MKE TDOR 2020

MKE TDOR: Ground. Speak. Remember. Connect. Be part of marking the Transgender Day of Remembrance. The greater Milwaukee community will be honoring those who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender bias or violence on Friday, November 20, 2020 through a virtual gathering. This is a COMMUNITY event — for the community, of the community, by the community, and with the community. Part of joining together as a community this year and every year, is to hear multiple voices and diverse views. Agenda: Grounding and Centering. Speaking – Your voices. Remembering. Connecting.

Coloring and Chatting: A Wintery Theme

Join FORGE and friends for a low-key support group to chill, connect with others, chat, and color. Folks will have the opportunity to just BE with each other. What to bring? A cup of hot chocolate or another favorite wintery beverage. A coloring page or book (especially those with a winter theme – snowflakes, holiday symbols, winter sports, festive sparkles, whatever winter means to you) Pens, pencils, markers to color with YOURSELF – however you are feeling, whatever state you are in! As we color, we talk about whatever moves us – and share the results of our beautiful coloring at the end of the session. Event guide:  michael munson   Zoom link https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/92070520782 Use computer audio or dial in: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 920 7052 0782   ASL, Captions, Recordings, and Trans/Queer-led. Support group events will have ASL upon request.  Please let us know if you need ASL a week […]

Staying Active in the Winter

Join us for an informational conversation with Caleb Weinhardt. Physical activity comes in all forms, and we can all find different ways to incorporate enjoyable movement into our lives! We will talk about strategies for staying active safely in the winter-time, as well as during our current health crisis.  Conversation will explore finding joy in new routines, moving our bodies, incorporating the outdoors into our physical activity, and caring for our physical and mental health. Facilitator:  Caleb Weinhardt Caleb Weinhardt is an undergraduate student at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and studies Psychology. His previous work with FORGE has included leading outdoor activities with the FORGE Outdoors program and organizing volunteers during Milwaukee PrideFest. In his spare time, Caleb enjoys running, hiking, and biking outside, rock climbing, and foraging wild plants! ASL, Captions, Recordings, and Trans/Queer-led. Support group events will have ASL upon request.  Please let us know if you need ASL a […]

Connect: Pets, Animals, and Furry Friends!

Did you know that pet adoptions have soared during the COVID-19 pandemic? Many folks are adopting “pandemic pets” or spending more time with the furry friends they already have! Whether you have pets or not, join us on Tuesday, January 12th, to chat about the benefits of spending time with animals, the joy they bring into our lives, our favorite animal stories and photos, favorite wild animals, favorite animal web cams, and more! We invite you to bring your pets to Zoom with us if you’d like to! Facilitator: Caleb Weinhardt Caleb Weinhardt is an undergraduate student at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and studies Psychology. His previous work with FORGE has included leading outdoor activities with the FORGE Outdoors program and organizing volunteers during Milwaukee PrideFest. In his spare time, Caleb enjoys running, hiking, and biking outside, rock climbing, and foraging wild plants! Topic: Pets, animals, and furry friends {Support} Time: Jan […]

COVID Pods, School, Safety, and Shifting Needs

As we continue navigating COVID-19, we are each are finding what is comfortable and safe-feeling for ourselves when considering who to include in our inner circle of people who we spend face-to-face time with. We’ll talk about the critical role of having people in our lives and connecting in meaningful ways. Exploring the concepts of our personal bubble will play a central role in our discussion. ASL, Captions, and Trans/Queer-led Events will have an ASL interpreter and AI-generated closed captioning. Please reach out with any access needs. Support focused groups are trans and queer led.

Share the Love: Valentine’s Day Card Making

For this Valentine’s Day themed event, we’ll be making valentines, cards, and other crafts to share with others, decorate, or just to enjoy! You’re welcome to use the craft supplies you have access to, or request a packet with materials from FORGE. We invite you to make these crafts for yourself or for others who might love to receive a card during this time of limited social interaction! If you'd like to receive a Valentine's Day Care Package with crafting supplies for this event, please request one at this link before Feb 3rd, 2021! Request here: https://forms.gle/KCf1sa91sG47FibU9 Topic: Share the Love: Valentine’s Day Card Making Time: Feb 9, 2021 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada) https://forge-forward.zoom.us/j/96309290326 Meeting ID: 963 0929 0326 Events will have an ASL interpreter and AI-generated closed captioning. Please reach out with any access needs. Support focused groups are trans and queer led.

A look into the world of fashion model Dezjorn Gauthier

Let’s Chat: A look into the world of fashion model Dezjorn Gauthier BlackTransHistory month is almost over – but the work, passion, and brilliance of Black Trans Excellence is ever-present.   Join FORGE and guest speaker Dezjorn Gauthier – model, public speaker, pageant host, entrepreneur, and much more.  He will talk about some of his amazing journey, as well as include share about the often-under-discussed culture of pageants and runways.  Join us! Learn more about Dezjorn here: https://dezjorn.com/home/about/ https://www.instagram.com/dezjorngauthier/ Let us know you're attending on Facebook.  

Coloring & Chatting! Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Join FORGE and friends for a low-key support group to chill, connect with others, chat, and color. Folks will have the opportunity to just BE with each other. This coloring & chatting event will be centered around Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), with awareness-themed coloring pages (keep an eye out for these to be posted soon!) What is SAAM? Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. What to bring? - A cup of hot chocolate or another favorite beverage - Pens, pencils, markers to color with - Coloring pages or book (or print a copy of one of the SAAM-focused coloring pages) - YOURSELF – however you are feeling, whatever state you are in! FORGE support events are focused on people in the trans/non-binary community(ies). Everyone is welcome – friends, family, loved ones. As we color, […]

Don’t Miss Your Shot: Covid-19 Vaccine Q&A

Vaccines for COVID-19 are becoming more widely available as eligibility continues to expand. Many trans/non-binary folks have questions about the vaccines: how do I sign up for an appointment? Where can I get vaccinated? Who can get vaccinated? What are the risks? How long will it last? What are the side effects? When will I be protected? What do I do with my vaccination card? In this transition towards mass vaccinations during the pandemic, the choices we make to protect ourselves and others may change. Bring all of your vaccine-related questions to this Q&A session with Annie Lakatos, NP. Together, we will learn about vaccine eligibility, availability, safety, and much more. FORGE informational events are focused on people in the trans/non-binary community(ies). Everyone is welcome – friends, family, loved ones. Presenter: Annie Lakatos Annie Lakatos has been a nurse practitioner since 2009 and works at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin in the Inclusion […]

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 […]