2023
Workshops & Seminars
- TransPeople of Color
A Body-Affirming Approach to Health & Happiness: Putting the Fun Back in Fritos
3:30 PM on
Fri, Mar 24
in Penn Harris B
The $73 Billion Diet Industry and the $808 Billion Health Care Industry would lead you to believe that the most successful pathway to health and happiness is through weight loss. But what if that hasn’t worked for you? And what about the damage dieting causes? Even when prescribed by a physician, dieting has serious physical and emotional side effects like weight cycling, preoccupation with food and body, disordered eating behaviors, decreased self-esteem, and depression. As a former chronic dieter, Health Coach and Intuitive Eating Counselor, Tracy Hess, helps her clients break free of diets and achieve greater physical, mental, and emotional health AND experience more pleasure in their relationship with food by embracing a non-restrictive Intuitive Eating approach. Learn how to drop the guilt and judgment of diets and enjoy eating again, all while achieving your health and wellness goals in this liberating seminar.
Interest Tags: Aging, Family/Friends, Gender Affirming, Military/Veterans, Non-Binary, Professional Education, Spouses/Signification Others, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color, Wellness, Youth
A Brief History of Transgender Issues-How We Got Where We Are
3:30 PM on
Thu, Mar 23
in Harrisburger B
This workshop addresses transgender history from a variety of perspectives starting with the vocabulary we use to describe and distinguish the transgender community. A discussion of the legal landscape over time provides a backdrop for the changing response of transgendered persons to institutional repression. The historical record covered includes the Biblical references to cross-dressing, the Middle Ages, Puritanism, the Civil War, the era of cross-dressing balls, the Pansy Era, the riots at Cooper Donuts and Compton Cafeteria, the sit-in at Deweys and then the response to the police raid at Stonewall. Substantial attention is paid to the difficulties the transgender community encountered gaining acceptance from the LGB portions of the rainbow, including the exclusion of transgendered persons from ENDA and the impact of Janice Raymond's writings and the exclusion that ensued at West Coast music venues and the Michigan Musicfest, and that continues today. Hypotheses are offered for how these impasses were and are being overcome. How the historical record differs across cultures and for people of color is addressed from a number of perspectives. A substantial discussion is anticipated over the role of physicians in the emergence of transgendered persons, including the pivotal role of Johns Hopkins and how the void was filled when Hopkins withdrew. The emergence of trans-specific advocacy organizations and scientific advances in gender identity (beginning with Herschfeld) will be discussed as time allows.
Interest Tags: Advocacy, Legal, Professional Education, Spirituality/Religion, Surgery, TransPeople of Color
Anti-Trans Legislation – What Is It Really All About and How Do We Combat It?
2:00 PM on
Fri, Mar 24
in Penn Harris A
Over the past several years hundreds of bills have been introduced in state, county, and local legislatures that are specifically targeting transgender individuals with discriminatory actions that threatened the ability of gender-expansive people to thrive. In this workshop you will get the deeper story of why a small group of legislators and political operatives are pushing these bills. We will then dive into a discussion regarding tactics that have been successfully used to combat these bills and how you can get involved.
Interest Tags: Advocacy, Gender Affirming, Legal, Non-Binary, Safety, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color, Workplace, Youth
Below the Belt: How to Plan for Surgery
9:00 AM on
Sat, Mar 25
in Metropolitan A
Below the Belt: Lower Surgery Real Talk
9:00 AM on
Fri, Mar 24
in Penn Harris B
This will be a discussion of people who have started or completed genital surgeries and their experiences. Participants who feel comfortable will share their bodies live and some will send me respectful slides in advance for me to share on screen. This presentation is for AFAB Men, trans men and Trans masculine individuals who have had or want to learn more about lower surgeries or share their experience.
Brows and Brow Sculpting
3:30 PM on
Fri, Mar 24
in Lochiel
Building Affirming Safe Spaces for BIPOC YOUTH
2:00 PM on
Sat, Mar 25
in Metropolitan A
Celebrating Trans Joy!
10:30 AM on
Thu, Mar 23
in Penn Harris B
Trans joy is about claiming one’s identity and celebrating it - and that is one of the best things about attending a conference like Keystone. When we are in and surrounded by Community it is easy to feel joyful. But what about when we leave? This interactive workshop will explore the concept of "Trans Joy" including how we can celebrate our transness 365 days a year, what that means for ourselves/others and how it can impact our community's future. Come, celebrate, and share your stories!
