Friday, March 16, 2018

Edxie Betts To Speak at 4th Asterisk Trans* Conference

Edxie Betts
We are very excited to announce our closing keynote speaker: Edxie Betts!
Edxie Is a Black, Blackfoot, Filipinx, Disabled (Neuro-divergent),Trans, Queer, artist, cultural worker and autonomous organizer. They do direct support for queer and trans political prisoners. Edxie speaks at different schools and events to discuss decolonial struggle and the power of collective consent. Their art and cultural work is aimed at inspiring healing, uplift, encouraging critical thought, dialogue and direct actions.
Edxie will be closing the conference with a presentation on "Reclaiming Our Consent." This presentation is aimed at helping to broaden the scope of what consent is and how it relates to interpersonal dynamics as well as how that relates to varying forms of oppression /domination, including but not limited to Race, Class, Gender, Sex, Citizenship & Ability.

Bamby Salcedo To Speak at 4th Asterisk Trans* Conference

Bamby Salcedo
We are honored to announce our keynote speaker Bamby Salcedo!

Bamby is the founder of the Los Angeles based TransLatin@ Coalition which “is an organization formed by Trans Latin@ immigrant leaders who came together in 2009 to organize and advocate for the needs of Trans Latin@s who are immigrants residing in the US.”

Bamby Salcedo was recognized as one of the “14 Women of Color Who Rocked 2014” by ColorLines. In 2014, her documentary “Transvisible: Bamby Salcedo’s Story” was released. That same year Bamby was honored at Lambda Legal’s West Coast Liberty Awards for her work in Angels of Change, an organization that provides health care services for Trans youth.

In 2016 Bamby spoke at the White House as part of the White House United States of Women Summit.

Bamby’s work continues to be recognized and awarded locally and nationally.

We, the planning committee and Occidental College are honored to host Bamby Salcedo as our keynote speaker at this year’s conference where she will speak about Trans empowerment.

To learn more about Bamby you can go to her website: http://bambysalcedo.com/index.php


To register to attend the conference, click here.

Learn About Hormone Therapy & Gender Affirming Surgery

L.A. LGBT Center
Los Angeles LGBT Center staff members Lisa Kimsey, Senior Operations Manager and Melissa Burroughs, LCSW - Mental Health Clinician V will be presenting on hormone replacement therapy and gender affirming surgery.

“If you're interested in learning more about Hormone Therapy and gender affirming surgery please join us in a presentation where we will cover some of the basics of starting hormones and information about gender affirming surgery. We will have a Q&A to answer questions you may have as well as provide registration packets for those wanting to access services at the LA LGBT Center.”

Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center provides services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. 

Mobility Workshop with Justin Chow at the 4th Asterisk Trans* Conference

Justin Chow
At the conference, Justin Chow, NSCA Certified Personal Trainer with EVERYBODY, will be hosting a workshop titled: Mobility for Training and Life “This hands-on workshop will focus on warm-up drills, mobility, form, and stretches to prepare for working out and relieving muscle tightness and stiffness in day-to-day life. We may discuss exercise in relation to transition, hormones, surgery, and injury if there is interest in these topics. All bodies and levels are welcome and physical participation is not required.”

EVERYBODY is devoted to providing a brave and supportive environment for all bodies to move, strengthen, and heal, making health and wellness accessible, affordable and adaptive to all people regardless of their gender, race, age, size, or ability. Housed in an 8,000 square foot space in Cypress Park, EVERYBODY includes two movement studios, a fully equipped gym floor, gender neutral locker room and bathroom, and a large outdoor area. 

Pronouns: He/Him

L.A. Gender Center Addresses Self-Care as Revolution

Theodore R. Burnes

The Los Angeles Gender Center staff Theodore R. Burnes, Ph.D will be presenting a workshop titled: “Self care as revolution: Promoting self-care as a form of transgender advocacy and liberation.”

In this interactive workshop, presenters from the Los Angeles Gender Center will facilitate dialogue about how the transgender and gender nonconforming communities can take care of themselves. Panelists will share information from a wide variety of sources on activist burnout and provide opportunities for sharing strategies that help us take care of ourselves and each other.

