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SUPPORTING TRANS COMMUNITIES SINCE 1994

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[CONNECT] I want to reach out, but don’t know how to start!

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for supportive social connection.  All groups are trans and queer led.   This week’s topic: I want to reach out, but don’t know how to start! Feeling disconnected with your friends or family?  Not sure how to initiate contact, even though you want to?  This problem-solving interactive discussion will explore ways we can successfully (and comfortably!) reach out to the people in our lives and cultivate more connection.     Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/93307339093 Use computer audio or dial in: Dial by your location         +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)         +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)         +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 933 0733 9093   CONNECT CHAT is facilitated by michael munson. michael is as an out trans-masculine femme. He embraces many overlapping identities, including being radically queer, gender-fluid, a person living with multiple disabilities, a […]

[CONNECT] Mystery Game

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for supportive social connection. Let’s have some fun and play some online games!   Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/97890093691 Use computer audio or dial in:         +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)         +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)         +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 978 9009 3691   All groups are trans and queer led. The facilitator for this event is Matthew Lewis, 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. . About CONNECT Play with Pals events: CONNECT groups will meet three times each week with a different focus for each session. Friday’s from 4:00 – […]

[ASK the advocate] Staying true to yourself while staying safe

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for an opportunity to ask questions and engage with professionals serving the trans/non-binary community. Topic: Staying true to yourself while staying safe: Gender expression in the age of COVID-19 In our world of social distancing, face masks, working from home, and other shifts in our day-to-day lives, trans and non-binary people are often struggling with how to stay safe AND how to continue to present our gender in ways that feel true and affirming.  Are you worried that wearing a face mask will change how people perceive your gender?  (Wonder about how to get lipstick off of your cloth mask?!)  Are you concerned about your gender expression if you need to stop binding for a while to give your lungs a bit more breathing room?  We’ll talk about how gender cues might shift and how our gender expression may morph as we […]

[ASK the physician] “My job is considered essential — how can i stay safer?”

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for an opportunity to ask questions and engage with professionals serving the trans/non-binary community. Topic: "My job is considered essential -- how can i stay safer?" Not everyone is working from home or unemployed.  It is not always clear what needs to be done to stay safe(r) while working with others, which may include not being able to adhere to social distancing recommendations.  Learn how to minimize your risk and learn strategies to stay as healthy as possible. Presenters: Andrew Petroll, MD, MS., and Ann Brooks, RN 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. Ann Brooks, RN Ann […]

[CONNECT] Book Discussion: Advice from the Lights

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for supportive social connection. All groups are trans and queer led.   Topic: Book Discussion: Advice from the Lights (author Stephanie Burt) Woodland Pattern has provided books for community members to read ahead of this discussion group.  At this session, we’ll read selected poems from trans author, Stephanie Burt’s book of poetry, Advice from the Lights.  Join in to listen and discuss! Get your own (free) book ahead of time by emailing Peter Burzynski peterb@woodlandpattern.org.   Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/93084770642 Use computer audio or dial in:         +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)         +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)         +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) Meeting ID: 930 8477 0642   Facilitator: Loree Cook-Daniels Loree Cook-Daniels is the Policy and Program Director for FORGE.  Cook-Daniels has been a policy analyst and advocate for LGBT issues for more than 40 years, […]

[CONNECT] Things that bring joy

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for supportive social connection.  All groups are trans and queer led.   This week’s topic: Things that bring joy Maybe it’s the single blade of grass peeking through the sidewalk crack, the warmth of your cat’s fur, or the beat of the song on your playlist.  We’ll talk about the things that bring us joy.  We’ll explore how to cultivate more and capture its essence to help sustain us.   Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/95368362540 Use computer audio or dial in:         +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)         +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)         +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Meeting ID: 953 6836 2540   CONNECT CHAT is facilitated by michael munson. michael is as an out trans-masculine femme. He embraces many overlapping identities, including being radically queer, gender-fluid, a person living with multiple disabilities, a passionate worker, proud parent, […]

[CONNECT] Game Day

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for supportive social connection. All groups are trans and queer led. Let’s have some fun and play some online games! This week we’re inviting folks to find a location on Google Maps or Google Earth that you’re interested in, have a fun story about, or just found while you’re exploring! Then at 4:00, we’ll have a "show-and-tell” discussion on Zoom and look at all of our locations together. We’ll also spend some time playing geography-related games, so feel free to join us even if you’d prefer to listen and not to share!   Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/96439455521 Use computer audio or dial in:         +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)         +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)         +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) Meeting ID: 964 3945 5521   The facilitator for this event is Matthew Lewis, a Black Queer poet, […]

[ASK the provider] Low or no health insurance? You still deserve healthcare!

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for an opportunity to ask questions and engage with professionals serving the trans/non-binary community. Topic: Low or no health insurance?  You still deserve healthcare! We all deserve physical and mental health care.  This session will explore getting the care you need with or without insurance.  We’ll  discuss how to access affordable health insurance (possibly at no cost to you).  We’ll share where you can seek care without insurance, and how to navigate systems that often seem to prioritize payment over people.   Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/98008372867 Use computer audio or dial in: +1 929 205 6099 +1 301 715 8592 Webinar ID: 980 0837 2867   Presenters:  Joanna Woodbury and Carolyn Wesolowski Joanna Woodbury Joanna Woodbury is an experienced Certified Social Worker and has worked in HIV care since 2007.  She serves as the Social Services Program Manager overseeing social work, mental health […]

[CONNECT] Poetry and performance slam

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for supportive social connection. All groups are trans and queer led.   Topic: Poetry and performance slam  Do you write poetry? Create visual art? Play music? Are you looking for a space to share your work? Maybe you’ve never shared your art before... We welcome trans-specific content, as well as any other topics that move you, issues you are passionate about, and expressions that share more about who you are.  We will hold a welcoming space for all of us to mingle with kindred spirits and build community by sharing pieces of ourselves through whatever art form we choose. No need to read or perform – there is ample room for attentive listeners to cheer on those who wish to share.   Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/98049817762 Use computer audio or dial in:         +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)         +1 301 […]

[CONNECT] Changes in how we access mental and physical health care.

Join FORGE and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Inclusion Health Clinic for supportive social connection.  All groups are trans and queer led.   This week’s topic: Changes in how we access mental and physical health care. Many of us are unfamiliar with telemedicine and communicating with our health care providers by video or through text-based platforms.  We’ll have an interactive discussion about what kinds of changes many providers have implemented, how we can feel more comfortable engaging with our providers in this new way, and how we can feel safer and more comfortable seeking (and getting) the care we need and want.   Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/97832242612 Use computer audio or dial in:         +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)         +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)         +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 978 3224 2612   CONNECT CHAT is facilitated by michael munson. michael is as an out trans-masculine […]