Interest Tags: Advocacy, Experience Sharing/Discussion, Gender Affirming, Non-Binary, Relationships, Socializing, Spouses/Signification Others, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color, Wellness, Youth
Diet Despair – The Uplifting Support Group for Anyone Struggling with Weight & Body Dissatisfaction
10:30 AM on
Sat, Mar 25
in Lochiel
Come prepared for a wave of compassion, love and support with this opportunity to share and learn real information about your health including effective tools to rediscover the joy of eating and a happier and healthier approach to loving your body. If you are worried about gaining weight from hormones, the stress of surgery and trauma of lifestyle change with transition, this is the group discussion for you led by former chronic dieter and Intuitive Eating Counselor Tracy Hess.
Drumming Circle - Unlock Inner Peace and Spark Personal Joy Through Sound & Play
2:00 PM on
Fri, Mar 24
in William Penn
Ready to find your inner voice and move to the beat of your own drum? Join handpan musician and the founder of Super Bloom Women’s Handpan Retreat for an interactive and immersive drum circle, play lab, laughter (yoga) and more. Sarah believes that there are musical (creative) seeds in all of us. In cultivating curiosity and imagination these seeds grow, and eventually thrive, if we let them bloom in abundance. This directly ripples into other facets of life. In this Play Lab Workshop, we will explore new beginnings through sound exploration, with the handpan as our guide. The process of discovery doesn’t have to end just because we "become adults"! Channel your inner self, unlock the key to your next personal evolution and share a memorable experience you won’t discover at any other conference. This is an event like no other and you may be surprised the joy that fills your heart and the peace that radiates through your body.
No instrumental or musical experience necessary – all are welcome. Recommended to bring water and if you prefer, dress comfortably as you will have an option to sit in a chair or on the floor while holding the instruments.
Interest Tags: Aging, Experience Sharing/Discussion, Family/Friends, Gender Affirming, Non-Binary, Relationships, Safety, Socializing, Spirituality/Religion, Spouses/Signification Others, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color, Voice, Wellness, Youth
Effectively Navigating Neurodiversity and Disability with Queer clients. A Guide for Helping Professionals
10:30 AM on
Fri, Mar 24
in Harrisburger A
*This workshop qualifies for Continuing Education Credit
Recent studies have found that up to 70% of Autistic individuals identify as LGBTQ, or “non-heterosexual”. People who do not identify with the sex they were assigned at birth are also 3 to 6 times more likely to identify as Autistic or neurodivergent (2021, pridecentervt.org) With the new statistics that are coming out surrounding queerness and neurodivergence, professionals working with the LGBTQ community are very likely to encounter individuals with needs that the provider may not be familiar with. This workshop will not only touch on awareness, but also acceptance of LGBTQ neurodivergent people and people with disabilities. We will discuss concepts of able-bodied privilege, and ways that helping professionals can improve their practice to better support neurodivergent clients.
Interest Tags: Non-Binary, Professional Education, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color, Wellness
End Game Discussion Group: How to Celebrate & Manage a Partly Out Lifestyle from the Big Moments to the End-All Burn Box
3:30 PM on
Sat, Mar 25
in Governor
A discussion group led by Sonia Swann, the significant other of a “partly out” partner who is pursuing a Master’s Thesis on the topic. Share your experience, troubleshoot and ask the big questions like how to have a wedding or memorial that honors your entire life and includes all your circles of loved ones. Can’t participate in person? Please support Sonia’s research by completing the anonymous survey at . . .(link to be provided soon).
There will be no recordings, and no personal data collected. There will be a person to take notes and snacks!
Exquisite Eyes
3:30 PM on
Thu, Mar 23
in Metropolitan C
Learning to use eye makeup is no easy task, even for seasoned divas. And there is no shame in admitting that! From picking the right shades to angling your brushes, it's easy to get confused about the best ways to make your eyes pop. Athena will offer techniques on how to apply make-up correctly so as to give your face a pretty polish for an interview or sultry drama for a fun night out. She will discuss eye shapes and contouring, benefits of using primers, color palette selection, and proper application of eyeliner and mascara to achieve the 'perfect' eye makeup look for you. So come learn how to master the best techniques for those Exquisite Eyes!
