The Annual Gender Spectrum Conference and Professionals’ Symposium went Virtual
The Annual Gender Spectrum Conference and Professionals’ Symposium had its first online edition on July 16th-17th, 2020. It is the oldest and largest conference in the country exclusively for families with transgender, non-binary and gender-expansive children and youth. The Professionals’ Symposium is designed for individuals who serve youth and/or families and are looking for knowledge and skills to be more gender inclusive in their practice.
From the comfort of their own home via Zoom, this year’s event served a community of over 600 registered participants with 90 presenters and 40 introductory to advanced workshops across 11 disciplines. The variety of participants ranged from volunteers, physicians, therapists, school teachers, parents. The user friendly web-based registration and navigation platform allowed participants to filter what topics they wished to focus their continuing education on: Medicine, Parental Support, Mental Health, Understanding Gender, Self care, Faith, Education and specific focus on Community-based programs and Racial justice. Each participant was welcome to choose as many workshops to register for, yet one would realistically attend 3 hour-long workshops daily with a midday self care break. The gift of Zoom allowed for most workshops to be recorded and made available for all access ticket holders to consult for private use until November 2020.
Racial & Gender Justice activist keynotes speaker Joshua Obawole Allen kicked off the 2 day event with energy and enthusiasm. Back by popular demand were the Gender Identity, Body Image and Eating Disorders, Gender and Neurodiversity, Creating Gender Inclusive Schools, Exploring Medical and Mental Health Options for Non-binary Individual workshops. New to this year’s schedule: Multidisciplinary approach to Affirming Surgery, Understanding Gender Dysphoria, Unmasking Healthy Relationships, Gender Diversity in the Biology classroom, Restorative practices to heal Trauma, Assessing Sexual & Domestic violence in Rural communities, Centering QTBIPOC Youth's healing and Wellness, only to name a few. Beyond the workshop topic, most presenters also spoke through the lens of the pandemic and how it changes or exacerbates certain situations or increases the need for allyship. Midday Self Care break offered gentle Yoga, Meditation and Zine making. Closing the event and moving us forward, flexing our newfound knowledge was Kris Hayashi, executive director of the Transgender Law Center.
The diversity in gender identity, race, backgrounds and location of presenters and participants alike, allowed for rich conversations with a mosaic of allies to draw from and be inspired by. The depth, breadth and quality of the workshops provided each participant with knowledge and tools to move forward confidently to create a truly inclusive, safe and inviting space for gender expansive youth and their families to thrive in. Be on the lookout for next year's dates, likely announced in early 2021- this event is not to be missed.
About Gender Spectrum:
Founded in 2006, Gender Spectrum is an organization that works to create gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens. Their resources help families, organizations, professionals and institutions increase understandings of gender and consider the implications that evolving views have for each person.
Parents can use Gender Spectrum’s model Gender Support Plan when approaching school districts to navigate their child’s gender transition at school. The Gender Support Plan “is a detailed form to help you create a shared understanding among school staff, parents, and a student about the ways in which the student’s authentic gender will be accounted for and supported at school.”
VISIT THEM ONLINE HERE