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PACT NOW - Redefining Realness square

Big Read: Redefining Realness (9-24-2020)

Description: Janet Mock's amazing book, Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More will be the focus of this Big Read discussion.  FORGE will send you a free Kindle or paperback copy of this book so you can read it ahead of time. Request your copy by completing this form: Facilitators: Matthew Lewis and Naomi-Antrelle Jones Matthew Lewis Matthew Lewis is a Black Queer poet, community health promoter, and unapologetic Aquarius.  He has a bachelor’s degree in English-Creative Writing and Gender Studies from the UW-Madison.  He currently works as a Clinical Program Coordinator for the Medical College of Wisconsin. Matthew has strong passions for storytelling, R&B music, and Food Network TV. Naomi-Antrelle Jones Naomi is a Public Health Social Worker and Trans Health Advocate, currently working as a Program Coordinator at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in their Infectious Disease Department. Naomi is a strong supporter of Milwaukee‘s LGBTQA community. Jones is […]

PACT NOW - Transitioning in the Early Days square

Transitioning in the Early Days (9-26-2020)

Description: Harry Benjamin. Truman Capote. Elliot Blackstone. Donald Laub. Sandy Stone. You may have heard of one or two of them; Lynn Genevieve Alcorn (“Gen”), now 72, met them all. Come hear about the colorful life of one of the pioneering clients of the Stanford Gender Clinic. Bring your questions about “life back then.” ASL, Captions, Recordings, and Trans/Queer-led. Events will have an ASL interpreter and CART closed captioning.  Please reach out with any access needs. This event will be recorded and archived. Support focused groups are trans and queer led. ABOUT events FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic have created a series of events for trans+/non-binary community members, loved ones, and supporters, to come together for support, connection, learning, and empowerment.  Participants will have the opportunity to find community, feel less isolated, and learn new skills and information. Initiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many topics focus […]

PACT NOW - Sex, Sex Work & COVID-19 square

Sex, Sex work, and COVID-19 (9-29-2020)

Description: Sex, hooking up, and sex work can be more complicated in the age of COVID-19.  Many trans folks yearn for intimate contact with existing partners, new sexual hook ups, as well as connections of sex for survival.  This session will provide practical tips for increasing safety AND empowering people to get their sexual and sex work needs met. Presenter: Andrew Petroll, MD, MS Dr. Petroll is an Associate Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin.  He is an Infectious Disease specialist and also serves as the Medical Director of the Froedtert & MCW Inclusion Health Clinic, an outpatient clinic designed to provide affirming and excellent care to the LGBTQ community. ASL, Captions, Recordings, and Trans/Queer-led. Events will have an ASL interpreter and CART closed captioning.  Please reach out with any access needs. This event will be recorded and archived. Support focused groups are trans and queer led. ABOUT events FORGE and Froedtert & the […]

PACT NOW - Plan Your Vote square

Plan Your Vote (10-08-2020)

Description: Are you ready to vote? Join us to talk about voting issues in Wisconsin for trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming voters, including making your plan to vote, helping other community members vote, and ensuring that your vote actually counts! Presenter: Shelley Gregory (they/them or any pronouns). Bio:  Shelley Gregory (they/them or any pronouns). Shelley is a trans human, activist, and advocate, and the Strategic Project Coordinator for FORGE. Shelley has worked actively in the LGBTQI+ community for over 25 years and began to focus their work on advocacy for transgender and non-binary folx nearly two decades ago. Their background is as a civil rights lawyer. Shelley continually aims to contribute to improving quality of life for trans and non-binary individuals and increasing our inclusion in society. Shelley presently assists survivors of violence through individual advocacy and peer support, as well as policy development and public education. ASL, Captions, Recordings, and Trans/Queer-led. Events will have […]

PACT NOW - Coming Out Panel & Discussion square

Coming Out Panel and discussion (10/13/2020)

Description: Coming out can be fun, scary, exciting, nuanced, playful, avoided, or necessary.  (For some, the choice is not to disclose, too!)  This panel discussion will highlight many trans+ community member’s stories of coming out. Join in to support, listen, and maybe even gain a technique or two if you are considering disclosing your gender identity to someone in your life. Facilitator: michael munson michael is as an agender, trans-masculine, boot-loving, LatinX/multi-racial, femme.  He embraces many overlapping identities, including being an altruist iconoclast; a passionate worker bee; proud parent of a millennial & a strong, tender partner. He co-founded FORGE in 1994 and has an educational background in psychology with an emphasis on trauma-informed care. He is FORGE’s Executive Director and primary trainer. ASL, Captions, Recordings, and Trans/Queer-led. Events will have an ASL interpreter and CART closed captioning.  Please reach out with any access needs. This event will be recorded and archived. Support focused groups […]

PACT NOW - Coloring & Chatting square

Coloring and Chatting – Spirit Day (10/15/2020)