Interest Tags: Image & Presentation, TransFeminine, TransPeople of Color
Free to Pee: Trans Access to Public Restrooms
9:00 AM on
Thu, Mar 23
in Harrisburger A
Public restrooms have become a major site of conflict over trans rights. This is nothing new in architectural history. The restroom has always been a cultural battlefield during periods of social change. Earlier battles addressed access by women, racial integration, access for people with disabilities, to list only the most obvious. The conflicts over trans access have neglected the importance of design in advancing social change. Although policy change is critical, in the end, design will determine whether trans access works well in our workplaces and civic spaces. We are now learning how to design public restrooms that transcend gender stereotypes and are also safer, easier to use, more convenient, increase privacy, and reduce anxiety for all building users. Building owners and the public need to know how to adopt best practices and the trans and gender diverse community is best prepared to help.
A university-based research team is learning how to advance trans inclusion. The team is conducting research and developing a public education program, including an exhibit and online resource, on inclusive restroom design. The workshop will describe the initiative and engage the attendees in helping to shape the further development of the project. The first half of the workshop will include a brief history of public restroom design, a description of the research, examples of best practices and a description of the educational program. The second half will focus on Q&A and discussion. The team is eager to obtain suggestions for improving the research and education methods and engage the trans and gender diverse community in its efforts. As part of the program, attendees will also be asked to submit stories of trans experience in restrooms, questions, and ideas, for inclusion in the planned exhibit and web resource.
Attendees will…
1. Learn about leading edge efforts to design and build inclusive restrooms
2. Learn how cisgender people perceive inclusive restroom designs
3. Learn how they can help improve trans inclusion through advocacy and education
4. Contribute to the public education and advocacy effort
Interest Tags: Advocacy, Aging, Experience Sharing/Discussion, Gender Affirming, Legal, Non-Binary, Professional Education, Safety, TransFeminine, TransPeople of Color, Wellness, Workplace, Youth
Gender Affirming Care for Youth
3:30 PM on
Sat, Mar 25
in United States
*This workshop qualifies for Continuing Education Credit
With the deluge of conflicting and confusing information available, it's hard for families of trans and gender-diverse youth to know where to turn. This workshop is designed to give families an overview of what gender affirming care looks like, how to access care, and how to best support youth and young adults in being their happiest and healthiest selves.
Interest Tags: Family/Friends, Gender Affirming, Non-Binary, Professional Education, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color, Youth
Getting Insurance To Pay For Hair Removal
2:00 PM on
Fri, Mar 24
in Harrisburger B
GNC (Afab/Amab) Erasure within Medical/HIV Research
9:00 AM on
Fri, Mar 24
in Penn Harris A
*This workshop qualifies for Continuing Education Credit
When dissecting the current data as it relates HIV/AIDS acquisition and care for T/GNC persons it can be found that there has been an increase in HIV Transmission amongst Trans-Masculine folks over the last few years. Our presentation will be directed towards breaking down current data and the need for better data collection processes for the Trans community holistically. Trans Non-binary and Gender Non-Conforming folx are oftentimes completely erased from the data and research or grouped into other identities based on their "assigned sex at birth." Medical and HIV specific data is often broken down within the binary. With the recent addition of more trans-inclusive data, we have been able to identify additional priority populations that are at risk.
Interest Tags: Advocacy, Gender Affirming, Non-Binary, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color
Hair Today, Hair Tomorrow
9:00 AM on
Thu, Mar 23
in Penn Harris B
Offering knowledge on the nature of hair and hair loss. Helping others understand the wide variety of techniques, products and services available. Whether you are interested in working with the hair you have, keeping your own hair and adding to it, using your own hair as a base for more voluminous hair or completely covering your hair to have a whole new look. Teaching that hair issues occur with every type of person no matter how they arrived to life. And that almost any look can be achieved with proper products and techniques.
Hairway to Heaven
10:30 AM on
Sat, Mar 25
in Leland
Join us for an in-depth workshop about wigs and hair extensions, and gain knowledge about proper application, care, and styling techniques so you can feel like the best version of yourself.
#proudally #saferspace #hairhasnogender
Interest Tags: Advocacy, Family/Friends, Gender Affirming, Non-Binary, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color, Wellness, Youth
Hello World! Taking Those First Steps Out and Maximizing Your Experience at Keystone
10:00 AM on
Wed, Mar 22
in Harrisburger
Are you ready to take your first trip to a salon, shopping and dining out as your authentic self? Members of the Vanity Club, the Debutante Team and the Helping Hand Program will share their trade secrets to feeling comfortable and confident when heading out into the world as your authentic self. These volunteers will also be your guides for all your afternoon activities as you venture out to shop, dine and have your nails done at the salon!
