The 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

Welcome to the 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference Transcending Boundaries was created with the intent of gathering and forming alliances within the bisexual/pansexual, trans/genderqueer, intersex, polyamorous and allied communities, but we have grown to be so much more. We are now an open forum for anyone who has an interest, opinion, or position to gather, network, and learn from each other. This conference is designed to increase understanding, build solidarity, and encourage activism among our communities. Transcending Boundaries has a history of creating welcoming, stimulating environments. This is a great place to feel at home being yourself, even if you don’t fit into a nice, neat box of sexuality, gender or relationships. It is also an opportunity to meet interesting, friendly people and learn from each other! We urge you to take this unique and powerful opportunity to learn about other communities outside your own. We also encourage you to take the time to connect with yourself within this safe space. The organizers of this conference want everyone to experience the freedom to be themselves. As such, please be considerate of other people’s differences and patient with anyone who might mistakenly offend. After all, part of building community is making mistakes and learning from them! Once again, the Transcending Boundaries Conference welcomes and thanks you for attending. Letter from the 2012 Transcending Boundaries Chairperson Welcome to the 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference. We are proud to have Ignacio Rivera as our Keynote speaker this year as we not only continue to explore how we collaborate and join the vioces of our communities together, but also how we balance our sexuality, our gender and other facets of our identity across our relationships. In other words, how do we “Bring It All Together”. We have made some efforts to facilitate more discussions this year, so we have made changes to how we do our panels and our new continuing discussions. The panels this year are designed to be topics that are important to all of us, then have speakers to offer different perspectives from different communitees. Additionally, in the Ballroom, we have designated tables to continue the discussions, questions, and perspectives of every workshop past the allotted time. Then there is you. This is your conference. A time and place where your voice can be heard in the creation of a world for all of us. Please take time to tell me your story and enrich my experience.. I hope we can use this time to learn from and enjoy each other. Thank you for inviting me to your conference. ~~~ Ian Cooper Rose Bulletin Board Confidentiality Other needs: If you have any specific In an effort to ensure the safety and pri- accessibilty requests that you did not in- vacy of all conference participants, eve- dicate on your registration form, please ryone must adhere to the following rules let us know so that we can try to accom- and guidelines: modate you. We strive to have this con- No photographs, video or audio reference be accessible to as many people cordings are permitted without express as possible, and we will do everything permission of all involved. feasible to allow you to participate fully. Do not give away or sell names, contact Please Be Advised information, and other personal or iden- Transcending Boundaries will have of- tifiable information of persons involved ficial photographers documenting this or participating in the conference without year’s event. Photographs will be used their express written consent. for promotion on the Transcending Boundaries website. If you do not wish Personal stories and information dis- to appear in these photos, please get a closed during workshops and informal bracelet from the information desk. gatherings are considered confidential. Respect the privacy of others. Any Evaluations press or media MUST REGISTER Please help us continue to improve the PRIOR to the conference. Transcending Boundaries Conference by No interviews are allowed at the confer- filling out an evaluation form for both the ence. Any press must be arranged with conference as a whole and the presenta- the organizers. tions you attend. You will find the evaluation forms at the info desk and in each We reserve the right to ask you to leave conference room. Please return finished if you are violating our rules or are forms to the box labeled “Evaluations” making the conference an unsafe place. located at the information table. Thanks Bathrooms for your cooperation and your ideas. Our All bathrooms will be available to all contact e-mail is feedback@transcend- genders and bodies. ingboundaries.org. You can also also fillout workshop and conference forms on Accessibility the transcendingboundaries.org web site Physical accessibility: The MassMutual Call for Staff Center and Sheraton Springfield Mon- arch Place Hotel are both wheelchair- The next Transcending Boundaries can’t accessible and are fitted with elevators happen without you! If you are inter- throughout the facility. The parking ga- ested in being a part of next year’s con- rage across from the hotel and MMC are ference team, please e-mail us at info@ equipped with handicapped parking spots transcendingboundaries.org. We would and elevators. love to have your assistance! Panels Do you see a panel you’re interested in Cover Art sitting on yourself? Check the registra- A very special thank you to artist tion table, where there will be sign up Katie Diamond for the wonderful sheet for additional panelists. Each panel will have time for questions from the au- cover art illustrating this year’s dience, and if you’re feeling shy, you can theme “Bringing It All Together” submit your question in advance at the registration table as well. History of Transcending Boundaries Transcending Boundaries grew out of a project of BiNet USA, a national bisexual organization. Throughout the 90’s, BiNet helped bisexual activists around the country organize on a local level. They sponsored regional conferences, including one in the Connecticut/New Jersey /New York Region. In 2000, BiNet replaced its regional focus with a more centralized organizational style. Those in attendance at the 2000 Tri-State Conference voted to continue the conference independently from BiNet USA and to hold the next year’s conference in New Haven, Connecticut. The organizing committee expanded the scope of the conference in two ways: widening the geographical reach to include the entire Northeastern United States, and including transgender and intersex issues as well as bisexual ones in the conference theme. The new name “Transcending Boundaries” reflected this expanded scope, as well as the fact that bisexuals, transgender persons, and intersex persons do not fit into the simple categories of gay/straight, man/ woman, and male/female. Transcending Boundaries, Inc. was founded in 2001 based on an expanded vision: a Northeast regional conference for bisexual, transgender, and intersex people and our allies. In 2009, this focus was expanded to include the polyamorous community as well. Transcending Boundaries has held five suc- cessful conferences between 2001 and 2006, teaming up with the Americas Conference on Bisexuality in 2005 and PFLAG Northeast in 2006. After a brief absence, Transcending Boundaries returned with renewed energy in 2009 featuring Tristan Taormino. In 2010, Lee Harrington helped us discuss the “Intersections” of gender, sexuality and reationships. Kate Bornstein taught us how to radically welcome a world “Beyond Binaries”. This year Ignacio Rivera will help us “Bring iIt All Together.

Plenary Luncheon Saturday at 12:00pm in the Ballroom It is important for us to share a meal together. Breaking bread is a our traditional way of building community and to celebrate our diverity while finding our common challenges to overcome together. Our Penary and Community Meeting is proud to present Ignacio Rivera as our keynote speaker this year. Talking about the challenges in our world that prevent us from “Bringing It All Together”. As always, we will give you a chance to speak out. We only have a couple of minutes per person, but it is a good chance to get the word out accross all of our communities and to let us know what is happening in your community. The Organizers 2012 Chairperson - Ian - Ian is proud to be part of the team that makes the Tran- scending Boundaries Conference happen, serving as the 2012 Conference Charperson. An artist and activist, he is focused on building a community of like minded people and professionals to live and create together. Bi, poly, and kinky, he lives with his three partners and their son in Springfield, MA.

Director of Content - Jenn - Jenn has played a number of roles in her life, both literally as she earned her BA in Drama from Ithaca College, and figuratively as she earned her MEd from University of New Hampshire. Her most important role is currently as the owned girl of Jawn. She has recently served as the Director of MAsT Mass (Mas- ters And slaves Together), a monthly discussion and support group for those interested in pursuing hierarchical relationships.

Director of Operations - Aimee - Aimee is thrilled to be serving as a Director of Operations for the 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference, and to continue her position as the Transcending Boundaries Treasurer. As a solo attorney practicing in Western Massachusetts, Aimee is a polyamorous, kink, and queer friendly professional who focuses on child welfare, domestic relations, and basic estate planning. She is a member of the bar in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. Aimee lives in Springfield, MA with her three partners, their son, 4 cats, and one tiny dog

Director of Communications - Julia - Julia is happy to be this 2012 Director of Com- munications. After a few very inspiring years attending TBC, Julia became one of the founders of the Five College Queer Gender and Sexuality Conference at Hampshire Col- lege, and then an official TBC organizer. Julia identifies primarily as a geek and gamer, but also as genderqueer, polyamorous (although Julia is currently in a monogamous relationship), pansexual, agnostic, kinky, bratty, and a switch. Julia is usually assumed to be a heterosexual, straight, cisgendered female, which has been a pretty big struggle for most of Julia’s life, and one of the reasons that TBC is so important to Julia. Julia encourages you to attend all of the awesome workshops this year, get to know many new people, and contribute whatever time or money you can to keep TBC going strong!.

Direcor of Membership - Sara - Sara (aka the leprechaun) is pleased to be promoted/ conned into being this year’s Membership Director. She identifies as queer and/or bisexual and/or a dyke depending on circumstances. She enjoys reading, politics, and MMORPGs. Sara has recently been thinking a lot about the intersection of faith and sexuality. Sara is still looking for a job in communications or environmental policy near either Western MA or D.C. People should ignore anyone telling them that Sara likes pink fluffy bunnies. Rainbows and unicorns are ok, though, shamrocks are far superior.

Director of Fund Raising - Micah - Micah is proud to have been part of the Tran- scending Boundaries staff for the last four years, the first three years as Director of Op- erations. A two-time graduate of UMass, he lives with his family of choice in Western Massachusetts. As a father, Micah asks you not to accidentally knock over the toddler you’ll see running around all weekend, and as the Director of Development, he wants to remind all of you to leave your spare change in the jar at Registration before you head home. The Organizers Mistress of Ceremonies - Lorelei - ��The super fabulous Lorelei Erisis is a transgender performer, writer, activist, adventurer and Pageant Queen. She received extensive training in improvisation and sketch comedy at the renowned Second City in Chicago and Los Angeles and has performed all across the country including as the Emcee of the Noho Pride Celebration! She is also a director,teacher and independent filmmaker. She is especially proud to have directed and performed with The Fully Functional Players in Los Angeles, the first and only all-transgender improv group in the country! In addition to her Second City training she has also studied at a number of other theater workshops and schools, including an apprenticeship in Pantomime and movement with Ryszard Choroszy, the assistant to and disciple of the great Polish artist Henryk Tomaszewski, the founder and director of the Wroclaw Mime Theatre. Follow her blog on The Web at: transprov.wordpress.com and watch out for her monthly column: “Ask A TransWoman” in The Rainbow Times!!! Slaínte!

Audio/Visual - Alex - Alex has been an organizer of Transcending Boundaries since 2009. She graduated from Skidmore (where she was active in the Pride Alliance) and the UConn School of Social Work, where she earned her MSW. She works as a substance abuse clinician with legally involved individuals in Waterbury, Connecticut. In her spare time, Alex is the youth group advisor at her synagogue, as well as a longtime professional ski instructor. Alex has long been fascinated by sexual expression and its intersections with spirituality and mental health. She hopes to use a future li- cense in Clinical Social Work to continue her work in sex education and mental health/ substance abuse treatment. She lives in Hartford with her cat.

Photographer - Jawn - Jawn is a photographer and musician from Worcester. He has been active in the BDSM community for over a decade. With His Doll is the leader of Reverend Reacharound, an irreverent folk-punk duo. They are also starting an LBGTQIK-friendly photography business, Jawniffer Photography, for event and portrait photography. Jawn can be found online at Jawnhenry.com, Jawniffer.com, ReverendReacharound.com and Heart-Shaped-Boy.com.

Writer - Melissa - Melissa Kaplan has been involved in gender and sexuality activism since her early teens. She joined TBC staff following an eye opening experience at the 2009 conference. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with a QUILTBAG/ poly/BDSM friendly private practice in northeast Massachusetts, and also works part time at a community mental health center. Melissa is grateful to the support of her friends and chosen family in her professional and personal life. She is owned by an abnormally large housecat.