Learn more about the Los Angeles Gender Center at http://lagendercenter.org/about.html

Supernova Queer Self-Defense and Martial Arts To Teach at Conference


We are delighted to share that one of our workshops will be provided by Supernova Queer Self-Defense and Martial Arts.

Self-defense takes on an explosive form with Supernova/Tomoe Ryu Martial Arts. Since 2010, Supernova has trained and equipped trans and queer communities with self-defense techniques and self-discipline. Come learn basics of queer self defense and how to be safer in your day to day routines.

Presenters:
Ryka Aoki
Byron Jose
Anissa Lynn
Marian Gonzalez

Supernova/Queer Self-Defense provides regular classes. Please see this flyer for class times and information.

Gender Justice L.A. Info & Zines at Conference

Gender Justice L.A.
One of our afternoon sessions will be presented by Ezak Perez of Gender Justice Los Angeles. Ezak will also be sharing information during the Resource Fair. You can also purchase zines to benefit Gender Justice L.A.

Gender Justice Los Angeles’s vision is: “We believe in liberation. We dream of a world free from all forms of interpersonal and state violence, where our whole selves, communities, kinships, and chosen families are held in all of our complexities. This world affirms practices of collective learning, wellness, culture, and traditions that sustain us emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically. Our vision is to get free!”

Adam Morello Reyes Art Featured at Conference Resource Fair



We are excited that local artist Adam Morello Reyes will be joining our resource/vendor fair to sell prints of their awesome and amazing art!

Adam can be reached at: arullfitness@gmail.com for commissions and on instagram @pinche.queer
Pronouns: He/They

If images are shared please credit Adam as the artist.

Ethan Patron To Present On Accessing Trans Health Coverage

Ethan Patron

Ethan Patron, Patient Advocate from St. John’s Transgender Health Program will be presenting on “Getting it Covered, Access to Health Coverage in Uncertain Times.”

Transgender and gender-expansive adults face many difficult questions as they map out their transition and determine what types of transition-related care to seek, if any. At no time is this more clear than when it comes to medical decisions about physical transition. Once tough decisions have been made, another challenge becomes apparent: paying for the medical services being sought. This session will explore the intricate and evolving landscape of insurance coverage for gender-related medical services. With the Affordable Care Act on the chopping block, growing awareness of the needs of transgender and gender-expansive patients, and multiple treatment options, providers must be knowledgeable about what their clients and patients can expect to encounter as they seek to cover the costs of their transition-related care.

Marcos Zamora Sanchez To Present on Trauma & Mental Health

Marcos Zamora Sanchez

Marcos Zamora Sanchez, LCSW, will be presenting the workshop “Is Trauma Affecting My Mental Health?”

Trauma impacts everyone and it can develop adverse and resilient traits in you. In the best intention to set a brave space, join us in a conversation about how it is to be a transgender/gender non-conforming individual today. Whether you have experienced a disturbing event, witnessed violence, or live in a toxic environment, symptoms of trauma are expressed in various forms of strengths and weaknesses. How do you take care of yourself in vulnerable situations? Is a therapist even an option? Explore self-awareness and ways to re-learn, as well as unlearn safety, fear, self-esteem, rejection, shame, and guilt.

Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs

Chance Ward To Present on Black Queer Femininity

Chance Ward
Chance Ward, a student at Occidental College will be presenting a workshop titled: “Bare Life: A Recentering of Black Queer Femininity”

Join Chance in their workshop that explores a collection of poetry, prose, and short stories that constitute an active queering of previously exalted conventions of art concerning sovereignty and freedom. This collection interrogates the merits of cisheteropatriarchy and demands it's beneficiaries to deconstruct its marginalizing so much of the world’s magnificence. This collection also converses with narratives of intersecting privilege to prompt empathy and engage an intertextuality that reconciles the resistance and existence of the Black Queer Femme. Lastly, the collection sublates current canons of socially provocative art in favor of conventions that create revolutionary space for the many fragmented Black Queer souls suffering in this world.

Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Joaquin Caro from Strength United To Present on Trans Survivors of Color

Joaquin Caro

We are thrilled to have Joaquin Caro from Strength United presenting an afternoon workshop!

Please join Joaquin in their workshop titled: “#MeToo: Trans Survivors of Color.”

What happens when trans people experience sexual assault? Sexual violence, abuse, and harassment affect our community in many different ways. Almost every survivor is silenced, vilified, and left without resources or justice. I hope to confront this topic in a safe space by discussing what accountability, justice, and healing looks like for our community and start to imagine beyond what systems are set up for survivors.

Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Name & Gender Change Workshops at the 4th Asterisk Trans* Conference


Luna

Curious what the process is to legally change your name or your gender marker? 

Join The LGBT Center staffLuna, Manager: TEEP Legal Services, in this workshop.
•Become familiar with the necessary forms.
•Understand which courts are available to you.
•Apply for fee waivers.
•Know your rights for undocumented/ID-less folks.
•Decide whether to file as a youth under 18 or not.
•Begin the expungement process for tickets, warrants and other misdemeanors/felonies.
•Outline your physician’s affidavit.
•Learn updates for non-binary gender marker changes in California.

Resources will be provided to partner organizations such as Bet Tzedek Legal Services.

Luna will be presenting two amazing and useful presentations at the conference (see previous post for info on their other workshop). We hope you will check out one of their workshops!

Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Typewriter Troubadour Jeremy M. Brownlove To Write Poetry for Conference Attendees

Typewriter Troubadour Jeremy M. Brownlove

We are excited to have the Typewriter Troubadour, Jeremy M. Brownlove, join us at the conference to write attendees (free!) short poems about a topic of their choice, on the spot, during breakfast and lunch!

Jeremy is a trans American poet. In 2015 he founded the improv-typewriter poetry project, Typewriter Troubadour, while traveling across America creating and performing original pieces of poetry for curious pedestrians. His first book of poetry, Angels Of The Underground, will be released in May 2018. When he is not writing, Jeremy enjoys cooking, adventures in nature, taking photographs, and playing drums. A full time traveler, he calls the open road his home.


You can see his work, and follow his travels on Instagram, (@typewritertroubadour) and of course at the conference!

Monday, January 29, 2018

Group Registration Open and Call for Programs Extended for 4th Asterisk Trans* Conference



The 4th Asterisk Trans* Conference has opened Group Registration, with a priority group registration deadline of February 16. Delegations will be charged $15/person. Individual registration is $25/person and will open soon. Because of limited venue space, please limit delegations to 10-20 people. Learn more on the Registration page.


We also invite you to submit a program proposal by Friday, February 2 at noon. Learn more on the Call for Programs page. Registration fees will be waived for workshop presenters.


Occidental College will host the 4th Asterisk Trans* Conference on Saturday, March 31, 2018. Contact asterisk@oxy.edu with any questions.

Friday, January 12, 2018

Call for Programs open until Jan 26th for 4th Asterisk Trans* Conference



In order to create the most dynamic program possible, Occidental College would like to invite YOU to submit a session proposal for the conference. Sessions will be 60 minutes long and can address a wide-variety of topics relating to the trans* experience, including but not limited to: health & well-being, education & advocacy, intersectionality, legal rights, building community, etc. Sample workshops from the 2017 conference can be viewed here.

In order to submit a workshop proposal, please complete this form between now and Friday, January 26, 2018 to tell us more about your envisioned session.

Visit the Call for Programs page for more info.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

3rd Asterisk Trans* Conference Is a Gender Awesome Experience

One group photo to close out the 3rd Asterisk Trans* Conference.
About 500 people registered to attend the 3rd Asterisk Trans* Conference, representing 50 college campuses.

According to the anonymous demographic survey:
46% of attendees are trans or genderqueer
54% are people of color
63% are undergraduate students
13% are community members
11% are faculty
8% are staff
6% are graduate students

Many thanks to our featured speakers & performers: Drago Renteria, Trans Chorus of L.A., Isa Noyola, J Mase III, and Vita E.