Interest Tags: Experience Sharing/Discussion, Non-Binary, Safety, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color
Immersive Sound Meditation with the Handpan
3:30 PM on
Thu, Mar 23
in William Penn
Transition occurs on many levels and we are all collectively transitioning now from winter into spring, from the chaos of the outside world into inner peace. Join us for a break from the hustle and bustle of the conference with this relaxing immersive sound meditation which will be infused by the melodic, shamanic qualities of the handpan and frame drum. Interwoven with vocalizations, and an assortment of instruments inspired by the natural world – the 4 elements of Air, Wind, Water & Fire – we will oscillate between the stillness of silence and movement of sound to more deeply integrate elemental balance within.
Please arrive comfortably. There will be chairs available for a seated experience, and floor space for a more restful position laying down. Please bring a yoga mat, pillows or bolsters if you wish, and consider bringing water or tea for grounding afterward.
Interest Tags: Advocacy, Aging, Experience Sharing/Discussion, Family/Friends, Gender Affirming, Non-Binary, Professional Education, Relationships, Socializing, Spirituality/Religion, Spouses/Signification Others, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color, Voice, Wellness, Workplace, Youth
Legally Changing Your Name in Pennsylvania
10:30 AM on
Sat, Mar 25
in Governor
Completing a legal name change can feel intimidating. It can also be expensive! The good news is that it doesn’t have to be either of those things. Eastern PA Trans Equity Project has helped hundreds of Pennsylvania residents complete their legal name change and we want to help you too!
Join us as we demystify the legal name change process and provide the guidance you need to complete your legal name change without having to incur the expense of an attorney.
Interest Tags: Gender Affirming, Legal, Non-Binary, Safety, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color, Wellness, Workplace, Youth
Look Like You Have the Perfect Body - Master Styling Tricks for Every Body Shape and Size
3:30 PM on
Thu, Mar 23
in Leland
No woman can wear every outfit and style - there is a science to what type of clothing looks right with which body shape. Do it wrong and look like you've gained 10 lbs and aged 10 years. Do it right and look like you've lost weight and discovered the fountain of youth. Are you ready to get serious about how you present yourself to the world? If so, for the sake of your wallet and your self-confidence, you do not want to miss this class by Master Stylist Lindsey Taub.
Interest Tags: Image & Presentation, Socializing, TransFeminine, TransPeople of Color
Luscious Lips
10:30 AM on
Fri, Mar 24
in Metropolitan B
With the right colors, products and accessories, you can turn even the thinnest of lips into fuller, defined and stunning lips. Learn what products to buy, how to properly draw your own lip line and never again will you have lipstick on your teeth or left behind on your wine glass! Learn all the trade secrets to luscious lips from Esthetician and Makeup Artist Casey Grim.
Interest Tags: Image & Presentation, TransFeminine, TransPeople of Color
Manifesting Body Euphoria through Movement
10:30 AM on
Sat, Mar 25
in Bridgeport
Jules X. Grace is a trans non-binary, gender expansive dancer with over ten years of experience in solo and partner dance styles. Through these ten years, dance and movement practices have been some of the main portals to gender euphoria for them. As they learned how to free their body from expected movement types and roles, they found that this same movement gave them new ideas about freeing themselves from oppressive expectations and roles of sexuality and gender. This workshop will be an exploration in solo and partner movement with dance stylings from ecstatic dance, fusion dance, vogue, contemporary and contact improv. We will dive into practicing movement solo and in partnerships as both a lead and a follow.
Come along on a journey of music and movement as you are invited to find your own portals to gender euphoria. Comfortable clothing is suggested but not required.
Interest Tags: Advocacy, Aging, Experience Sharing/Discussion, Family/Friends, Gender Affirming, Non-Binary, Socializing, Spirituality/Religion, Spouses/Signification Others, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color, Wellness, Youth
Master the Perfect Accessory that Fits in Your Purse & Transforms Every Outfit on a Dime!
10:30 AM on
Fri, Mar 24
in Metropolitan A
The fastest way to change any outfit from day to night and drab to fab is by wearing a scarf but don't just drape it honey, there are 45 different ways to wear it! Learn the top 10 scarf styles that will transform any outfit in your wardrobe in seconds!
BYOS :-) Bring Your Own Scarf to try out all the styles!
Interest Tags: Image & Presentation, Socializing, TransFeminine, TransPeople of Color
My Life Today as a Transgender Woman
3:30 PM on
Sat, Mar 25
in Lochiel
Living a normal life being happy and my true self as a woman, but God had other plans for me.