Thank you! Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau http://www.valleyvisitor.com 8 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference Ignacio Rivera Ignacio Rivera is a Queer, gender into kink, called “Crossing” and the fluid, Trans- Entity, Black Boricua other is a short about gender called performance artist, currently “They” Both films have been shown performing skits, spoken word, at various film festivals across the one-person shows and story-telling country. internationally. Ignacio is a lecturer/ trainer, activist, new filmmaker, sex worker and self-proclaimed sex educator. As a lecturer/ trainer, Ignacio has spoken at home and abroad on such topics of racism, sexism, homo/ transphobia, transgender issues, trans 101, sexual liberation, anti- oppression, anti-violence, multi- issue organizing and more. Ignacio currently consultants with various organizations in New York City conducting professional development trainings for NYC high school staff. Ignacio is the founder of Poly Patao Productions. P3 is dedicated to producing sex-positive workshops, performance pieces, films, play parties, panel discussions, social/ political groups and educational As a sex worker Ignacio is a Pro- opportunities that are specially dom and is working in the adult geared toward queer women, film industry. They can be seen in transgender, multi-gender, gender- their debut performance in Pink queer, gender non-conforming and and White Productions, “In Search gender variant people of color. of The Wild Kingdom” and Morty Diomand’s “Trans Entity: The Nasty As a filmmaker Ignacio currently Love of Papi and Wil.” embarked on a film project, “Shades of Kink” a series of educational/ Ignacio is also one of the founding documentary style films around board member of Queers for inserting a racial/class/sexuality and Economic Justice, a progressive gender into the Kink world. Ignacio non-profit organization committed also has completed two experimental to promoting economic justice in shorts. Their first short is an adult a context of sexual and gender short about moving from normality liberation. 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 9 Workshops 1:00pm Friday consent from those we engage in any kind Room 1 of relationship with, kink or otherwise. Queerying Erotic Narratives oom Dakota Raynes R 3 In this hands-on writing workshop, we Bringing Us All Together?: will discuss erotic narratives as tools Implications for Changing Language for imagining the unimaginable. Dakota in the Print Media Discourse of Same- will draw on their own autoethnographic Sex Marriage From 2004-2012 writing and their Master’s thesis work Andrea M. Hackl, C. Reyn Boyer, M. Paz Galupo with transgender erotica. Participants Ever since Massachusetts became the will try out exercises designed to first state to legalize same-sex marriage in help highlight, negotiate, and disrupt 2004, the same-sex marriage movement hegemonic scripts in our own and others’ has made great strides throughout the erotic writing. We will also brainstorm country. Today, same-sex relationships ways to co-create a more queer erotic encounter heightened visibility in reality together through storytelling. the public sphere, making same-sex Please come with pen, paper, and a marriage a key political issue in the 2012 willingness to ask yourself questions! No presidential elections. The relationship writing experience required. ( and marriage experiences of bisexual 18+ only men and women, however, are still largely invisible both in society at large Room 2 and in the media. Significantly impacting Creating and Educating (Unlikely) Allies Dawn Fortune For many years, churches and religious AIMEE K. BOUCHARD leaders were viewed as oppressors and Attorney at Law persecutors of GLBT people, and in many cases, rightly so. As more and more GLBT faith communities begin to open up to Queer GLBT people, they need education and encouragement, even while we continue Poly to hold them accountable for their words Kinky and actions. Faith leaders, whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian Universalist, Pagan, or from some other tradition, respond to familiar language and may need what we’d call “remedial instruction,” around gender and sexuality issues. This workshop will lay out a basic format for educating church leaders – both professional clergy and lay- Massachusetts leaders. Reaching out to emerging allies Connecticut is difficult work and takes patience and temperance, but as the past decades have Child Welfare shown us, faith communities can sway Domestic Relations others beyond our reach to a position Basic Estate Planning of support, affirmation and advocacy. boundaries, negotiating our relationships www.aimeebouchard.com with others, and making sure to obtain 10 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

1:00pm Friday public opinion and cultural understanding political debate on same sex marriage and of sexual minorities, the media portrayal plays into stereotypes regarding sexual of bisexual men and women plays a minorities. Discussion will also focus on significant role in our understanding the broader implications of the findings of their relationships. The following for transcending boundaries across our comparative study analyzed the language various LGBT communities and will used to discuss same-sex marriage in make suggestions for how the discourse The New York Times between February around marriage equality could be used and May 2004 and 2012. In both years, for bringing us all together. same-sex marriage dominated the public discourse as presidential candidates made Room 5 it a key political issue to move voters. Panel Discussion: Consent, Specifically, we analyzed the usage of Negotiation, and Boundaries sexual orientation labels in relation to how Joshua Tenpenny, Avory Faucette, Barry they were used as 1) nouns or 2) adjectives & Cathy Smiler, James O’Deorain to modify a) marriage; b) couple/partner; Consent is an topic of heated discussion c) individuals; d) community; and e) nowadays in the kink community, but it’s acts. Results indicate that the language not just in that community that we need to used in The New York Times evolved to be aware of establishing our own personal a more inclusive and positive language, boundaries, negotiating our relationships with the discourse now centered around with others, and making sure to obtain same-sex marriage rather than gay and consent from those we engage in any kind lesbian marriage. However, marriage and of relationship with, kink or otherwise. relationship experiences of bisexual men As with all of our panel discussions this and women are still largely absent in the weekend, there will be an empty chair same-sex marriage discourse. Considered available for conference participants to a national opinion maker, discussion jump in and out of as they would like to will focus on how the language used in join in the discussion, pose a question, or The New York Times frames the larger make a point. 2:30pm Friday Room 1 in less than 10 minutes. In this workshop, long-time digital civil liberties activist Power, Privacy, and Privilege: and Internet privacy advocate maymay Internet Safety for Sexually Vocal will use scenario-based role-plays and, Laypeople with participant consent, a live demo, maymay to explain what you need to know to A social networking website isn’t the protect your privacy online – all in plain same as your favorite physical-world English. You’ll learn how to find and use hangout. That sounds pretty obvious, Internet privacy tools, evaluate social but sometimes it’s not. Many people, networks based on your personal needs, as philosopher and scholar Marshall and determine the riskiness of posting McLuhan noted, “approach the new different kinds of media online. Despite with the psychological conditioning and what you may have been lead to believe, sensory responses of the old.” Even after never posting personally identifiable making an effort to hide one’s identity information to the Internet isn’t a online, a huge amount of most people’s solution because what makes social personal information – such as legal networks valuable to users like us is just names, addresses, phone numbers, and such information. Come with questions, employment records – can be found leave with a solid understanding of the using trivial searches that anyone can do ins and outs of Internet safety. 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 11

2:30pm Friday for considering trans as a condition versus Room 2 trans as an identity. We’ll explore the Aging and Ageism relationship between cultural identity and J.M. Sorrell activism and tackle some tough questions Aging is something we all have in around autonomy in identity formation, common, and yet LGBT communities passing privilege, and community most often focus on youth. There are both building. additional challenges and gained wisdom oom for transgender older adults. We will R 5 explore intergenerational opportunities, Panel Discussion: Faith and and we will discuss guiding principles Spirituality and needs for transgender older adults David Serio, Raven Kaldera, Dawn both in the mainstream and in transgender Fortune, Sara Brosnan communities. Those of us who don’t necessarily “fit in” with mainstream culture can find things Room 3 even more uncomfortable as we look The Unintentional Closet: Queer to join an organized religious group or Identity in Hetero-presumptive follow our own spiritual path. How do Situations you follow a tradition that may teach that Winter Tashlin your identity is “wrong”? What successes It’s a straight world out there. What effect have you had within your own faith does it have on our identities as queer community of gaining acceptance and people when we are in situations where educating others? the people around us make assumptions Room C about our sexuality orientation or gender identity. Does it matter how the world Being That Person outside our doors perceives us, or can raycho we go through life knowing who we are We all know that person, and many of without that external validation? In this us have been that person. You know, the workshop we will commiserate, discuss one in the front row with their hand up, and strategize ways to live, work and play always reminding everyone about that in a our broader communities, while still group of people inadvertently (we hope) staying true to ourselves and maintaining left out? This discussion is for all of us the crucial balance between being out and who are “that person”, the one always getting ourselves in trouble. bringing up access issues, gender issues, race issues, whatever – we’ve got issues! Room 4 At least the people who always wind up with our hands in their faces might think Deafhood, Transhood: Cultural so. We’ll discuss what it’s like to be “that Identity and Activism person”. Do we get taken seriously, or Avory Faucette dismissed as just having a pet cause? Do What does it mean to be trans as a we become the point person on an issue, cultural identity? Why do some people or do we get treated like Exhibit A? Do retain a trans identity and others grow out our voices help to gather others like us of it? What impact do these differences and allies, or do we get singled out? How in the experience of cultural identity does being “that person” affect us and have on activism and advancing trans our identities? Are we a positive force for rights? In this workshop, participants change? And most importantly, where are will learn about the idea of Deafhood and we all going on our day off - or will we some basics of Deaf culture as a model ever get one? 12 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

4:00pm Friday

Room 1 Room 4 Islam and Homosexuality Transitioning with a Third Gender Dave Serio Identity Very little is known about Islam, especially Raven Kaldera and Joshua Tenpenny when it comes to homosexuality. I use Let’s think clearly about what physical exegetical methods of looking at verses transition means when it intersects with in the Qur’an to offer a perspective identity. Wondering whether to physically of how Islam does not condemn transition but held back because you don’t homosexuality, using the story of Lot as a have a solidly male or female identity? prime example. I also talk about different That doesn’t have to be a barrier. Let’s talk reactions from homosexual Muslims and about the ambivalencies of shapeshifting attitudes towards homosexuality in the your flesh when your identity is all over Islam world. the place. Come with questions!

Room 5 Room 2 Isms & Phobias: Informing or Ignoring Panel Discussion: Living Multiple the Ignorant Lives: Holding Different/Conflicting Jennie Steinberg Identities This interactive workshop will feature an Dawn Fortune, Melissa Kaplan, Jawn’s Doll audience-participation discussion about Everyone holds multiple identities, and ways to respond when you encounter sometimes it is stressful to identity with homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, two groups that don’t agree with each polyphobia, heterosexism, sexism, other. You can feel like a superhero with racism, ableism, and other forms of a secret identity, but without the super ignorance. Participants will have the powers. How do you move within these opportunity to share their experiences different groups, while holding and and thoughts, and helpful tips will be honoring your true self? provided. Room C Room 3 Queering Role in BDSM Play Kristen Stubbs, Ph.D. and Matt How to Create Intimacy with Anyone: The idea of breaking binaries around Talk and Workshop James O’Deorain gender and sexuality can be very This will begin with an informative talk empowering. In this session, we look at explaining methods for creating intimacy queering identity in the context of BDSM: – some that don’t work well as well as ten “kinky vs. vanilla”, “Dom vs. sub vs. that are useful. The talk will be followed switch”, and “top vs. bottom vs. switch” by a workshop: we’ll practice some of are all categories that we can reimagine. the methods explained. You can leave We’ll discuss the concept of a “rolequeer” after the talk if you’re not comfortable identity and have a group brainstorming practicing with strangers, but you cannot session about how to subvert norms and stay and watch. rewrite traditional BDSM roles in our play. 18+ only 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 13

9:30am Saturday

Room 1 Room 4 Know Your Rights & The State of Bisexuals Making Mixed Orientation Trans Equal Rights Movement Marriages and Relationships Gunner Scott Fabulous Do you have the right to be served in Mark Rheault a restaurant, rent a hotel room, or be Mixed orientation marriages and treated at an emergency room? Can your relationships where one partner is employer not promote you because you bisexual and the other heterosexual often transitioned on the job? Transgender contain complex relationship dynamics. communities deal with a myriad of issues This workshop will review the issues created by flawed policies, ignorance, and challenges bisexuals face in our and the binary gender system. This relationships with our partners, family, workshop will provide a summary of and friends with an emphasis on positive the legal protections afforded to cross outcomes. Mixed orientation marriages dressers, transgender, transsexual, and and relationships provide tremendous genderqueer people at the local, state opportunities for personal happiness and and federal levels. We’ll also consider growth when approached with the proper the work that still needs to be done, attitudes. This workshop will include an and discuss the ways in which ongoing opportunity for participants to share their education and policy efforts are essential strategies for success as we can all benefit to making sure that positive laws and from the stories and experiences of others. policies make a real difference in peoples’ Participants of all sexual orientations will lives. come away with a better understanding of mixed orientation marriages and relationships and the many ways we can Room 2 make them fabulous relationships. 5 Common Mistakes Made by Well- Room 5 Meaning Allies Jennie Steinberg and Rebecca Papadinis Panel Discussion: Differ-Sexuality: We allies mean so well, but everyone My Life as a _____Sexual makes mistakes. Come learn from two raycho, maymay, David aka SwitchMe queer-affirmative therapists about some Sexuality can be defined in many common faux pas and what you can do different ways, and different orientations to avoid them. present different challenges. All along this spectrum, however, are joys and challenges we can all relate to. Share Room 3 your identity, how you define it, what Protecting LGBT Elders makes it great, and what you wish other Angie Perone people would know about you. LGBT and gender non-conforming elders and older adults face numerous barriers Room C to asserting their legal rights. We face Transcending Language - A Poetry additional hurdles when our families Workshop! of choice begin to age with us. This Lori Desrosiers workshop will address how to navigate This is a short but fabulous writing some of these legal obstacles and workshop, finding some time for each engage in a facilitated discussion on of us to write a poem inspired by the intergenerational support. themes of the Transcending Boundaries 14 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

9:30am Saturday Conference. Lori Desrosiers is a anthology of poems about polyamory, published poet who also edits a poetry and has a book coming out in the Spring journal. She is currently working on an from Salmon Poetry.