The 2017 conference was presented by Asterisk of UCR and the LGBT Resource Center, with major support from the California Endowment and Highlander Empowerment Referendum funding.

Special thanks to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, the Associated Students Program Board, and to these departments for supporting ASL interpretation services: Asian Pacific Student Programs, Chicano Student Programs, and the Middle Eastern Student Center.

Archive - Workshops at the 2017 Asterisk Trans* Conference

This is an archive of workshops presented at the 3rd Asterisk Trans* Conference. Click here to read the workshop schedule.

Cis Partners of Trans Folx
Lucy Hincaipe, UCR Alum
Are you in a relationship with someone who is trans or genderqueer? Would you like to talk with others to share your experiences and discuss navigating the world as the partner of a trans or genderqueer person? Please join this supportive conversation space. Please note: This is a closed space for cisgender partners of trans or genderqueer folx.

A Conversation with Zoey Luna and Her Mother Ofelia
Zoey Luna & Ofelia Barba
Join Zoey & Ofelia for a conversation following the screening of the documentary Raising Zoey. Learn about Zoey’s life since the film and her family’s ongoing support as she lives her authentic life.

Even My Drums are Revolutionary
J Mase III & Vita E
No revolution was ever created without artists. As activists, we often ask ourselves, "What would a world free from oppression look like?" It is our creative parts that allows us to imagine that answer. Participants in this session, will explore artistic revolution using writing, percussion & performance exercises to create solo and group poems.

Health Providers Panel: Accessing Trans-Friendly Health Care
Bianca Salvetti, MSN, CNS, CPNP, & Jamie Julian, MSW, Children’s Hospital L.A. – Center for Transyouth Health & Development www.chla.org
Robert Fontanilla, MSPAS, MPH, PA-C, AAHIVS, Physician Assistant, Borrego Health www.borregohealthspecialty.org
Carrie Bacon, M.D., Medical Director & Omar Gonzalez, LCSW, IEHP Clinical Manager, Inland Empire Health Plan www.iehp.org
Staff Representative, TruEvolution Wellness & Engagement Center, www.truevolution.org
How can you access trans-friendly medical care and programs specifically knowledgeable regarding hormone replacement therapy? How does access to health insurance impact your options? What documentation, if any, is required to show “medical necessity” when receiving medical care related to transitioning? Join a panel of health providers and learn about some of your health options.

Honoring the T in LGBTQ History
Kim Earhart, Mt. San Antonio College
While state law requires public schools to incorporate LGBTQ* history in the curriculum, the "T" is often overlooked. This workshop attempts to address the absence of transgender peoples from the traditional telling of US history. Using primary sources, together we will uncover hidden heroes from our past.

Introduction to Nonbinary Identities
Johann Koehle, UC Santa Barbara
Nonbinary identities are unfamiliar for many people even within the trans community, too often leading to exclusion. This workshop is intended to equip trans advocates to understand and include nonbinary folks in their advocacy. We will present a modern and historical examination of nonbinary gender identities, and discuss critical topics including neutral pronouns, nonbinary transition, and the legal status of nonbinary folks.

Let's Talk About Sex: What You Want to Know, What You Need to Know.
Eli Lawliet, UCLA, Point Foundation Scholar
As trans people, we aren't given the kind of comprehensive sex ed that cis people get. Sure, there's some cross over, but there are also aspects of sex and sexuality that are specific to us. This workshop aims to facilitate a discussion; what do you know, what do you wish you had known sooner, and what do you wish you knew more about now? As a collaborative, trans-only group, we will discuss sex and sexuality, resources, and the information we need to have fantastic, gender-affirming sex, with or without medical intervention. This is a closed space for transgender folx.

Linguistics of Gender Neutral Language
ENG Jole, Occidental College
This program is designed to help navigate the often-complicated world of gender-neutral language, especially pertaining to non-binary people, and to make both allies and trans* individuals comfortable with using language that accurately reflects gender identity. This topic will be approached with an open point of view, and is based on actual usage and patterns of language rather than arbitrary, cishet-normative ideas of "proper" and improper" usage.

