In the News: Bay Area Reporter

Confabs to spotlight trans leaders

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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.