LOS ANGELES, Calif. – After more than 15 years of conference production for the transgender community and professionals of all fields who work with trans youth and adults, Gender Diversity is bringing its highly successful Gender Odyssey conference to Los Angeles June 28 and 29.
Gender Odyssey/Los Angeles is a two-day conference for professionals seeking to advance their understanding of gender diversity and transgender identities in children, teens, and adults. As visibility for trans communities increases and legislative attacks as well as a serious climate of discrimination and prejudice persist, GoPro Los Angeles could not be more timely. Leading experts will offer sessions covering gender identity across the lifespan and life experience. Programming is targeted toward medical and behavioral health care providers, teachers and school administrators, social workers, care givers, service providers, fiduciaries, guardians, attorneys, employers and recruiters, government employees, and students preparing for these professions. Continuing education credits in a number of career fields will be available. Professional credentials are not required to attend[CMW1] .
“We are thrilled to bring the Gender Odyssey professional track to Los Angeles,” said C. Michael Woodward, MPH, conference director for both the Los Angeles and Seattle conferences, “The need for forums(?) like GO Pro is only increasing as we see increased visibility for trans people. Professionals in every field are looking for the latest information and resources, and more and more children and adolescents coming out as trans and gender non-conforming/non-binary,” concluded Woodward.
Featured speakers and events will include:
- An evening networking mixer for professionals in attendance;
- Keynote by mom Michelle Honda-Phillips and grandfather Mike Honda (former US Rep from Hawaii), a family raising a transgender child
- A State of the Movement panel, featuring: Kris Hayashi, executive director of the Transgender Law Center; Bamby Salcedo, Latina transgender speaker and activist; Chandi Moore, trans health advocate and media personality; and additional speakers to be announced;
- Medical related presentations and discussions ranging from assessment of trans youth to “Trans Medical 101,” to the latest in medical research and practice;
- Workshops on a range of education-related issues including how to create welcoming school environment, trans-themed books for children and navigating anti-trans bias in school;
- A panel of teens, “Tales from the Front,” giving voice to the personal experiences of trans youth; and
- Several panels that address the diversity of trans communities, including Two Spirit culture, Latino, immigrant, elder and disabilities.
- Catered lunches, receptions, and networking opportunities
View the full schedule of sessions and panels here: http://www.genderodyssey.org/los-angeles/pro/
Reduced priced tickets are available for students/low income participants. Please visit the website for details.