11:00am Saturday will cover key ideas in trans feminism, Room 1 including the history of transphobia within Connect, Accept, Respond, Empower: feminism, the problem of trans-misogyny, Supporting LGBTQ Youth and historical and contemporary Wes Nemenz controversies such as women-only This interactive workshop will provide an space, “radfem” attacks on trans women, overview of suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning and diverse trans-feminine sexualities. (LGBTQ) youth and the different We will also contextualize transgender environmental stressors that contribute feminism within sex-positive, third-wave to their heightened risk for suicide. After feminism, post-modern queer theory, sex reviewing current research, there will worker rights and intersectional theory be an emphasis on best practices and and activism. Come add you voice to practical steps that service providers, the dialogue and help move feminism to educators, and LGBTQ non-profit embrace trans, genderqueer and gender professionals can take to promote a nonconforming communities! positive environment for all youth. In addition the workshop will discuss best Room 4 practices regarding the discussion of Metamour Intensive suicide, bullying and related topics with Rebecca Crane a focus on keeping youth safe. As polyamorous folks, we talk a good Room 2 game about our relationships with our “metamours”: people with whom we have Changing the Playbook – Negotiating a partner or partners in common. For many Asexual/Sexual Relationships of us, a cornerstone of our polyamory is Kristen Stubbs, Ph.D. and Matt having caring, appreciative, and mutually- What does it mean for an asexual supportive metamourships. But poly person and a sexual person to start communities don’t talk much about a relationship? Kristen (pansexual) HOW we develop and maintain these and Matt (asexual) share some of relationships. Meanwhile, mainstream their experiences and lessons learned, culture tells us that our lover’s other including understanding what (a) lover is someone we should dislike and sexuality and physical intimacy mean for distrust. How do we make the leap from them; exploring the dynamics of physical, “threat” to “family member”? How do emotional, and romantic connections; and we stay connected to our metamours communicating desires and boundaries. when relationship troubles hit? Why do Room 3 metamour relationships even matter? In this hour-long Metamour Intensive, Transgender Feminism 101 we’ll dig deep into the nature of having Dr. Joelle Ruby Ryan and being a metamour. Drawing on the This workshop will give an overview challenging work of Franklin Veaux, of what is meant by trans feminism and maymay, and David Jay, we’ll discuss why it matters. The opening presentation what metamour relationships are and 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 15

11:00am Saturday WHY we don’t talk about them enough; Room C share concrete strategies for building and facilitating healthy, fulfilling, stable Double Edge: BDSM and metamour relationships; and untangle how Transgender normative cultural programming gets in Raven Kaldera and Joshua Tenpenny our way. By the end, you will understand From the man or woman who cross- why strong metamour-relating skills are dresses for the first time as part of a important not just to polyamory but for BDSM scene, to the transsexual who is social justice work as a whole. trying to figure out which play parties they can attend, being transgendered in Room 5 the BDSM scene is both a blessing and a challenge. At the same time, a remarkably Panel Discussion: What’s Next? high percentage of transgendered people Aging in the Queer Community Robyn Ochs, Angie Perone, Barry & identify with leathersex – why? We’ll Cathy Smiler, Ian Cooper Rose discuss how BDSM roleplaying lends One thing we all have in common: we’re itself to gender play, struggle with the all getting older. But we don’t always political implications of being gender talk about the unique challenges and transgressive perverts, talk about what opportunities that come with getting older happens to D/s roles when people change in the queer community. How will your gender roles, and remind folks of what we transgendered body change again? How have to teach the larger community. For can you ensure your same-sex loved one transgendered folks of all stripes, their will be protected if one of you is sick? partners, friends and allies, and anyone And how can you include your entire who’s curious about the intersection of poly family in the difficult and emotional kink, power exchange, and the gender decisions that need to be made? spectrum. 18+ only. 2:30pm Saturday your own life your own way. By reframing Room 1 polyamory to highlight this classic Polyamory As Self-Determination American ideal, we: tap into a solid Barry and Cathy Smiler positive mindset about all this; avoid the Polyamory isn’t about how many distracting question of sex and who does relationships are active at any moment, what with who (because in this framing and not at all about sex. Rather, it’s about it has no bearing); and create openings knowing that each person has the right to connect with other movements to choose whatever sexual/relationship dealing with self-determination issues structure works best for that person (in in their own communities. All this helps honest communication with all other create broader, less charged, and more stakeholders). So polyamory is really productive conversations. about self-determination: the right to live your own life your own way. But so are Room 2 lots of things. Women’s rights, LGBT Asexuals are Queer, Too! struggles, issues around race and class, Dr. Joelle Ruby Ryan and much more. Thus, “there’s no such Are asexuals queer? What is the place of thing as polyamory.” That is, polyamory asexy folks within the wider LGBTQ+ isn’t a separate thing, but rather an Community? Is combating acephobia a example or special case of something priority within the queer movement? If much larger: self-determination, living these questions intrigue you, please 16 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

2:30pm Saturday come to add your voice to a rousing discussion of asexuality within the queer Room 5 community! The goal of the workshop is Panel Discussion: Building Long-Term to increase understanding of asexuality, Relationships facilitate a safe space for ace folks and our Kelli Dunham, Gunner Scott, Jennie allies, and brainstorm ways to promote Steinberg ace visibility and education in the queer The beginning days, weeks, months, community. How can we work together and years of a relationship are full of to build a queer community that is truly the excitement of firsts. How do you ace-inclusive and affirming? We will keep that excitement going as you hit the also focus on how asexuals contribute to thirds, sevenths, or fifteenths? Being in a vibrant queer identity and culture and a long-term relationship may require a ways that asexual human rights benefit all of society, pushing us to re-think notions different set of communication skills than of sexuality, kinship and relationships. in the beginning, and we’ll talk about keeping the thrill alive as you build your Room 3 relationship through the years. My Naked Self The 20% Theatre Company: Claire Room C Avitabile, Anthony Neuman, Katie Reclaiming Power-Over Burgess, Puck Matz, and Nicole Wilder Raven Kaldera and Joshua Tenpenny My Naked Self is an introductory workshop The general view of power dynamic for anyone interested in exploring their relationships‚ meaning relationships gender identity, sexuality, body/self-image where both parties carefully negotiate and/or awareness through guided writing one person having a certain amount of exercises, improvisational movement, and power and authority over the other‚ is that encouraged sharing or performance. This it is politically incorrect, and probably workshop is a challenging, inspirational only done by people with psychological and examination of who others think we are, who we think we are, and damage. Comparisons are made to the the not-so-simple truth: who we are. No unhealthy power dynamics of “traditional” theatre or writing experience necessary! marriages and nonconsensual slavery. 18+ only However, many modern practitioners of Dominant/submissive, Master/slave, Room 4 and Owner/property relationships are Beyond Binaries: Identity and Sexuality politically aware people who are turning Robyn Ochs the past on its head and creating a whole How do we decide what – if any – label new form of power dynamic‚ one that has to attach to our complicated and unique the possibility of making society itself sexualities? What labels are out there, and a healthier place for all relationships. what do they mean? In this interactive and eye-opening program, we’ll be exploring Raven and Joshua will discuss how the landscape of identity, the complexity mindful power dynamic relationships can of attraction, and more. And we’ll be actually be quite radically subversive to doing an eye-opening anonymous survey the political status quo; and how to build of ourselves and looking at the results! one, how to explain one to your radical Come find out how we identify, where we friends, and how to understand one if it’s fall on the sexuality spectrum, and just not your thing. monogamous and how kinky we are… 18+ only 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 17

4:00pm Saturday gender using the techniques and tools of Room 1 improvisational acting. Participants will EMERGENCY! Planning for have the chance to stretch their legs, open Unplanned Healthcare their minds and get up on their own feet to Kelli Dunham learn some basic games and exercises. No The LGBT, genderqueer, kink, polyamorous and other communities traditionally improv or acting experience is necessary underserved by our health care systems are (though experienced performers are often particularly – and understandably – welcome too!), just the willingness to wary of seeking emergency care, even when try something new and have a little care is badly needed. In this interactive fun. Come ready to play!!!! workshop, genderqueer nurse and comic Kelli Dunham walks participants through Room 4 a visit to the emergency room, presenting Bisexuality 101 & Beyond information about general ER infrastructure Robyn Ochs and leads participants in brainstorming and What is bisexuality? What does it mean role playing ways in which they can be to identify as bisexual? What are some empowered to facilitate relatively positive of the challenges to understanding endings to various ER scenarios. Also and representing this often overlooked included will be a discussion of picking segment of the LGBT community? an ER buddy and developing a written ER Please join us for a lively presentation plan. by award-winning speaker, writer and Room 2 educator Robyn Ochs. Bring your own The Politics of Sex: Intimacy Power list of myths: we’ll analyze them a bit and and Control explore their origins. Ignacio Rivera oom This workshop will discuss the ways R 5 in which we are taught about sex and Panel Discussion: Reflecting Our how rigged it is. We will discuss the Experiences in Art dominant-culture model of sex, love and Claire Avitable & Nicole Wilder (20% relationships. We will examine how to Theatre Company), Lori Derosiers, kd break those ideas down and expand how diamond we are intimate with one another. This The arts can be a powerful tool for workshop will also go into intentionality, education, building alliances, and sharing negotiation and safety. our experiences. Join some of our artistic professionals as they share how they use Room 3 their talents to build awareness of our Gender Improv 1 communities and share their many varied Lorelei Erisis experiences. And if you feel inspired, Second City trained improviser and “Miss share your own experiences afterwards at Trans New England” Lorelei Erisis will our open art space! As with all of our panel share and discuss insights about gender discussions this weekend, there will be as well as the basics of improv and an empty chair available for conference how it can be used to enrich your own participants to jump in and out of as they relationships and personal presentation. would like to join in the discussion, pose This is a hands-on workshop that will a question, or make a point. explore the performative aspects of 18 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

4:00pm Saturday

Room C plan to discuss how the act of submission can be an expression of choice and an The Feminist Submissive: Reconciling example of “enthusiastic consent” that has the Conflict been made possible by feminism. The role Coyote Too and Zhiva Zhenska of D/s in dismantling rape culture will be Internal and societal conflicts. How does touched upon, as well as the importance one reconcile the desire to submit with of intentionality and negotiation in feminist ideals? How can a relationship developing relationship dynamics. We will based on inequality stand up to modern discuss what power exchange really means egalitarian models? How can we, as in a relationship and how a submissive submissive women, reconcile our desire holds power within the exchange, how for submission with our awareness of the D/s relationships compare to traditional hard-won battles and ongoing struggle and progressive relationships, and of feminism? How too, does a male why “different” does not have to mean Dominant manage his own conflicts and “unequal” in any relationship. dominate without guilt? In this talk we 18+ only

5:30pm Saturday with a queer, feminist, anti-racist mission Room 1 and a focus on illustration and high art! Laughter is a Revolutionary Katie will walk through the various trials Gesture: Humor as Self-Care and tribulations she encounters creating Kelli Dunham and running SALACIOUS, and take The nature of our work as intersectional questions on the process. activists is intense and that, combined 18+ only with passion, can sometimes contribute to depression and burnout as well as a single Room 3 focus on movement work that is neither Deviant Bodies: Intersections in Body healthy for us as individuals nor effective. Policing for Fat Folx and Trans* Folx Yet there is a notable historical precedent Dakota Raynes and Rebecca Crane for intersectional activism using humor Chasers. Surgery. Invasive questions about as both a strategy in communication our bodies. Never finding clothes that fit. and a tool for personal empowerment. Assumptions, assumptions, assumptions. This workshop explores how we can In this facilitated round-table discussion, reclaim humor and use it to relieve stress, we’ll explore similarities, differences and communicate better, subvert the rigid intersections between ways that fat bodies gender binary and build resilience. You and trans* & gender non-conforming don’t have to consider yourself “a funny bodies are policed in our culture – and person” to participate in this workshop. we’ll look at how these intersections play It’s about discovering our own unique out in intimate relationships between sense of humor. We’ll have fun and NO individuals who are fat and/or trans*. ONE will make you wear a clown nose, Dakota is a genderqueer trans* person with thin privilege. Rebecca is an promise. inbetweenie fat person with cis privilege. Room 2 We’ll share thoughts and stories from our own relationship journey together and SALACIOUS Magazine: The Beginning insights from conversations with other kd diamond fat and trans* friends. We invite everyone Starting up a magazine is difficult enough with related experiences to join us for – imagine starting up a smut magazine a conversation on working together, 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 19

