Bernie Schlager, CLGS
executive director, on Thursday, November 1 at 6 p.m. A catered dinner will
then be held, followed by an evening worship service. The conference continues
on Friday and Saturday with a variety of sessions, including workshops on
religious movements and trans liturgy, the transgender Christ, and gender
fluidity. Friday's keynote speaker is the Reverend Megan Rohrer, who will talk
about faith leaders acting as bridges to communicate life-changing thoughts and
actions.
There are also several partner events, including gatherings
of gender non-conforming Jews and Muslims.
New Spirit Community church, which holds its services in the
PSR chapel, will have a special transgender service Sunday, November 4 with Jakob
Hero preaching. He is a former New Spirit intern and PSR graduate. The service
begins at 11 a.m.
Full registration is $95, with a student rate of $60.
One-day passes are also available for $55. For a complete schedule and more
information, visit
http://www.clgs.org/events/2012TransSummit.
One week later, November 9-11, the Transgender Law Center
will hold its annual Transgender Leadership Summit on the UC Berkeley campus.
The conference begins with welcoming remarks by TLC Executive Director Masen
Davis Friday at 7 p.m.
The summit continues Saturday with a morning plenary and
workshops, followed by an evening plenary session and celebration. More
workshops are scheduled for Sunday morning ahead of closing remarks.
This will be TLC's seventh annual leadership conference and
this year it will feature programs from members of the Transgender Advocacy
Network, a national network of advocacy and educational organizations.
Organizers said that a range of topics will be addressed, including legal
issues, health care advocacy, and organizational development.
Registration is $50; limited income is $25. For more
information, visit
www.transgenderlawcenter.org.
