IndependenceFirst

#DenimDayIsTransToo April 24, 2019 is Denim Day -- a day where we can wear jeans with a purpose: to remember that sexual violence is never a survivor's fault, to show support for each other, and to to celebrate the our wholeness and beauty (while decked out in jeans!). Join FORGE and photographer Addie Lipson (Bricks leader) to mark #DenimDay. We'll meet up at Independence First (540 S 1st St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204) for a photoshoot to capture our #RadicalResilience, remember that #TransIsBeautiful, and honor each other in all we've survived through and thrived through. #FORGE will provide food, music, and a welcoming setting to gather and connect with others. You can choose to participate in the photoshoot -- which will give you an amazing photo by the super talented Addie Lipson! Bring yourself. Invite a friend. Wear some rad denim. Feel your beauty. #SAAM #DeminDay #TransToo #DenimDayIsTransToo #RacidalCare #RadicalResilience

Due to the holidays (Passover and Easter), and many people being on school spring break, there will be no April 20, 2019 FORGE meeting. Please join us on Saturday, May 18, 2019 @ 2:00pm for our next in-person meeting at Independence First (540 S 1st Street, Milwaukee, WI).  We will be sharing how you can get into PrideFest for fee by volunteering with FORGE.  Every year, FORGE has been a co-sponsor of the Health and Wellness Area of PrideFest – making sure that trans orgs and trans communities are a vital and vibrant part of the weekend! See you in May!

Milwaukee’s trans+/non-binary community is kicking off our annual national coloring page design contest this weekend at our monthly meeting on Saturday, March 16, 2019.  Every year, FORGE sponsors this fun and engaging design contest for April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month (#SAAM). This year our theme is Radical Resilience. We encourage artists (of all skill and experience levels!) to join us this Saturday to get a head start on their designs. Not feeling creative to make new art?  Then come color some of the designs from previous years (plus others) and eat some pizza, too! First, second, and third place winners get t-shirts with the winning design, and first and second place winners get $75 and $25 gift cards, respectively. The winning design may also appear on the t-shirts worn by FORGE’s PrideFest volunteers.  Winners will be selected on April 1, 2019. Want to know more about the contest?  The guidelines are here. Let us know […]

Much of what we celebrate during Black History Month is achievements. Given the U.S.’s long and difficult history around race, it makes sense that many of these achievements are overcoming tremendous adversities and mounting collective resistance and resilience efforts. Both of those themes are front and center in Free CeCe!, a film we will view together Saturday, February 16, 2019 (2:00pm), at Independence First. Free CeCe! features interviews between noted trans actor Laverne Cox and CeCe McDonald. In 2012, McDonald – a bi Black trans woman – and her friends were physically assaulted, including racist and transphobic threats and taunts. McDonald defended herself, resulting her attacker’s death. CeCe was jailed in men’s prisons, and community members – including Laverne Cox and dozens of advocates around the country – worked to get her hormones and eventually arrange for her early release. Is it a coincidence this all took place in Minneapolis, where the first two openly […]

  2018 was a rocky road, and at least politically, and many of us are concerned about what might happen as we move into 2019.  So let’s tool up! FORGE is devoting its first meeting of 2019 to sharing practical skills for getting through the day – even the hard days. We’ll help participants experience and learn to repeat calming coping skills using music, art, meditation, movement, and other modalities.  All of us can use more ways to restore a sense of calmness amidst the chaos and challenges of our lives. Come join us for a participatory and revelatory experience!   New Meeting Location! The January 2019 FORGE meeting will not be held in our usual place. Instead, we will be meeting at: Independence First 540 S 1st Street Milwaukee, WI Our new location is one result of an emerging partnership with IndependenceFirst. Plenty of free parking is available, and we hope the new site […]