5:30pm Saturday staying conscious, and supporting and and share their own strategies for getting celebrating each others “deviant” bodies involved. And don’t forget to vote! As and histories. with all of our panel discussions this weekend, there will be an empty chair Room 4 available for conference participants to Lost in the Law? Legal Rights for jump in and out of as they would like to Bisexual and Gender or Sexually join in the discussion, pose a question, or Fluid Persons make a point. Angie Perone Courts have historically denied legal Room C rights of bisexual and gender or sexually Communication for Dating and fluid individuals. However, the legal Scoring landscape is changing. This workshop Winter Tashlin will address various ways to protect “Hey you, wanna play?” Sure there are bisexual and gender or sexually fluid times and places where that might work persons. We will conclude with a just fine, but it’s not for everywhere or facilitated discussion about creative ways everyone. Maybe you aren’t the type to to push the courts further (including non- walk up to someone and proposition them legal options). that way. Or maybe you are, but you can’t Room 5 quite figure out how to approach your partner(s) about trying out something Panel Discussion: Affecting Public totally new. Perhaps you’re even someone Policy: Elections and Beyond in a long term relationship that’s gotten Avory Faucette, Barry and Cathy Smiler, sexually stale who can’t find the right way Lorelei Erisis, Sara Brosnan to say “you know, I miss banging you on Did you know there’s an election next a regular basis, what can we do about it?” week? Obviously, election season is a If any of these sound familiar, join us to time when it’s easy to get involved in talk about strategies and communication shaping public policy, but there’s also for dating and scoring. Both in person so much work to be done the rest of the and on-line situations will be discussed year. Our panel participants will share in the class. their experiences in the political process, 18+ only

10:00am Sunday through the walls until the day we tear Room 1 them down. This workshop will provide The United States Prison System - an overview of the US penal system, the Tearing Us All Apart specific impacts it has on LGBTQ people, Black and Pink - Jason Lydon and give tools for moving forward in the The United States Prison Industrial movement towards abolition. Complex functions as a form of oppression in our world. LGBTQ people Room 2 are disproportionately impacted by the One Body: Two Spirits – Native violence of the police, judges, prosecutors, American Honoring of Multiple and prisons themselves. LGBTQ people of Gender Traditions color are direct targets of this violence. In Spence PeaceMaker Waya (Wolf) Crier Carver order for us to all come together, we Of over 400 distinct indigenous Nations must deal with the realities of the US in North America, 155 have documented punishment system and build community multiple gender traditions (Pruden & 20 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

10:00am Sunday Hoskins, 2006). Two Spirit, a translation Room 4 of Ojibwe (Chippewa) term, “indicates a person whose body simultaneously Reconnect your Pleasure Path houses a masculine spirit and a feminine David, aka SwitchMe spirit” (Wikipedia). Before we were Our deepest inner selves are often a considered sinful we were healers. tangle of confusion and fear. Much of Before we were dangerous, we were a who we are as human beings is wrapped blessing. Participants will learn the First up in our sexuality, and in this place we Nation tradition of honoring Two Spirits, often find a deep pleasure. For too many to apply in their communities. of us, however, that path to pleasure has been broken by abuse or neglect. It may Room 3 be overt, tinged with violence, or it may Queer: One Word, Many Meanings be more covert and hidden. No matter Kelly Kroehle, Evan Thornburg, Kemar how we look at it, a vital part of who we Jewel, and DeAngelo Cameron of The are is broken. This workshop draws on Attic Youth Center my experience with the work of Dr. Betty That’s queer. You’re a queer. LGBTQueer. Martin. Here we will gently reintroduce We’re here; we’re queer. Queer the notions of pleasure and how we community. We know this term has might learn to give and receive, take and power both constructive and harmful, accept. We will have a discussion about and we wish to use it with intention. This these concepts, followed by a series of discussion will ask participants to consider careful, gentle exercises that are designed “What is Queer?” by showcasing the to help us re-open that broken path. The distinct narratives of four queer-identified prices of relearning this is centered not on individuals from The Attic Youth Center sexuality, but the simple act of learning to in Philadelphia and how they relate to the receive and to fully accept simple pleasure term. With perspectives ranging from first- from ourselves and from others. None of generation Caribbean-American to raised the activities are sexual in nature. This workshop is not about sex at all, but is in the Baptist church to Butler-loving about how we can learn to accept ourselves theorist to raised by two gay dads, we just as we are, along with the ability to share this term but not necessarily much experience pleasure. This workshop is else. Topics covered in this facilitated designed for survivors of abuse of any discussion will include: schisms of gender, sort, and will deal with topics that may age, race, and class found among queer- be challenging emotionally. There will identified individuals; whether “umbrella be no late admittance after a 5 minute term” is an appropriate label for queer; introduction. No participants will be experiences residing in communities required to do anything. where queer has not been reclaimed; queer as a political, normativity-challenging Room 5 stance versus a practical behavioral Panel Discussion: Coming Out/Living Out label; if queer fits in LGBTQ; whether Kristen Stubbs, Mark Rheault, James or not queer is, can, or should be distinct O’Deorain, raycho from a “queer studies”; and various other Coming out can be a stressful, exciting time, points of dissent and agreement. Looking and after that comes the freedom of living forward, we will ask the audience to assist as your true self. This discussion is a chance us in querying strategies toward a dynamic for you and our panelists to share their own queer community that effectively retains an coming out stories and strategies, and talk emphasis on person-specific experiences. about what happened next. Share the good, 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 21

10:00am Sunday the bad, and the ugly parts of living “out”. feminism and genderfuck? Burlesque has out of as they would like to join in the its roots in thumbing ones nose at gender discussion, pose a question, or make a point. roles. Burlesque performers regularly take their clothes off on stage but the acts Room C are considered “empowering” rather than Burlesque & Gender demeaning. How does this work? Come Eddie Paradise with members of Happy to this panel with your questions and Hour Burlesque curiosity. What is burlesque? How does it mesh with

12:30pm Sunday

Room 2 Room 3 Marriage Is Not The Movement: Two Lifeguard Workshop Young Trans/Queer Activists Talk Wes Nemenz Strategy The Lifeguard Workshop is a structured Avory Faucette and Stephen Ira conversation with middle school, high In recent years the LGBT movement school and college age youth regarding discourse has become increasingly mental health, suicide and healthy ways to dominated by a focus on marriage equality, cope with stress and anxiety. The workshop while critical trans and queer priorities go informs youth of the various services underfunded and under-addressed. Two offered by The Trevor Project and guides them in a conversation of how to recognize young queer activists will sound off about the warning signs of suicide and how to how we see ourselves and our peers fitting get help for themselves or a peer who may into “the movement” and our vision for be feeling suicidal. The workshop ends a youth-led queer/trans movement that by helping the participants identify ways prioritizes bullying, housing, health, that they will seek to deal with stress and violence, and other serious structural anxiety in a healthy way and how to identify issues to make lasting change. This will be supportive adults in their own environment. a highly interactive panel where everyone (For high school/college students) is encouraged to participate and brainstorm Room 4 strategy in a space that encourages radical discussion and prioritizes the Kink, Race and Class Ignacio Rivera needs of those most marginalized in our How does race/racism/classism play communities. Activist and writer Stephen into our kink? As a person of color in Ira of the Mattachine Review blog will the kink world, can we leave out some discuss online activism and grassroots/ of our identities at the door? Are poor local strategies for youth, while Avory people apart of play parties/ kink world? Faucette of the National Center for Why? Why not? Do kinksters operate in a Transgender Equality will talk about how vacuum? Is it possible to be kinky and not the national movement and non-profit political? How can we respect one another organizations can focus on trans/queer and continue to navigate within the kink priorities for a sustainable future. sphere? Let’s talk about race baby! 18+ only 22 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

12:30pm Sunday

Room 5 Room C Panel Discussion: Genderfluid: What Gender Improv 2 Does It Mean to You? Lorelei Erisis Mark Rheault, David aka SwitchMe, Second City trained improviser Lorelei Lisa Jacobs Erisis will share and discuss insights about Of all the terms you may learn this gender as well as the basics of improv and weekend, “genderfluid” is one of the how it can be used to enrich your own most complex. This is a term that many relationships and personal presentation. use, but they don’t always mean the same This is a hands-on workshop that will thing when they say it. Our panelists explore the performative aspects of will share their own definitions, what it gender using the techniques and tools of means to them, and their experiences as a improvisational acting. Participants will genderfluid person. have the chance to stretch their legs, open their minds and get up on their own feet to learn some basic games and exercises. No improv or acting experience is necessary, just the willingness to try something new and have a little fun.

1:45pm Sunday so hard to imagine the same phenomenon Room 1 holds true when we exchange bodily Freedom to Connect: Polyamory as fluids or emotional adventures? Non- a Social Network of Compassion- monogamous (and polyamorous) Moving Devices culture has ancient roots, but modern maymay technologies have dramatically changed Although few people seem to realize it, how people behave. The inverse is true the Internet is a very sexual technology. as well: polyamorous culture encodes It functions using the same principle discrete ways to “packetize” empathy as love: abundance is more valuable and emotional communications, forming than scarcity. If you drew people as a peer-to-peer infrastructure for the dots and the relationships between transmission of information about them as lines connecting the dots, the human relationships – a literal social result would look remarkably similar network of compassion-moving devices. to the topology of telecommunication Social behaviors are influenced by the networks like the Internet, wherein dots technologies we have available, but represent telephony devices (phones, the technologies we have available are fax machines, computers, etc.) and lines also influenced by social behaviors, or represent interconnections between embedded cultural scripts. How would them. However, a telecommunication Western society change if the “pair- network in which each device could bonded sexual-romantic couple” were only be connected to one other device no longer its central organizing social – a compulsorily monogamous world construct? In this session, explore the view – would not be very useful. Why myriad ways polyamory’s key tenet – that buy a phone that can only call one other a relationship involving more than two phone in the world? This freedom to individuals is a good and valuable thing “connect” with whomever we choose, – was influenced by and can be applied to to exchange ideas with others regardless everything from social media marketing, of geographic constraint, undeniably social justice activism, and, of course, enriched our intellectual experiences. Is it sexual freedom. 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 23

1:45pm Sunday our gender and our sexuality, but also Room 2 our politics, religious beliefs, even our Using Social Media to Change the World computer choices (gods forbid one own Richard Dedor both a Mac and a PC). The truth is that for From former mayoral candidate and many of us, these categories have gotten author, Richard Dedor, comes an engaging limiting. Sometimes our “boxes” can feel and interactive session looking at where in conflict with one another, or we are social media is and where you can take perceived as “other” by one community it for your organization. You’ll see how we feel kinship with because of our ties to you can utilize current technologies like another. In this workshop we will discuss Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr as well as strategies for living “outside the box” emerging technologies to engage, inform and raise awareness. You’ll leave with a and embracing our individuality without better understanding of technologies role loosing the vital sense of connection to in your mission and a plan to execute it. community that many of us crave. Room 5 Room 3 anel iscussion orking ith MadFemmePride Magic: Recipe for P D : W W rofessionals Hands-On Diverse Queer Community P Janie, Maggie Cee, Dora, and Ebonie of Aimee Bouchard, Melissa Kaplan, MadFemmePride raycho, Jennie Steinberg MadFemmePride (MFP) is Boston’s As people living outside the “mainstream” 3,000-member community of queer+ (bi, culture, we often find ourselves in queer, poly, lesbian, gay, questioning, situations where we are dealing with ally) femmes, feminine folks, and our professionals who may not understand femininity-supportive friends. Unlike our special needs. It can be exhausting other groups that have added in the to have to explain yourself in a way to T, B, and Q later, MFP has celebrated ensure you get the care, attention, and fair bisexual and transgender folks from the treatment you deserve. Our panelists come very beginning. We have always valued from medical and legal backgrounds, inclusivity and diversity and we work and will be happy to share not only their collaboratively to create real, friendly experiences in dealing with professionals, community through our events. We are but “insider” tips on finding a professional proud to have sustained MFP for over who wil work best with you. 8 years with a changing group of co- Room C organizers and ongoing involvement by active members. This interactive Photography for Every Body workshop both demonstrates and shares Jawn and Jawn’s Doll our recipe for community building, Some people can’t help but look great in with hands-on tools for friendly events, pictures. For those of us who don’t, there insight on leadership practices, and tips are some simple tips and tricks you can on sustainability. use to make yourself look fantastic! In this workshop, we will explore how to Room 4 pose to accentuate your best features, look at some psychology behind “masculine” Living “Outside the Box” Winter Tashlin and “feminine” poses, and go through Lesbian-Gay-Bi-Trans-Queer- the basics of lighting and model Questioning-Intersex-Ally the list could releases. This workshop is for models go on. We “box” ourselves in a wide and photographers alike, and will be variety of ways, not just with regards to interactive. Bring your cameras! Friday Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room C Ballroom 11:00 Registration

