2015 was heralded as the transgender tipping point, but it was a record-breaking year for violence and murders of trans women of color. Does celebrity make us safer? We will examine the role of visibility in movement building, the fight for civil rights, and achieving social justice.

HIV prevention and treatment are changing rapidly. Factors that drive the spread of the virus are as complex as our relationships, our cultures, and power itself. Why are HIV rates so high in trans communities? What is being done to help? What policies need to change?

The US plays a singular role in world politics today. From Ukraine to Mexico, people all over are crossing the border driven by fear, desperation, and hope. We will deconstruct xenophobia and the model immigrant myth while developing a deeper understanding of the relationships between LGBTQ bodies, borders, and crises.

1 in 4 Zoomers (Gen Z) are LGBTQ+ and 20% are nonbinary. Using my own journey as a jumping-off point, I’ll share how the growing nonbinary community is challenging the way society thinks about LGBTQ+ advocacy, law, and community. Finally, I’ll offer insights into how you can prepare for and support nonbinary folks in your professional and personal life.

Many trans folks have conflicted relationships with our families of origin. There are often layers of trauma, misunderstanding, and frustration. Some choose to craft chosen families of our own design. How much should we change for our families and how much can we expect them to change for us? In this interactive workshop, we share personal experiences and strategize about how to navigate the complexity of family in order to build a network of supportive relationships that will nourish us.