The Newsletter [[link removed]]
Dear John,
Trans Awareness Month was first celebrated in November 2017, built around honoring and raising awareness about the transgender community, its history, and ongoing fight for full freedom and protections under the law.
You can support the trans people in your life by speaking up when you hear anti-trans rhetoric, showing up to action events, and voting for candidates who uplift and seek to protect trans voices. Trans people have always existed, and always will!
This year we're excited to host the 2024 Transgender Information & Empowerment Summit [[link removed]] (TIES) on November 16th during Transgender Awareness Week (November 13-19th). Trans Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the trans community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the community.
At TIES, attendees have the opportunity to engage in interactive workshops, and participate in insightful discussions. The event will offer valuable networking opportunities, where you can connect with advocates, community leaders, and peers from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, TIES offers free clinics focused on areas like legal assistance, healthcare access, and community advocacy.
REGISTER FOR TIES [[link removed]]
Here's a small preview of some of the dynamic workshops and discussions at TIES:
The State of Gender Affirming Healthcare in Virginia
In this discussion and Q&A session, a diverse panel consisting of experts from advocacy groups, healthcare, mental health, and legal fields share insights on gender affirming care, access at the state level, and what is impacting access. Topics will include: Legislative & Legal Landscape, Accessing & Navigating Gender Affirming Care In Virginia, and Available Support To Prospective & Current Patients
Trans Resilience in the Classroom: The 2023 Model Policies
This workshop led by community leaders and LGBTQ+ advocates, provides an overview of the 2023 anti-trans model policies and their impact on students, parents and educators as well as highlighting 2-3 examples of school board advocacy, emphasizing lessons learned and how to advocate in your school district.
Supporting Your Client Throughout Their Mental Health Journey- Roles of both LGBTQ+ and Allied Therapists For Best Practice
Cultivating rapport and trust is essential to supporting patients and clients. Join therapists Julie Wilcox, LCSW and Melissa-Irene Jackson, LCSW for a discussion on best practices to provide the best care to clients. Attendees will leave the workshop with a better understanding of how to approach clients with a trauma informed practice, understanding the deficit that this population walks in the door with, and are able to identify ways to educate themselves and participate in the LGBTQ+ community beyond the therapy office.
Healthcare in Later Life: Lessons Learned from Trans Older Adults
Healthcare in Later Life: Lessons Learned from Trans Older Adults is a workshop that provides information and resources on selected healthcare topics relevant to transgender and gender-diverse (trans) adults in later life. The workshop features stories of healthcare experiences from interviews with trans older adults during the research study Shaping Affirming Futures with Elders of all gender experiences (SAFE-age).
REGISTER FOR TIES [[link removed]]
TIES is also an opportunity for community care and wellness and we're excited to offer an Empowerment Hour with hair consultations, scalp massage/energy work, acupuncture, life/career coaching and a clothing swap!
We can’t wait to see you at TIES and celebrate our collective power. Whether you’re attending for the first time or have been with us in the past, your presence makes a huge difference!
Feel free to contact us at [email protected] [[email protected]] if you have any questions.
In community,
Equality Virginia
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Equality Virginia
530 East Main Street
Suite 600
Richmond, VA 23219
United States
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