12:00 Intersex Day Ceremony (Room C)

13:00 PANEL: Queerying Creating and Bringing Consent, Marriage Is Not Erotic Educating Us All Negotiation, The Movement Narratives (Unlikely) Allies Together? and Boundaries 14:00 2:15pm ~ Break ~ 2:30pm Unintentional Deafhood, Internet Safety Closet: Queer Transhood: PANEL: for Sexually Aging and Identity in Being That Continuing Cultural Faith and 15:00 Vocal Ageism Hetero- Person Discussions Identity and Spirituality Laypeople presumptive Activism Situations 3:45pm ~ Break ~ 4:00pm How to Create 16:00 Transitioning PANEL: Islam and Isms & Intimacy with Queering Role Continuing with a Third Living Multiple Homosexuality Phobias Anyone: Talk in BDSM Play Discussions Gender Identity Lives and Workshop 4:45pm ~ Break ~ 5:00pm 17:00 Birds of a Birds of a Birds of a Birds of a Birds of a Birds of a Feather Feather Feather Feather Feather Feather Spirituality New! Parenting Polyamoury Professionals Toymakers

18:00

Dinner

19:00

20:00 The Naked I (Room C)

21:00

22:00

Rocky Horror Picture Show (Room C) 23:00 Saturday Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room C Ballroom

09:30 Bisexuals 5 Common Making Mixed Transcending Know Your Mistakes Made Protecting Orientation PANEL: Language - A Continuing 10:00 Rights by Well- LGBT Elders Marriages and Differsexuality Poetry Discussions Meaning Allies Relationships Workshop! Fabulous 10:45am ~ Break ~ 11:00am Connect, PANEL: What's 11:00 Double Edge: Accept, Transgender Changing the Metamour Next? Aging in Continuing BDSM and Respond, Feminism 101 Playbook Intensive the Queer Discussions Transgender Empower Community 11:45am ~ Break ~ 12:00pm 12:00

Plenary 13:00 (Ballroom)

14:00 2:15pm ~ Break ~ 2:30pm

Beyond PANEL: Polyamory As Asexuals are Binaries: Building Long Reclaiming Continuing Self- My Naked Self 15:00 Queer, Too! Identity and Term Power-Over Discussions Determination Sexuality Relationships

3:45pm ~ Break ~ 4:00pm 16:00 EMERGENCY! The Politics of PANEL: The Feminist Planning for Sex: Intimacy, Gender Bisexuality 101 Reflecting Our Submissive: Continuing Unplanned Power, and Improv I & Beyond Experiences in Reconciling the Discussions Healthcare Control Art Conflict 17:00 5:15pm ~ Break ~ 5:30pm Laughter is a SALACIOUS PANEL: Communicatio Lost in the Continuing Revolutionary Magazine: The Deviant Bodies Affecting Public n for Dating Law? Discussions Gesture Beginning Policy and Scoring 18:00

19:00 Dinner

20:00 SALACIOUS Party / Costume Photography (Second Floor)

21:00

Transcending Boundaries Costume Dance Party! 22:00 (Room C) Sunday Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4 Room 5 Room C Ballroom 09:00 Interfaith Service (Room C)

10:00 The United States Prison Queer: One Reconnect PANEL: One Body: Two Burlesque & Continuing System - Word, Many your Pleasure Coming Out / Spirits Gender Discussions Tearing Us All Meanings Path Living Out Apart 11:00

Lunch / Check out 12:00

Lifeguard Kink, Race, PANEL: Gender Continuing 13:00 Workshop and Class GenderFluid Improv II Discussions

1:30pm ~ Break ~ 1:45pm

Using Social PANEL: Freedom to Media to MadFemme Living "Outside Photography Continuing 14:00 Working with Connect Change the Pride Magic the Box" for Every Body Discussions Professionals World

2:45pm ~ Break ~ 3:00pm 15:00 Final Pannel (Room C)

16:00 Closing Ceremonies (Room C)

One-on-One Time Our One-on-One time is your chance to talk to different professionals that support our community. These are people that can offer insight to you in legal, medical, spiritual, and mental health industries. One on one time will be available on a first come-first served basis with some of our wonderful presenters. This is a great opportunity to ask your burning questions or get some resources in a more private setting.

Art Space Come express your creativity in our open art space on the Second Floor. We’ll have all kinds of art supplies to allow you to tell your story, share your ideas or just have fun. All are welcome to participate, regardless of perceived artistic ability. There will be space provided to show your creations as well, so don’t be shy. Join us in creating a work of art that transcends boundaries! Special Events Opening Ceremony, 12:00pm Friday Intersex Day of Awareness Intersex Day of Awareness started on October 26, 1996 when a group of intersex activists protested the practice of surgically altering intersex infants outside a pediatrics conference. Since then October 26 has been a day of education and action around issues affecting intersex individuals. Trancending Bounda- ries acknowledges the importance of recognizing the struggles of intersex individuals in a society obsessed with “normal” bodies and the gender binary. By telling and hearing the stories of intersex people, we hope to diffuse some of the shame and secrecy around intersexuality and help all members of our community become better allies.

Birds of a Feather, 5:00pm Friday Spirituality Polyamoury Room 1 - Alex Room 4 - Barry & Cathy Smiler Meet people interested in the New to polyamoury or looking to intersection between their spirituality, meet old or new friends, this hour is sexuality, gender, and relationsthip. a time to enjoy and hear from people People from all faiths are welcome to with multiple partners. bring their insights in navigating this Profesionals essential parts of our whole. Room 5 - Melissa New to TBC and our Communities By popular demand! Mental health Room 2 - Ian workers, doctors, lawyers, and any First time at TBC or even to your own other professional that serves our community? Please come by and say communities are encouraged to attend hello as we meet each other and share this meet and greet and networking what we know on who is here and event. Gain resources throughout what is going on. the Northeast and beyond, meet Parents and Families your colleagues, and share ideas. Room 3 - Aimee Toymakers Come share the joys and challenges Room C - Kristen Stubbs of raising a family, or just being People in interested in making their in one. Children are welcome to own fun will be getting together to attend. This meet & greet is open talk design and materials, as well as, to all, including queer parents and just saying hello to other kinky craft parents of queer children. people

Little Pins For Coat and Bag check at the Sale at the Information Desk for a Information Desk Donation to TBC Special Events Friday - Room C - 7:30pm .The Naked I: Wide Open The 20% Theatre Company Claire Avitabile, Anthony Neuman, Katie Burgess, Puck Matz, and Nicole Wilder The Naked I: Wide Open features monologues and short scenes filled with fresh, sexy, humorous, gut-punching, and unbelievably honest and true stories by transgender/gender non-conforming individuals and allies – exploring gender identity far beyond the land of “male” and “female”. The original, full- length production had its world premiere in Minneapolis in February 2012 to eight completely sold-out audiences, and featured over 50 artists. This “abridged” version is currently touring the country and features a handful of the original performers and writers. Copies of the full script will be for sale after the show. 20% Theatre Company is committed to supporting and vigorously promoting the work of female and transgender theatre artists, and celebrating the unique contribution of these artists to social justice and human rights. For more information please visit www.tctwentypercent.org.

Friday - Room C - 9:00pm The Rocky Horror Picture Show The Come Again Players Have fun unwinding after your first day at TBC as we all wait in antici…pation of an exciting weekend to come! The Come Again Players of South Hadley will lead us in the audience-participation cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Leave your tossables at home, but feel free to dress as your favorite character (or not), and we’ll all do the Time Warp again!

Custom embroiderers who do personalized T-shirts, tanks, hats, towels, blankets, leather bags and various other goods. At vending events, we bring our machines to do on the spot personalization! Also by e-mail we will work with you and do up a special shirt, blanket or leather for that special gift or always wanted to have item. More information write to [email protected] www.NeedlePlayDesign.com Special Events Saturday - Second Floor - 8:00pm Cocktail Party Wrap up your day or gear up for the night. Cocktail time is the chance for the early risers and the late to beds to come together and mingle. It’s our time of transitory transcendence from workshops to bass drops! A chance to order up from the bar and celebrate with new friends. Relax and relate with old ones. Or rev up for the dance party and gear up for the costume contest. Round Table with Rum and Coke? Lasciviousness over Lagers? Whiskey and a whine? Now is the time! It’s the cocktail hour and everyone’s invited!!

Saturday - Ballroom - 9:00pm Transcending Boundaries Dance Party We’re so close to Halloween that we just couldn’t resist having TBCs first costume party! This is a perfect opportunity for that costume you always wanted to wear that you feared was too “out there” for other parties. Our photographer will be present to take pictures of you and our beloved MC Lorelei Erisis will be awarding a prize for the best costume. DJ Kelvin spins in the ballroom until midnight!

Sunday - Room C - 9:00am Interfaith Service Please join us for an inspiring service of contemplation and celebration. Take the theme of Bringing Us All Together to heart as we transcend our multiple faiths to share with each other through words and ritual. This service will be led by presenters of many faiths, and is open to all, regardless of religion or spiritual persuasion. Even those with no spiritual impulse will find meaning in this community gathering.

Sunday - Room C - 3:00pm

The Final Panel: The Future of Our Community Ignacio Rivera, Robyn Ochs, maymay, Winter Tashlin, Lorelei Erisis Come join past and present Transcending Boundaries keynote speakers and presenters as they discuss the future of our community. After a weekend spent looking at how our individual sexualities, gender identities and expressions compliment and conflict with each other, our panelists will discuss what they will take away from this year’s conference, and how we can take what we experience in our TBC “bubble” with us all year round. 30 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

Biographies 20% Theatre Company/Claire Avitabile group of people committed to support- Claire Avitabile is an award-winning ing and vigorously promoting the work director and theatre educator, and the of female and transgender theatre artists, founding Artistic Director of 20% Theatre and celebrating the unique contribution Company in Minneapolis, MN. A gradu- of these artists to social justice and hu- ate of Smith College, cum laude, Phi Beta man rights. Kappa, Claires’ passions (and 20% The- Presenting: atre’s) include the development of new My Naked Self plays and queer theatre, promoting so- Saturday at 2:30 pm, Room 3 cial change through performing arts, and coaching emerging artists. She received Andrea Hackl her BA in Theatre from Smith College in Andrea Hackl is a graduate student with Northampton, Massachusetts. For 20% the department of Women’s & Gender Theatre Company, Claire has directed Studies at Towson University. An Aus- over ten plays, including the sold-out and trian native, Andrea has gained research award-winning productions of Standards experience in Ohio, California, Mary- of Care and The Naked I: Monologues land, Berlin, Salzburg, and Vienna. Her From Beyond the Binary, both by FTM main research interests are the media transgender playwright, Tobias K. Davis, representation of LGBT individuals and as well as The Naked I: Wide Open which the same-sex marriage movement in the was created by the company in February United States. 2012 and will be touring conference and Presenting: universities beginning Fall 2012. Bringing Us All Together?: Implications Presenting: for Changing Language in the Print Me- My Naked Self dia Discourse of Same-Sex Marriage Saturday at 2:30 pm, Room 3 from 2004-2012 Friday at 1:00 pm, Room 3 20% Theatre Company/Nicole Wilder Nicole Wilder received her MA in The- Angie Perone atre with an emphasis in Directing and I am a civil rights attorney at the National Women’s Studies from Miami University Center for Lesbian Rights in San Fran- in August 2008. She currently lives and cisco. I have assisted transgender and works in Minneapolis, MN as a theatre gender non-conforming persons in cases director, performer, musician and work- involving discrimination and harassment shop facilitator. Nicole is a company in work and school. I have also present- member of 20% Theatre Company, a ed workshops through the Transgender 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 31

