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SUPPORTING TRANS COMMUNITIES SINCE 1994

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STILL AROUND (film)

(The HIV Story Project, Jörg Fockele and Marc Smolowitz, producers; 82min., 2011) A video quilt that weaves together a diverse array of stories – of men and women, young and old; gay, straight and transgender – all living with HIV. Still Around shares artful testimonials brought together to mark the 30th anniversary of one of the world's most substantial health pandemics. Produced by the San Francisco-based collective The HIV Story Project, Still Around is a collaboration between subject and filmmaker: each portrait started with an individual living with the disease who wanted to tell their story, a filmmaker then brought in to collaborate on the story’s realization. The results wonderfully vary in form – straightforward documentary, spoken word performance, experimental poetics, a dance piece. But in sum the anthology marks a triumph of voices raised -- in courage, in defiance, as witness. 24th Annual Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival http://www4.uwm.edu/psoa/programs/film/lgbtfilm/ Co-Sponsor: BESTD Clinic Community Co-Presenter: Sixteenth […]

FREE

Living Long Term (support meeting)

Description: Join us for a moderated panel discussion of individuals who are living long term.  There will be ample time for attendees to ask panelists specific questions and begin a dialogue that will continue later in the evening when we break into our usual roundtable discussion format.    Topics that may emerge include: implications of long-term hormone use; changes in health insurance benefits/access over time; shifts or stability in various components of identity; decisions around the choice to be stealth or out; impact on family and relationships; consequences of theREALID Act; changes in emotions or socialization; issues that may have cropped up now that weren’t there long ago; and cultural and political and changes in the trans (and LGB and straight) community/ies.  

Social Support: What is Community?

Topic: What is Community Details: Many people talk about the “trans community,” but what does that phrase really mean?  Are we a community by default – based on a shared identity, a set of lived experiences, or association to other people?  Or do we consciously, deliberately create the community we wish to be part of? March’s social support meeting will begin with an experiential exercise that explores where and how Wisconsin trans* people and SOFFAs connect.  We will discuss whether or not the concept/existence of “community” is important to us and how we each define its meaning in our lives.  Discussion might lead to dialogue about where else in our lives we find (or seek) community or connection. Topic Discussion begins at 7:30 - 9:00pm A pre-determined topic will guide discussion and interaction between attendees.  This portion of the meeting begins promptly at 7:30pm. Open rap is from 6:00 - 7:15pm Open rap is the […]

Social Support

Topic: FILM: Genderf*kation: A Gender Emancipation Time: 7:30 - 9:00pm April’s meeting will screen the film Genderf*kation: A Gender Emancipation. We are proud to be bringing the film to Milwaukee for the first time. Please spread the word and join us for this new opportunity to see a thought-provoking, engaging film. Genderf*kation: A Gender Emancipation is the story of six individuals and their journey & triumphs through the social, religious and political landscapes of a society that struggles to understand or allow for gender variations. This documentary includes provocative interviews with professionals and outreach members who are active in this community to help shed light on a very controversial matter. This film breaks through the gender stereotypes and historical gender ideologies to liberate our bodies, minds and spirits from our own social Gender Dysphoria. Although it is based in Minnesota, the subject matter has no borders. The subject of gender is a taboo topic in […]

Social Support

Topic Discussion begins at 7:30 - 9:00pm Decisions, decisions, decisions! We all have many choices to make about how we live our lives.  There are literally thousands of choices around how we express our gender, change (or don't change) our bodies, make changes to our legal documents (or not), and how we interact with others in the world.  May's meeting will focus on identifying the RANGE of choices we each have, and then discussing HOW and WHEN we might pursue those decisions. Open rap is from 6:00 - 7:15pm Open rap is the time to connect connection with fellow Trans+ and SOFFA individuals. This gently facilitated time is especially devoted to exploring the issues you bring in – sharing your experiences and stories, asking questions, seeking referrals, gathering resources. We’ll assure this hour+ will stay focused on your needs, and the discussion you generate.    