Description: Sometimes we just need a bit of time to chill, connect with others, chat, and color!  Find your favorite coloring book or sketch pad, or download a coloring page from the web.  As we color, we talk about whatever moves us – and share the results of our beautiful coloring at the end of the session.   Zoom link Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/91715755445 Use computer audio or dial in: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Meeting ID: 917 1575 5445   Presenters: michael munson michael is as an agender, trans-masculine, boot-loving, LatinX/multi-racial, femme.  He embraces many overlapping identities, including being an altruist iconoclast; a passionate worker bee; proud parent of a millennial & a strong, tender partner. He co-founded FORGE in 1994 and has an educational background in psychology with an emphasis on trauma-informed care. He is FORGE’s Executive Director and primary trainer.   ASL, Captions, Recordings, and […]

PACT NOW - Creating Meaningful Relationships square

Creating Meaningful Relationships (10/20/2020)

Description: There are all kinds of relationships.  All of them need care, nurturing, and some work to blossom.  This session will focus on creating and maintaining meaningful relationships – of all kinds.  We’ll focus on learning how to improve active listening skills, communicating clearly, getting what you need, and action steps that will strengthen your budding and long-term relationships and friendships. Presenters: Joanna Woodbury & Carolyn Wesolowski Joanna Woodbury Joanna Woodbury is an experienced Certified Social Worker and has worked in HIV care since 2007. Joanna joined Froedtert and the Medical College in 2010 and serves as the Social Services Program Manager overseeing social work, mental health and pharmacy services provided in the Inclusion Health and Infectious Disease Clinics. Joanna also provides social services for Froedtert and the Medical College’s PrEP and Inclusion clinics. Joanna is a leader in HIV care and prevention social work and is responsible for the development and expansion of social […]

PACT NOW - Soothing the Soul square

Soothing the soul through words, images, and action (10/22/2020)

Description: Join FORGE for this dynamic, interactive, experiential, and reflective space that encourages attendees to transform feelings about personal or global loss, trauma, or life-hardships into empowered hope.  Attendees – in a structured, safe, creative setting – will use writing (and maybe a little art and movement too) to address topics that impact us all. Participants will leave with a renewed sense of hope, community, and connection with themselves and with others. All materials provided, but feel free to bring your favorite notebooks and writing tools. No writing experience necessary.   Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/92125798398 Use computer audio or dial in: +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 921 2579 8398   Presenters: michael munson michael is as an agender, trans-masculine, boot-loving, LatinX/multi-racial, femme.  He embraces many overlapping identities, including being an altruist iconoclast; a passionate worker bee; proud parent of a millennial & a strong, tender partner. He […]

PACT NOW - Legal Rights Q&A square

Legal Rights Q&A (10/27/2020)

Description: Got questions about your legal rights? Join us for Q&A about general legal information for trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming residents of Wisconsin. We’ll discuss topics like name/gender marker changes, health care, employment and housing, civil rights and more. Bring your questions!   Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/99426809425 Use computer audio or dial in: +1 929 205 6099  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 994 2680 9425   Presenter: Shelley Gregory (they/them or any pronouns). Bio:  Shelley is a trans human, activist, and advocate, and the Strategic Project Coordinator for FORGE. Shelley has worked actively in the LGBTQI+ community for over 25 years and began to focus their work on advocacy for transgender and non-binary folx nearly two decades ago. Their background is as a civil rights lawyer. Shelley continually aims to contribute to improving quality of life for trans and non-binary individuals and increasing our inclusion in society. Shelley presently […]

PACT NOW - Game Day square

Game Day! (10/29/2020)

Description: Come kick back and enjoy some playful connecting with other trans+ community members.  We’ll play several different online games which will appeal to just about everyone!  No gaming experience needed.  Come as you are and have some fun relaxing with others.   Zoom link Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/96821176118 Use computer audio or dial in: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Meeting ID: 968 2117 6118   Facilitators: FORGE Staff ASL, Captions, Recordings, and Trans/Queer-led. CONNECT events will have an ASL interpreter upon request.  AI-generated captions will be available. Please reach out with any access needs. Support focused groups are trans and queer led.   ABOUT events FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic have created a series of events for trans+/non-binary community members, loved ones, and supporters, to come together for support, connection, learning, and empowerment.  Participants will have the opportunity to find […]

Biden’s First Hundred Days: What is means for trans & non-binary communities

Much has changed dramatically for trans and non-binary rights since President Biden took office, including who’s representing our interests and how they’re discussed. Please join FORGE for conversation about what has changed in the first 100 days (and what’s stayed the same). We’ll review the administration’s commitments, explore roadblocks and what remains to be done, and hold space for discussion about how we as community members can contribute to making change. FORGE informational events are focused on people in the trans/non-binary community(ies). Everyone is welcome – friends, family, loved ones. Presenters: Shelley Gregory & Loree Cook-Daniels Shelley Gregory (they/them or any pronouns). Shelley is a trans human, activist, and advocate, and the Strategic Project Coordinator for FORGE. Shelley has worked actively in the LGBTQI+ community for over 25 years and began to focus their work on advocacy for transgender and non-binary folx nearly two decades ago. Their background is as a civil rights lawyer. Shelley […]