Biographies Rights Project. through BmorePoly. BmorePoly offers Presenting: 50-60 events every month throughout the Protecting LGBT Elders Mid-Atlantic (DC/MD/VA area) and ap- Saturday at 9:30 am, Room 3 preciates elements and practices drawn Panel: What’s Next? Aging in the Queer from a wide range of sex-positive tradi- Community tions and communities, including poly- Saturday at 11:00 am, Room 5 amory, personal growth, intimacy, tantra, Lost in the Law? Legal Rights for Bisex- swing lifestyle, BDSM, sacred sexuality, ual and Gender or Sexually Fluid Persons the LGBTQ community, political activ- Saturday at 5:30 pm, Room 4 ism, massage, pagans, nudists, and other explorations of alternatives. BmorePoly Avory Faucette is only one year old, yet by embracing Avory Faucette is a radical genderqueer and emphasizing the common ground feminist activist and writer. Zie writes at underlying all these supposedly disparate the blog Radically Queer and is Direc- traditions and communities, it has grown tor of Operations for the National Cen- to become by far the largest and most ac- ter for Transgender Equality. Zie is also tive such group in the Mid-Atlantic. the founder of QueerFeminism.com. Hir Presenting: work focuses on intersections of gender, Panel: Consent, Negotiation, and Bound- sexuality, and other identities. Zie is par- aries ticularly interested in non-binary gender Friday at 1:00 pm, Room 5 and sexuality. Zie is also an award-win- Panel: What’s Next? Aging in the Queer ning international human rights legal ac- Community tivist with a law degree from the Univer- Saturday at 11:00 am, Room 5 sity of Iowa. Polyamory as Self-Determination Presenting: Saturday at 2:30 pm, Room 1 Panel: Consent, Negotiation, and Bound- Panel: Affecting Public Policy — Elec- aries tions and Beyond Friday at 1:00 pm, Room 5 Saturday at 5:30 pm, Room 5 Deafhood, Transhood: Cultural Identity and Activism C. Reyn Boyer will be graduating from Friday at 2:30 pm, Room 4 Towson University in 2013 with her de- Panel: Affecting Public Policy — Elec- gree in Psychology & LGBT Studies. tions and Beyond Presenting: Saturday at 5:30 pm, Room 5 Bringing Us All Together?: Implications Marriage is Not the Movement: Two Young for Changing Language in the Print Me- Trans/Queer Activists Talk Strategy dia Discourse of Same-Sex Marriage Sunday at 12:30 pm, Room 2 from 2004-2012 Friday at 1:00 pm, Room 3 Barry and Cathy Smiler have been active in open relationship, sex-positive, Coyote Too and Zhiva Zhenska – Coy- personal growth, and activist communi- ote has a BA in Anthropology, a minor ties for many years. They are both mem- in Psychology and has been studying the bers of the Polyamory Leadership Net- anthropologically aspects of relation- work, and former members of the final ships since the early 80’s. He first began Board of Directors of the Chesapeake exploring the BDSM community in the Polyamory Network. Formerly Califor- late 80’s. Zhiva focused on Women’s nians, they now live in Maryland, where Studies as an undergraduate, and is cur- they lead and produce events, often rently researching gender issues and 32 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

Created by 20% Theatre Company from Minneapolis, and featuring the stories of transgender and gender non-conforming artists and allies, The Naked I: Wide Open explores gender far beyond “male” and “female” in a series of fresh, sexy, humorous, gut-punching, and unbelievably honest monologues and short scenes. “It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Life-affirming and life-changing... Everyone should hear these stories!”

Warning: Adult language, sexual situations, and nudity. Not appropriate for youth. Performance runs approximately 50 minutes and will be followed by a discussion with the artists. www.tctwentypercent.org 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 33 in the United States. I love incorporat- ual and economic justice. She has been a ing breath and energy techniques more community organizer, fundraiser, Team- deeply into my work and life. I recently ster, bus driver and home repair contrac- attended (for the second time!) Dr. Bet- tor. Her interests in church work include ty Martin’s very powerful “Like a Pro” anti-racism education, class issues, anti- training on the nature of consent and am bullying efforts and diversity work, as developing a number of workshops that well as community outreach. Born and deal with this often challenging process. raised Irish Catholic, Dawn became a UU I’m a certified Cuddle Party Facilitator. I in the early 1990s and has been active in am moving into my own full-time prac- a number of churches in Maine, including tice, and am looking forward to the many Waterville, Allen Ave. in Portland, Ells- different ways of connecting with others. worth, and Belfast, which is her home I’m settling into, and embracing, my own church. She recently completed a year identity as a transgendered person (ok, as a student minister at the Universal- I label me as a co-gendered, bisexual, ist Unitarian Church of Haverhill, Mas- polyamorous switch!) and it’s proving to sachusetts and is presently working as a be a powerful force in my life. carpentry contractor and estate grounds- Presenting: keeper. Panel: Differ-sexuality: My Life as a Presenting: ____sexual Creating and Educating (Unlikely) Allies Saturday at 9:30 am, Room 5 Friday at 1:00 pm, Room 2 Reconnect Your Pleasure Path Panel: Faith and Spirituality Sunday at 10:00 am, Room 4 Friday at 2:30 pm, Room 5 Panel: Genderfluid: What Does It Mean Panel: Living Multiple Lives: Holding to You? Different/Conflicting Identities Sunday at 12:30 pm, Room 5 Friday at 4:00 pm, Room 5

Dave Serio is currently a graduate stu- Dora is an organizer with MadFemme- dent at Wayne State University in Detroit, Pride, an activist for transgender equality, Michigan studying Middle Eastern Stud- and just generally a femme-about-town in ies. I currently work at the Arab American Boston, Massachusetts, where she lives National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan with her high-school sweetheart and the as an educator where I conduct hundreds requisite two cats. Follow her on twitter: of tours and presentations around the @dora_theadora. Mid-West on both Arab Americans and Presenting: Islam. MadFemmePride Magic: Recipe for Presenting: Hands-On Diverse Queer Community Panel: Faith and Spirituality Sunday at 1:30 pm, Room 3 Friday at 2:30 pm, Room 5 Islam and Homosexuality E. Winter/Wintersong Tashlin (www. Friday at 4:00 pm, Room 1 barkingshaman.com) is an educator, activist, blogger, and shaman who teaches Dawn Fortune is a Unitarian Universalist workshops on such diverse topics as seminarian at Andover Newton Theologi- queer/LGBT issues, BDSM, pagan spiri- cal School in Newton Centre, Massachu- tuality, polyamory, and disabilities. He is setts, with an anticipated graduation date associate editor for The Bilerico Project, of 2014. A longtime activist in GLBTQIA an LGBT politics & culture blog, as well and progressive political causes, Dawn is as an assistant producer/programing di- keenly interested in issues of social, sex- rector for Dark Odyssey Events. Winter 34 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

Biographies has presented workshops for Transcend- Ebs – Through the power of social me- ing Boundaries, Five College Queer Gen- dia and organizing events through mad- der & Sexuality Conference, QueerPlay- femmepride, I have found great joy in Con, Dark Odyssey, Geeky Kink Event, helping create safe and friendly spaces Mass General Hospital, PassionateU, and for queer people. many others. He has appeared in televi- Presenting: sion documentaries featuring topics such MadFemmePride Magic: Recipe for as polyamory, spirituality, and genital in- Hands-On Diverse Queer Community tegrity in both the United States and Great Sunday at 1:30 pm, Room 3 Britain. His photography has appeared in Salacious Magazine, on the websites of Eddie Paradise of Happy Hour Bur- Crash Pad and Fruit Punch Productions, lesque – Happy Hour Burlesque has as well as in a number of both pagan and been bringing fun and playful body posi- mainstream books. tive burlesque to the stage since 2009. Presenting: Our shows pull on both classic and neo- The Unintentional Closet: Queer Identity burlesque traditions, presenting classic in Hetero-presumptive Situations teases and talent acts along side modern Friday at 2:30 pm, Room 1 twists. Eddie Paradise: Fearless Leader of Communication for Dating and Scoring Happy Hour Burlesque, Sex Toy Partys Saturday at 5:30 pm, Room C and Education for Oh My in Northamp- Living “Outside the Box” ton, MA, part-time fetish model, and Sunday at 1:30 pm, Room 4 amateur burlesque historian.

Are you a TRANSGENDER WOMAN between the ages of 16 and 24?

We are looking for young trans you might be eligible to women, of any HIV status, to take participate if you are: part in a research study focusing on • A trans woman/On the MTF spectrum a variety of health topics, including • Age 16 to 24 sexual health. Those who join will be • Sexually active reimbursed for their time.

For more information and to see if you are eligible please call or text 617.299.9013 or email us at [email protected]. Visit us at www.ProjectLifeSkills.org 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 35

Biographies Presenting: ing professional development trainings Burlesque & Gender for NYC high school staff. Ignacio is the Sunday at 10:00 am, Room C founder of Poly Patao Productions. P3 is dedicated to producing sex-positive work- unner cott G S is the Executive Director shops, performance pieces, films, play of the Massachusetts Transgender Politi- parties, panel discussions, social/political cal Coalition (MTPC) and is a nationally groups and educational opportunities that recognized activist, educator, and com- are specially geared toward queer women, munity organizer on Transgender Rights, transgender, multi-gender, gender-queer, LGBT health issues, and LGBT partner gender non-conforming and gender vari- abuse. In 2011, after 5-year campaign, ant people of color. As a filmmaker Igna- the Massachusetts legislature passed the cio currently embarked on a film project, Transgender Equal Rights bill; this leg- “Shades of Kink” a series of educational/ islative campaign was lead by MTPC documentary style films around inserting under the direction of Gunner Scott. He a racial/class/sexuality and gender into the holds a BA in Liberal Arts from Goddard Kink world. Ignacio also has completed College and has written articles for Bos- two experimental shorts. Their first short ton Phoenix, Bay Windows, What’s Up is an adult short about moving from nor- magazine, Sojourner Women’s Forum, mality into kink, called “Crossing” and the “Agitate and Activate”, the introduction other is a short about gender called “They” to Pinned Down by Pronouns, a 2003 Both films have been shown at various Lambda Literary nominee anthology, and film festivals across the country. As a sex is a co-author on the study and the article worker Ignacio is a Pro-dom and is work- in the American Journal of Public Health ing in the adult film industry. They can be entitled “Transgender Health in Mas- seen in their debut performance in Pink sachusetts: Results From a Household and White Productions, “In Search of The Probability Sample of Adults.” Wild Kingdom” and Morty Diomand’s Presenting: “Trans Entity: The Nasty Love of Papi and Know Your Rights & The State of Trans Wil.” Ignacio is also one of the founding Equal Rights board member of Queers for Economic Saturday at 9:30 am, Room 1 Justice, a progressive non-profit organi- Panel: Building Long-Term Relation- zation committed to promoting economic ships justice in a context of sexual and gender Saturday at 2:30 pm, Room 5 liberation. Ignacio G. Rivera is a Queer, gender Presenting: fluid, Trans- Entity, Black Boricua- per The Politics of Sex: Intimacy, Power, and formance artist, currently performing skits, spoken word, one-person shows and story-telling internationally. Ignacio is a lecturer/trainer, activist, new filmmaker, sex worker and self-proclaimed sex educator. As a lecturer/ trainer, Ignacio has spoken at home and abroad on such topics of racism, sexism, homo/transphobia, transgender issues, trans 101, sexual liberation, anti-oppression, anti-violence, multi-issue organizing and more. Ignacio currently consultants with various organizations in New York City conduct- 36 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

Biographies Control James O’Deorain is a radical equality Saturday at 4:00 pm, Room 2 activist who resists oppression, prejudice, Kink, Race, and Class and marginalization (both of myself and Sunday at 12:30 pm, Room 4 of everyone else). My goals in life are to learn in order to grow, and to grow in or- J.M. Sorrell is the Director of SAGE der to connect with all life more openly, Western Massachusetts. SAGE is a ser- more creatively, and more intensely. I do vices and advocacy organization for this through self-exploration, unpacking LGBT older adults, allies and friends. my own privilege and internalized op- JM identifies as a lesbian who has many pression, listening carefully to people non-conforming gender qualities. She is (especially people who face oppression I also a Justice of the Peace, and as such don’t), sharing any useful understanding I has officiated for over 525 lesbian, gay, gain (publicly, via livejournal), practicing gender queer, transgender and hetero- compassion, and challenging others to do sexual couples in Massachusetts over the the same. I feel that there are so many last nine years. JM is one of 25 certified compassionate people who could make trainers from around the country who beautiful change given the right catalyst. facilitates curricula from the National I want to be that catalyst. I also consider Resource Center on LGBT Aging. She creativity to be very important; I consider believes that patriarchal violence and op- that if I can’t see a solution, it is because pressive rule will continue until gender I am not thinking creatively enough yet. transcendance and acceptance of the en- Presenting: tire spectrum is in place. Panel: Consent, Negotiation, and Boundaries Presenting: Friday at 1:00 pm, Room 5 Aging and Ageism How to Create Intimacy with Anyone: Friday at 2:30 pm, Room 2 Talk and Workshop 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 37