Name and Gender Marker Change Clinic
Alexandra Magallon, TransLatin@ Coalition

Learn how to complete your name and/or gender marker change paperwork. You will be provided with the necessary forms, walked through the court filing process and provided with helpful tips and updates.

Name, Reclaim, Love: Navigating Dysphoria through Self-Love
Jaden Fields, APAIT; Destin Cortez, APAIT
This workshop is an opportunity for folks who were assigned female at birth and are/have transitioned into masculinity to unpack the negative messaging many of us received about our vaginas growing up, and to reconnecting, in a healing way, with ourselves and our desires. This is a closed space for trans men and transmasculine folx.

Neurodiversity and Disability in the Transgender Community: A community dialogue
Cris Rosales-Doi, UC Santa Cruz; Rajah Olivia Jones, Antioch University Los Angeles and CSUN Alum; Dan Vylette Maldonado, CSUN Alum and T-Fed: Trans Folks Fighting Eating Disorders; Rose Hatfield, UCLA and CSUN Alum and founder of the San Frenando Valley Community Library Project; Josiah A. Ramirez, Community Activist and Film maker
This workshop will explore the intersections of disability, chronic illness and neurodiversity within transgender communities. Included will be a zine focusing on creative resources and the experiences of disabled, neurodiverse and chronical ill transgender people; a short collaborative information session, followed by discussion questions for the panelists and audience.

PrEP & Medical Considerations for Transgender Health
Robert Fontanilla, Borrego Health, MSPAS, MPH, PA-C, AAHIVS
Studies show a high prevalence of HIV transmission among transgender women in the United States. This lecture will review PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), a medication that helps prevent HIV negative persons from becoming infected. The perspective is from a medical provider that treats many transgender people, as well as HIV. It will include the importance of PrEP use and common tests that are needed. It will be explained using everyday language so that everyone that attends will understand. It will include case studies and discussion points that can be used at your next patient-provider interaction at the place you receive healthcare.


Psychotherapy 101: A Q&A session about finding trans* affirming mental health care
Abi Weissman, Psy.D., Waves, A Psychological Corporation
Nina Grace Ruedas, LMFT, UC Riverside School of Medicine & Brandman University
At this session, you can ask questions to three trans* affirming mental health providers. Topics include: the mental health portion of the WPATH Standards of Care, how to find a trans* affirming therapist in your neighborhood, how to advocate for your needs, and your questions. You are worth finding good, supportive care.

“Raising Zoey” Film Screening
Affecting the lives of countless kids, teenagers and even adults, 13 year-old Zoey wants nothing more than to simply go to school, learn, have fun with friends and be a kid. Unfortunately, ignorance and intolerance have not always made this easy. Zoey, with the help of her mother and the ACLU, fought school officials for her right to self-identify in school. Even in the face of bullying and endless teasing from both school officials and students, Zoey determinedly continues to live her life as she is and tells her story in the hopes of helping others persevere in living their authentic lives.

Sexual Violence Affecting and Within the Trans Community
Addison Rose Vincent, Pride United Lead Advocate
Thali Rodrigues, MFT, Pride United Outreach Specialist
What happens when trans people experience sexual assault? What happens when perpetrators are trans community leaders? Sexual violence, abuse, and harassment affect our community in many different ways. Whether perpetrators are trans or cis, almost every survivor is silenced, vilified, and left without resources or justice. We hope to confront this taboo topic in a safe space by discussing and strategizing what accountability, justice, and healing looks like for our community.

Socially Engaged Queer & Trans Creative Projects
Timna Naim, Queer Arts Collective at UCLA
Creative expression exists in many forms and creators of creative projects have an irreplicable passion and uniqueness. How can we position queerness and trans identity as a creative project? Can this radical project be oriented towards engaging the people we connect to and maybe even those that we don't? We will be planning ways to bring individual art projects into community-based settings. Discussions will center around linking creative expression to queerness and gender identity, complicating dividing lines of identity politics, and locating the self as within different communal contexts.