Free

Social Support: Pride

Topic Discussion begins at 7:30 - 9:00pm Topic: Pride June is LGBT Pride month.  For many in the LGBT community, Pride is a very important time of the year, where people gather at PrideFest, companies have LGBT Pride days or events, and even the President makes proclamations and hosts celebratory parties at the White House.  Some trans people and loved ones feel excited and positive about Pride, while others may view being trans as not something pride-worthy, or may not want to be out about being trans.  The meeting will include video clips and images about Pride that will jump start our discussion, allowing for a wide ranging discussion. Open rap is from 6:00 - 7:15pm Open rap is the time to connect connection with fellow Trans+ and SOFFA individuals. This gently facilitated time is especially devoted to exploring the issues you bring in – sharing your experiences and stories, asking questions, seeking referrals, gathering […]

LGBTQ Anti-Violence Project training

This invite-only training will help support the formation of an Anti-Violence Project in the Fox Vally and Oshkosh areas of Wisconsin. Goodwill Industries of NCW, Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Harbor House Domestic Abuse Services, Reach Counseling and The Sexual Assault Crisis Center have joined together to help form the Fox Valley LGBTQ Anti-Violence Project to address hate crimes, sexual assault, domestic violence and suicide prevention within the LGBTQ community.  The steering committee for this Project started meeting in January 2011 and continues to make progress. Because this issue impacts all our communities, this event will bring together leaders in law enforcement along with other leaders together to discuss what is happening at a national and local level concerning the LGBTQ community. michael munson from FORGE will inform attendees about  what is happening nationally as well as highlight what other communities are doing.  Kathy Flores will share some information about what has been happening at […]

Social Support: Family Matters

Topic Discussion begins at 7:30 - 9:00pm Topic: Family Matters Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, cousins, chosen kin…family, by any other name.  What happens to family relationships when a person comes out as transgender or gender non-conforming?  What is it that family members want to know?  What are they concerned about?  What do trans people worry about when it comes to their family members, and what do they wish their family members knew?  July's social support meeting will explore these questions and more.  Family members and loved ones are always welcome at FORGE events, but at this meeting we strongly encourage and welcome family members to attend -- with or without their trans loved one(s).  Come join us in a safe and yet revealing discussion of the relationship between transgender people and their family members.   Open rap is from 6:00 - 7:15pm Open rap is the time to connect connection with fellow Trans+ and […]

Social Support: Second Life and beyond

Topic Discussion begins at 7:30 - 9:00pm Topic: Second Life and beyond Description: Guest presenter Raine will lead August’s meeting focused on the transgender resources and social interactions in virtual worlds, primarily Second Life.  Second Life is a online virtual world in which a highly diverse global population can interact in real time from almost any computer with a solid internet connection. Of primary importance to our community are the resources, both informational and social, that are easily accessible to transgender people regardless of their real world location. The ability to communicate with people “like ourselves” can be vital support in any stage of transition. The tools of the virtual world also allow transgender and gender non-conforming individuals to present to the virtual world exactly as they feel they are meant to be seen.  This platform allows individuals the opportunity to gain confidence in a potentially new gender role, or to try on multiple different […]

Social Support: Addiction and Obsession

September's meeting topic: Addiction and Obsession Many people struggle with addiction (alcohol, drugs, cutting, food, sex, TV +) and/or obsession (body image, facebook, negative thoughts, gender presentation, opinions of others, +).  This meeting will look at small and large ways addiction/obsession may impact our own lives, as well as the lives of our loved ones and friends.  We may take a step farther and discuss how addiction/obsession influence our community.   Open rap is from 6:00 - 7:15pm Open rap is the time to connect connection with fellow Trans+ and SOFFA individuals. This gently facilitated time is especially devoted to exploring the issues you bring in – sharing your experiences and stories, asking questions, seeking referrals, gathering resources. We’ll assure this hour+ will stay focused on your needs, and the discussion you generate.