Biographies Friday at 4:00 pm, Room 3 those interested in pursuing hierarchical Panel: Coming Out/Living Out relationships. She works with Jawn cre- Sunday at 10:00 am, Room 5 atively as part of Reverend Reacharound (ReverendReacharound.com) and as a Janie will use any excuse to be super- photographer for Jawniffer Photography femme & fearless! Her activism began (Jawniffer.com). She can also be found quietly in the bisexual movement, gained online at Jawns-doll.com. momentum when she helped organize the Presenting: 2006 Transcending Boundaries confer- Panel: Living Multiple Lives: Holding ence, and burst forth with madFemme- Different/Conflicting Identities Pride 7 years ago. She digs radically in- Friday at 4:00 pm, Room 5 clusive events and LOVES how people Photography for Every Body of all stripes & genders are creating a Sunday at 1:30 pm, Room C femme-centric friendly revolution in Boston!! This is what queer commu- Jennie Steinberg is a Massachusetts li- nity looks like: www.meetup.com/mad- censed mental health counselor special- femmepride! :-) izing in queer and nonconformist issues, as well as self-esteem and life transitions. Presenting: MadFemmePride Magic: Recipe for I own a limited private practice in Lex- Hands-On Diverse Queer Community ington, MA and am very excited to be at- Sunday at 1:30 pm, Room 3 tending my first Transcending Boundar- ies conference! Jawn is a photographer and musician Presenting: from Worcester. He has been active in Isms & Phobias: Informing or Ignoring the BDSM community for over a decade. the Ignorant With His Doll is the leader of Reverend Friday at 4:00 pm, Room 2 Reacharound, an irreverent folk-punk 5 Common Mistakes Made by Well- duo. They are also starting an LBGTQIK- Meaning Allies friendly photography business, Jawniffer Saturday at 9:30 am, Room 2 Photography, for event and portrait pho- Panel: Building Long-Term Relation- tography. Jawn can be found online at ships Jawnhenry.com, Jawniffer.com, Rever- Saturday at 2:30 pm, Room 5 endReacharound.com and Heart-Shaped- Panel: Working with Professionals Boy.com. Sunday at 1:30 pm, Room 5 Presenting: Panel: Reflecting Our Experiences in Art Dr. Joelle Ruby Ryan is currently a Saturday at 4:00 pm, Room 5 Lecturer in Women’s Studies at the Uni- Photography for Every Body versity of New Hampshire, where she Sunday at 1:30 pm, Room C also sits on the President’s Commis- sion on the Status of Women. She is the Jawn’s Doll has played a number of Founder of TransGender New Hampshire roles in her life, both literally as she (TG-NH) and currently sits on the Steer- earned her BA in Drama from Ithaca ing Committee for that organization. She College, and figuratively as she earned is currently finishing up work on her third her MEd from University of New Hamp- autobiographical film, Transilience, and shire. Her most important role is cur- also working on several writing proj- rently as the owned girl of Jawn. She has ects. Her major areas of academic and recently served as the Director of MAsT activist interest include: queer, ace and Mass (Masters And slaves Together), a trans rights, feminism, fat studies and fat monthly discussion and support group for liberation, sex worker rights, and film/ 38 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

Biographies media criticism and production. When kd diamond is a queer, erotic comic art- not speaking truth to power, she enjoys ist who fuses art with politics, graphics spending time with her two dogs, tending with sex, and education with visuals as to her houseplants, eating out, reading, a method of altering societal norms and writing and watching movies. breaking down preconceived notions of Presenting: gender and sexuality. Her work through- Transgender Feminism 101 out New England, and across the country Saturday at 11:00 am, Room 2 at large, has been called “imaginative,” Asexuals are Queer Too! “ambitious,” “fresh,” and “creative.” Her Saturday at 2:30 pm, Room 2 dogmatic approach to comics and art as a transformative experience sets her apart Joshua Tenpenny is Raven’s Boy, and from other artists. Diamond’s comic-art his devoted assistant, partner, and slave has been published in Gender Outlaws: for life. He is a massage therapist, Shiatsu The Next Generation (ed. S. Bear Berg- practitioner, and yoga teacher. He is poly- man and Kate Bornstein, Seal Press, Au- morphously perverse, and finds spiritual gust 2010). In a creative collaboration fulfillment through any kind of worthy with queer vaudevillian cohort Johnny service. Blazes, Diamond’s comics move to the Presenting: story-telling level to aid Blazes’ story of Panel: Consent, Negotiation, and Bound- genderqueeritude and self-discovery. In aries April 2010, Diamond decided to embark Friday at 1:00 pm, Room 5 on a mission to fill a need in the queer Transitioning with a Third Gender Identity feminist community by creating the queer Friday at 4:00 pm, Room 4 feminist sex magazine, Salacious. Sala- Double Edge: BDSM and Transgender cious is set apart from its peers by its fo- Saturday at 11:00 am, Room C cus on illustration, high art, and stunning Reclaiming Power-Over visuals. The first issue launched in Janu- Saturday at 2:30 pm, Room C ary 2011, and the second in May 2011. Salacious Magazine is now an international project, sporting over 90 contribu- tors and an infinite number of supporters, and continues to grow every day. You can learn more about Salacious Magazine at www.salaciousmagazine.com Addition- ally, Diamond’s anatomical drawings can be found in Tristan Taormino’s The Secrets of Great G-Spot Orgasms and Female Ejaculation: The Best Positions and Latest Techniques for Creating Pow- erful, Long-Lasting, Full-Body Orgasms (Quayside). In March 2012, Diamond’s illustrations will be featured in The Ul- timate Guide to Kink: BDSM, Role Play and the Erotic Edge (ed. Tristan Taor- mino, Cleis Press). Working from photo and book reference material, Diamond worked to create succinct and sexy in- structional drawings that highlight and emphasize the text within. In addition 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 39

Biographies to drawing and designing to her heart’s city tour of the Southern States via Mega- content, Diamond teaches a multitude bus which included a 2 AM encounter of classes and workshops. You can find with a pick-up truck full of homophobes those classes listed here. in a Montgomery Alabama Speedy Check Presenting: Cashing Parking Lot and an even scarier Panel: Reflecting Our Experiences in Art encounter with Sarah Palin. Kelli’s third Saturday at 4:00 pm, Room 5 comedy CD “Freak of Nurture: Why Is SALACIOUS Magazine: The Beginning The Fat One Always Angry” is making Saturday at 5:30 pm, Room 2 its mad mad way to a New York release this fall. Kelli Dunham (kellidunham.com) is Presenting: everyone’s favorite ex-nun genderqueer Panel: Building Long-Term Relation- nerd comic. Kelli was one of Velvet ships Park Magazine’s 25 Significant Queer Saturday at 2:30 pm, Room 5 Women of 2011 and author of four books EMERGENCY! Planning for Unplanned of humorous non-fiction, including two Healthcare children’s books being used by Sonlight Saturday at 4:00 pm, Room 1 conservative home schooling association Laughter as a Revolutionary Gesture: in their science curriculum. Kelli has per- Humor as Self-Care formed nationwide at LGBT pride events Saturday at 5:30 pm, Room 1 (Seattle, Long Beach CA, Rhode Island, Baltimore, Atlanta), colleges (Univer- Kelly Kroehle, MSW is the Program sity of Delaware, Penn State University, Coordinator at The Bryson Institute of Smith College, Temple University, Colo- The Attic Youth Center in Philadelphia. rado State University) and even the occa- An Ohio native, they studied Gender sional livestock auction. Both her comedy Studies and LGBTQ Studies at the Uni- CDs, “I am NOT a 12 Year Old Boy” and versity of Wisconsin-Madison before “Almost Pretty” are on regular rotation earning a Masters of Social Work at the on Sirius Satellite Radio’s mainstream University of Pennsylvania. A lifelong comedy station and she has appeared on advocate of thoughtful dialogue as a Showtime and the Discovery Network. means of understanding difference, Kelly Kelli was the winner of the 2007 Fresh is a skilled facilitator with a practical un- Fruit Festival Award of Distinction for derstanding of social and organizational stand up comedy, although she has never change that is grounded in best practices. before or since been called distinguished. As Program Coordinator, they work with Kelli recently returned from a 12 day, 10 and on behalf LGBTQ youth to facilitate

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Amherst • Great Barrington • Greenfield • Holyoke North Adams • Northampton • Pittsfield • Springfield 413-586-2016 40 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference

Biographies workshops and trainings that lend them- Lorelei Erisis – The super fabulous Lo- selves to cultures of respect and support relei Erisis is a transgender performer, throughout the region. In their spare time, writer, activist, adventurer and Pageant they love barbecue, crosswords, and Queen. She received extensive training laughter. in improvisation and sketch comedy at Presenting: the renowned Second City in Chicago Queer: One Word, Many Meanings and Los Angeles and has performed all Sunday at 10:00 am, Room 3 across the country including as the Em- cee of the Noho Pride Celebration! She Dr. Kristen Stubbs is a queer, pansexu- is also a director,teacher and indepen- al, kinky roboticist who’s more interested dent filmmaker. She is especially proud in people than in technology. She is an to have directed and performed with The aspiring maker who enjoys learning from Fully Functional Players in Los Angeles, other geeks, makers and hackers (regard- the first and only all-transgender improv less of whether they identify as kinky) group in the country! In addition to her and from other sex-positive and kink- Second City training she has also studied positive people (regardless of whether at a number of other theater workshops they identify as makers or geeks). Kris- and schools, including an apprentice- ten blogs at The Toymaker Project about ship in Pantomime and movement with technological empowerment with respect Ryszard Choroszy, the assistant to and to sexuality, gender and pleasure: How disciple of the great Polish artist Henryk can we make, hack or adapt technology to Tomaszewski, the founder and director of serve our wants and needs? Kristen’s life the Wroclaw Mime Theatre. Follow her goal is to empower other people to find blog on The Web at: transprov.wordpress. out more about themselves and become com and watch out for her monthly col- toy makers and hackers, too. umn: “Ask A TransWoman” in The Rain- Presenting: bow Times!!! Slaínte! Queering Role in BDSM Play Presenting: Friday at 4:00 pm, Room C Gender Improv 1 Saturday at 4:00 pm, Room 3 Changing the Playbook — Negotiating Panel: Affecting Public Policy — Elec- Asexual/Sexual Relationships tions and Beyond Saturday at 11:00 am, Room 3 Saturday at 5:30 pm, Room 5 Panel: Coming Out/Living Out Gender Improv 2 Sunday at 10:00 am, Room 5 Sunday at 12:30 pm, Room C 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 41