Spiritual Reclamation: On the Borderlands of Faith and Ethnicity
Reyna Rousse, UC Riverside
Multi-ethnicity comes with unique and complex experiences of navigating gender identity, and spirituality. In the intersection of all three, our identities create greater questions of acceptance, pride, and faith. Through discussion, we will share contemporary perspectives in spirituality, explore and mend disconnections from heritage, and inspire methods of ritual and faith through the lens of intellectual sovereignty. Please note: This is a closed space for people who are multiracial of any gender or sexuality; and for people who self-identify as QTPOC.

Trans Care 911: Prehospital Emergency Care for Trans People
Keanan Gabriel Gottlieb, EMT-B, Pitzer College
Have you ever been concerned about having to call 911 for yourself or another trans person? Are you uncertain about what to expect from the EMTs or paramedics? This presentation is going to discuss what your rights are as a trans patient, what to expect from the EMTs, what EMTs are and are not allowed to do, and trans specific healthcare in an emergency context. Cis people will also learn what they can do to be an advocate for trans patients. This workshop is open to everyone.

Trans & Queer Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
Aian, UC Riverside; Cris Rosales-Doi, UC Santa Cruz; Landyn Pan, Chapman University
The API community is large and often doesn't uplift the voices of all identities. This space is for trans and queer API folx to heal, support and build community with one another. Different topics to discuss will focus on intersecting identities that we carry and how we navigate them; race, gender identity / expression, disability justice, sexuality, well-being, family, and more. This is a closed space for folx who self-identify as Trans &/or Queer Asian Pacific Islanders.

Trans & Queer Latinx/Chicanx Caucus
Brianna Sérráno, Cal Poly Pomona
This courageous space will allow us to share our individual and community needs and celebrate our strengths and mutual support. This is a closed space for folx who self-identify as Trans &/or Queer Latinx/Chicanx/Brown.

Transforming Eating Disorder Recovery: Education, Empowerment, Advocacy
Ethan Lopez, Jaden Fields
Trans-identified individuals suffer disproportionately (preliminary studies show we are at least four times more at risk) from eating disorders and body image issues. This workshop will present why Trans people are at risk for EDs, critique non-inclusive mainstream recovery and research, and discuss how we can empower our communities to heal. We will discuss coping strategies that promote healthy behavior modification and healing modules, develop support systems, and confront oppressive systems that perpetuate problematic norms.

What do we do now? Supporting a trans* person after a traumatic event
Erica Nicole Kirk, University of Southern California
How do we support trans* folks in the wake of a traumatic event? Universities and community organizations often have bias reporting structures that force survivors of harassment to re-tell their stories and re-live pain. Using a case-study from the University of Southern California, this discussion aims to create goals for supporting trans* people in affirming ways that promote healing and personal wellness.

What's the Quota when Questioning?
Jasmine Williams
Feeling like you are taking up space here? Maybe you know you aren't cis, or that your gender doesn't fit a binary, or have even just begun thinking about your "gender identity" under this new language. I welcome all attendees who are questioning their gender identity. Everyone’s journey is valid and in this workshop there will be a short writing activity were we reflect on what we were taught, what we internalized and how we understand our gender identities. There will be small group sharing and an open discussion during the workshop.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Trans Chorus of L.A. To Perform Friday at 3rd Asterisk Trans* Conference


The Trans Chorus of L.A. will perform at UC Riverside in HUB 302 at 8:30pm to open the 3rd Asterisk Trans* Conference. This event is free and open to all.

The Trans Chorus of Los Angeles is the largest group of trans, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and intersex people anywhere in the world who gather together regularly to create music. The mission of TCLA is to empower trans, gender non-conforming, and intersex people to discover, love and use their voices to increase visibility and raise awareness and understanding of trans issues.

The TCLA provides a safe space for anyone who believes TCLA is the chorus for them by allowing and encouraging trans and gender non-conforming people to express themselves fully through song. TCLA then performs publicly and changes the hearts and minds of cisgender people and the community at large.

Learn more at http://transchorusla.org