Biographies Lori Desrosiers is a bi, poly poet whose Mark Rheault has a lifetime interest in experience is in encouraging youth and the psychology of variations in gender adults to write through trauma or to identity and sexual orientation. In addi- gain insight into their poetic selves. She tion to presenting workshops on bisexu- has a book of poetry, The Philosopher’s als and their relationships at regional con- Daughter soon to be released by Salmon ferences, Mark is involved with several Poetry and a chapbook, Three Vanities support groups helping others understand from Pudding House Press. She has been the joys of living life authentically as a involved in Split this Rock political po- bisexual with the ones we love. etry festival in Washington, DC and is Presenting: chair this year for the November 30/30 Bisexuals Making Mixed Orientation poetry challenge to benefit the Center for Marriages and Relationships Fabulous New Americans in Northampton, MA. Saturday at 9:30 am, Room 4 She has conducted workshops at the Aus- Panel: Coming Out/Living Out tin International Poetry Festival and New Sunday at 10:00 am, Room 5 England College’s MFA program. She Panel: Genderfluid: What Does It Mean edits and publishes a journal of narrative to You? poetry, Naugatuck River Review. Sunday at 12:30 pm, Room 5 Presenting: Transcending Language — A Poetry Matt is a graduate student in mathemat- Workshop! ics who identifies as asexual, kinky, and Saturday at 9:30 am, Room C genderqueer. Panel: Reflecting Our Experiences in Art Saturday at 4:00 pm, Room 5 Presenting: Changing the Playbook — Negotiating Maggie Cee is an artist, activist, dancer, Asexual/Sexual Relationships and educator committed to community and Saturday at 11:00 am, Room 3 social change. She is the founder and artistic director of The Femme Show, a ground- maymay – Formerly a free software pro- breaking touring variety show about queer grammer “by day” and a sexual freedom femme identity. Onstage, Maggie strives to advocate “by night,” Maymay has been offer provocative, inspiring performances an outspoken member of kinky, queer and writings. In addition to the Femme communities since 2002. Now a full- Show, she been seen at MondoHomo, the time activist, writer, and public speaker, HOT Festival at Dixon Place in New York he frequently examines cultural and po- City, the 2008 and 2012 Femme Confer- litical issues ranging from censorship to ences, and the Stonewall Inn. Her writing community building and beyond on his has appeared in anthologies including Sec- blog at maybemaimed.com. Using an in- ond Person Queer from Arsenal Pulp Press. terdisciplinary approach that treats sexu- Dance and choreography credits include ality as a lens on the rest of life, Maymay Big Moves, Ballet Rox, the Boston Chil- also hosts the Internet talk show KinkOn- dren’s Dance Festival, and Dances in Black Tap.com, authors the explicit photogra- and White at the Schubert Theatre. She is phy blog MaleSubmissionArt.com, and the 2011 recipient of the History Project’s founded the all-ages KinkForAll.org se- Lavender Rhino Award for an emerging ries of sexuality education unconferenc- LGBT history maker. es. Since its inception in New York City Presenting: in 2009, educators and activists brought MadFemmePride Magic: Recipe for KinkForAll to 6 cities across America Hands-On Diverse Queer Community including Washington, DC and San Fran- Sunday at 1:30 pm, Room 3 42 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference Biographies cisco. He currently volunteers as the is also known for challenging deeply- Chair of the Technology Special Commit- held beliefs about “kinky” sex by explor- tee for Conversio Virium, America’s old- ing common visual depictions of sexually est student-run BDSM education group. dominant women, and especially submis- Maymay’s seminars have been featured sive men. His work has been featured by at conferences from coast to coast, and he the internationally-distributed counter- regularly injects sex-positivity into each culture publication Filament Magazine, and every community he geeks out with. feminist books such as Reclaiming the F His presentations, lectures, and work- Word, and academic works like Playing shops focus on queer identity and expe- on the Edge: Sadomasochism, Risk, and rience, sexuality, media and censorship, Intimacy. Maymay’s theorizing draws gender (with a focus on masculinity), heavily from the free and open-source technology, and especially the intersec- software movement, whose principles of tion of these things. As a social justice transparency, accessibility, and diversity technologist, maymay rallies hackers, underpin everything he does. Makers, DIY enthusiasts, environmental- Presenting: ists, and myriad other groups to support Internet Safety for Sexually Vocal Laypeople sex-positive feminism. As a sexual free- Friday at 2:30 pm, Room 3 dom activist, maymay works to connect Panel: Differ-sexuality: My Life as a enclaves of the sex-positive movement ____sexual with one another through the power of the Saturday at 9:30 am, Room 5 Internet and social networking. As a sex- Freedom to Connect: Polyamory as a Social ually submissive man himself, maymay Network of Compassion-Moving Devices Sunday at 1:30 pm, Room 1

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (UCC) has Open and Affirming congrgations that offer God’s Extravagant Welcome to people who are transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, same-gender loving or questioning

For information about LGBT Concerns And to find an Open and Affirming Church In Massachusetts Go to www.macucc.org

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST (UCC) has Open and Affirming congregations that offer God’s Extravagant Welcome to people who are transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, same-gender loving or questioning

For information about LGBT Concerns And to find an Open and Affirming Church In Massachusetts Go to www.macucc.org/lgbt 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 43 Biographies M. Paz Galupo is Professor of Psychol- Presenting: ogy and Director of LGBT Studies at Metamour Intensive Towson University. Saturday at 11:00 am, Room 4 Presenting: Deviant Bodies: Intersections in Body Bringing Us All Together?: Implications Policing for Fat Folx and Trans* Folx for Changing Language in the Print Me- Saturday at 5:30 pm, Room 3 dia Discourse of Same-Sex Marriage from 2004-2012 Rebecca Papadinis: is a mental health Friday at 1:00 pm, Room 3 therapist with a MEd in Professional Counseling and Human Development. I Raven Kaldera is a queer FTM trans- work as an outpatient clinician for a com- gendered intersexual shaman. He is the munity mental health agency. Prior to author of too many books to list here, in- moving to New England I was in private cluding Dark Moon Rising: Pagan BDSM practice in central Kentucky and was the and the Ordeal Path and Dear Raven and only therapist in the region who special- Joshua: Questions and Answers About ized in LGBT issues for adults, children Master/Slave Relationships. He and his and families. slaveboy Joshua have been teaching and Presenting: presenting workshops regularly for many 5 Common Mistakes Made by Well- years to the BDSM, Neo-Pagan, Sex/ Meaning Allies Spirituality, transgender, and other com- Saturday at 9:00:30 am, Room 2 munities. ‘Tis an ill wind that blows no minds. Richard Dedor – I make my home in Presenting: New York City, where I operate my train- Panel: Faith and Spirituality ing and coaching company. Through all Friday at 2:30 pm, Room 5 my experiences, I have come to believe Transitioning with a Third Gender Iden- that each of us has the ability to overcome tity any obstacle we encounter; in addition to Friday at 4:00 pm, Room 4 having a positive impact on those around Double Edge: BDSM and Transgender us. I have spent the last ten years vol- Saturday at 11:00 am, Room C unteering for community groups, work- Reclaiming Power-Over ing in politics and the non-profit sector, Saturday at 2:30 pm, Room C and currently spends his time consulting companies on their social media tactics Rebecca Crane is an unrepentant relationship anarchist who has been doing education and activism around consen- sual non-monogamy since the age of 15. She attended the very first Transcending Boundaries as a teenager in 2001 and is excited to be back in 2012. A sociologist and social justice advocate, she is particularly interested in how individuals negotiate healthy and empowering intimate relationships within the context of larger social structures. Rebecca has traveled to seven continents, has a weakness for tiny cupcakes, and wants to Queer All the Things! 44 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference Biographies and execution. When I was 18, I ran for Inc. 16+ years. Co-founder of Two Spirits mayor of Mason City, Iowa, a town of of WV. Member - Appalachian American 30,000. The campaign propelled me into Indians of WV. Presented in January 2012 the national spotlight. I finished third, but at the Creating Change Conference, and proclaimed on election night that it had July 2012 at the Gender Spectrum Con- been a victory. I hold a degree in pub- ference. Professionally spoken/taught all lic relations and have written one book, levels preschool to higher education pub- Anything is Possible. licly and as instructor. Presenting: Using Social Media to Change the World Presenting: Sunday at 1:30 pm, Room 2 One Body: Two Spirits — Native Ameri- can Honoring of Multiple Gender Tradi- Robyn Ochs is an international speaker, tions award-winning activist and the editor of Sunday at 10:00 am, Room 2 the quarterly publication Bi Women and the 42-country anthology, Getting Bi: Wes Nemenz is the Education Manager Voices of Bisexuals Around the World. - East for the Trevor Project, the nation’s Her writings have been published in numerous bi, women’s studies, multicultur- leading suicide prevention and crisis al, and LGBQ anthologies, and she has intervention organization for LGBTQ taught courses on LGBT history and poli- youth. Wes oversees education initiatives tics. An advocate for the rights of people for the Trevor Project, including the co- of ALL orientations and genders to live ordination and presentation of hundreds safely, openly and with full legal equal- of workshops and trainings a year. Wes’s ity, Robyn’s work focuses on increasing previous experiences include presenting awareness and understanding of complex hundreds of workshops and trainings on identities, and mobilizing people to be creating safer spaces for LGBTQ indi- powerful allies to one another within and viduals in New York schools and profes- across identities and social movements. sional environments, coordinating youth She has served proudly on the Board of Directors of MassEquality since 2003. programs at an LGBTQ community cen- Presenting: ter and developing social media strate- Panel: What’s Next? Aging in the Queer gies for non-profit organizations. Prior Community to moving to New York, Wes worked Saturday at 11:00 am, Room 5 with Equality North Carolina on their Beyond Binaries: Identity and Sexuality grassroots campaign to successfully pass Saturday at 2:30 pm, Room 4 the School Violence Prevention Act, the Bisexuality 101 & Beyond South’s first-ever LGBT-inclusive anti- Saturday at 4:00 pm, Room 4 bullying bill. Wes graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greens- Rev. Spence C. PeaceMaker WayaCri- boro with a BA in Communication Stud- er Carver, MPA, MSW, WV Licensed ies and Public Relations. Graduate Social Worker: aka Two- Presenting: Spirit – Male-Bodied, Poly, Bisexual, Connect, Accept, Respond, Empower: Sexually/Gender Fluid. WV State Psychi- Supporting LGBTQ Youth atric Hospital Social Worker. Social Sci- Saturday at 11:00 am, Room 1 ences 19+ years. Founder/Co-President Lifeguard Workshop of all-volunteer gender/sexual diversity nonprofit - Rainbow Community Center, Sunday at 12:30 pm, Room 3 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 45

IN LOVING MEMORY ALICE “BADGER” WASHBURN 02/21/1967 – 12/26/2011

Science Fiction conventions And Specially the Transcending Boundaries Conference will never be the same without you.

ALL YOUR FRIENDS MISSED YOU!

The world is changing and so is the Transcending Boundaries Conference. We need new leaders to join our organizers to plan the next conference.

Please email [email protected] for more information on joining the team. 46 - 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference Sponsors

Gold Aimee K. Bouchard BitSmith Technology Group Jawniffer Photography

Bronze Dignity/Boston Melissa J. Kaplan LMHC

Community New England Leather Alliance

Rainbow Tom Limoncelli

Vendors Cosmetic and Wellness Center - Dr. Martorell Inciting Defiance Independent Psychotherapist Keshet MKT Productions - Chaotic Kiss Amarez Jewelz

Advertizers At First Glance Publishing Fenway Health Sarah Lemons Jennie Steinberg, LMHC, LLC United Church of Christ - Open and Affirming Churches 2012 Transcending Boundaries Conference - 47

Accessibility Transcending Boundaries is committed to hosting a conference that is accessible to all community members. This page is a reference for all attendees to foster that goal.

Stress Management Transcending Boundaries can be a loud, exciting and busy experience. People from all over the country are convening on the Mass Mutual Center for a weekend of education, fun and community organizing around a multitude of issues and identities. While this is absolutely fabulous, it does mean that attendees need to take gentle care of themselves to avoid stress and have a truly pleasant experience. TBC has set up one (1) quiet zone, located on the 2nd floor at the landing. This space is for decompression, relaxation and stress management. Listening For the convenience of speech-readers, we set aside blue stripe seats front and center in every workshop room. Workshop participants use microphones in the larger workshop rooms. Breathing Transcending Boundaries Conference is a chemical-free, scent-free conference. This means that the conference requests that all participants refrain from wearing perfume, cologne and other fragrances, and use unscented personal care products in order to promote a fragrance-free environment.

MOBILITY AND ORIENTATION Each of the conference workshop rooms is outfitted with blue painters tape marking space for wheelchair users to efficiently access and use the space. Additionally, chairs placed on blue lined space are intended for those with visual or hearing needs.

Allies: How Everyone Contributes to an Accessibile Con One of the greatest ways to make Transcending Boundaries accessible to people with disabilities is to educate ourselves, regardless of disability status on how to be an ally. When in doubt, remember that ‘person first’ is the best way to go. Disability is only part of a person’s life and story, and getting to know them rather than focus on their disability/ies goes a long way to being an ally. • Don’t ask intrusive questions, however well-intentioned. Questions about medical conditions and personal health can be irritating, exhausting and demeaning. • Don’t assume people with disabilities want or need fixing. • Offer help--don’t assume it’s needed. Most of us are taught to “help the handicapped” but not “does this person want and/or need help?” If you think someone needs assistance, just ask. If they say yes, don’t make assumptions; instead listen to the details of what the person with disabilities wants. If they say “no thanks” don’t be offended. What might look overly complicated or inefficient can be what that person with a disability finds works best. • Ignore service dogs while they’re working. Do not pet, feed, or interact with them. If you would like to interact with a service dog, please ask the handler first. Re- spect a no answer! There are lots of reasons a person may not wish for you to interact with their service dog. • Respect the blue lined space marking accessible locales for people with visual, hearing or mobility needs. Jawniffer Photography Proud photographers of the Transcending Boundaries Conference

We are LGBTQIK-friendly photographers for all your event and portrait needs. Available for reasonable travel from the Central Massachusetts area. Let us help to capture your special moments! Contact us for select TBC rates.

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