Interest Tags: Advocacy, Aging, Experience Sharing/Discussion, Family/Friends, Gender Affirming, Military/Veterans, Non-Binary, Relationships, Socializing, Spirituality/Religion, Surgery, TransFeminine, TransPeople of Color, Workplace
Personal Safety and Defense En Femme
9:00 AM on
Sat, Mar 25
in Leland
Avoid becoming a victim of violent crime and live your life in peace. Much needed information will be shared on best practices and most effective tools for personal defense, threat identification and avoidance, legalities of self-defense, the various mindsets surrounding violent crime, use of force and probable outcomes and how to engage with Law Enforcement Officers. You will leave this class feeling better prepared to identify, counteract, and avoid dangerous situations and understand how to protect yourself within the bounds of the law.
Interest Tags: Military/Veterans, Non-Binary, Safety, Socializing, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color, Workplace, Youth
Preventing HIV: Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
9:00 AM on
Fri, Mar 24
in Governor
*This workshop qualifies for Continuing Education Credit
HIV has disproportionately affected LGBTQ+ populations since it's discovery nearly 50 years ago. Though many suffered greatly from HIV, and the disease AIDS, the treatment of HIV has dramatically evolved since then, thanks in large part to LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. Learning objectives:
-describe methods of HIV transmissionz
-discuss goals of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
-discuss appropriate antiretroviral therapies (medications) for PrEP
-summarize services offered and referral process for the Caring Together Program and HIV Care
Interest Tags: TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color, Youth
Shades of You
2:00 PM on
Sat, Mar 25
in Leland
Telling Your Story: The How, When, Why, Who and What of Telling Your Gender Journey Story
10:30 AM on
Thu, Mar 23
in Harrisburger B
Stories are powerful things. They can challenge and inspire us. They also help us to connect to each other. By sharing your gender journey story, your challenges, hopes, dreams, and joys you can make important connections. If the story is well thought out and communicated, it can provide compelling context into who you are and an understanding of the “why” behind your gender journey. In this presentation, you will hear video-taped accounts of gender-journey stories from Rabbi Levi Alter and Rev. Monica Joy Cross and what happened as a result of their sharing. Attendees will have an opportunity to frame and share their gender story in a small group. As a minister to the transgender community for over 20 years, I have seen how coming out as trans and attempting to maintain relationships can be difficult to navigate. Although support for those who identify as transgender is gaining advocates, many in business and mainstream faith communities are just ignorant of transgender issues, and therefore unsupportive. Telling our stories can help to change that.
The workshop includes: 1. Workshop outline that covers the how, when, why, who and what of sharing your gender story. This tool will help you understand your motives, who you need to share to and the best timing on when to share your gender journey. 2. There will be a worksheet available for partners and advocates which will cover, “How to support a loved-one’s, partner’s or friend’s gender journey.” 3. Identify potential problem areas with business, family, friends and spiritual community relationships as you share your gender journey. 4. Learn how to connect with others by partnering with them and supporting their stories. 5. Understand the difference between what we want to communicate, what we actually communicate, and how it is received. 6. Age-specific information and how to present it when sharing your story.
Interest Tags: Advocacy, Experience Sharing/Discussion, Family/Friends, Gender Affirming, Non-Binary, Relationships, Socializing, Spirituality/Religion, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color
The Most Important Parts of Every Woman's Wardrobe, I Guarantee You Don't Have in Your Closet
9:00 AM on
Sat, Mar 25
in Metropolitan C
So many people buy one outfit at a time without looking at the big picture only to have a closet full of clothes they don't wear or have overworn. You can build the stylish, versatile wardrobe every celebrity has on a budget but you have to change the way you shop. In this workshop, I will teach you the stylist secret of the key pieces every woman needs to build a stylish and sophisticated wardrobe. With these pieces you will be able to add, elevate and accessories to create countless outfits that will astonish your friends and keep money in your wallet.
Interest Tags: Image & Presentation, Socializing, TransFeminine, TransPeople of Color
Trans* and Trauma
3:30 PM on
Thu, Mar 23
in United States
*This workshop qualifies for Continuing Education Credit
The presentation will address the multiple traumas encountered by trans* individuals throughout their lifetime. This will include microaggressions, traumas related to daily encounters and brain/body incongruence, and trauma related to systems in which the individuals live. The presentation will, also, address the larger traumas encountered in the forms of transphobia, abuse, and discrimination. Our political climate has altered increasingly since 2016, effecting the trans* community from childhood through adulthood, as well as and the families and professions who support them. Where progress had been achieved, a return to historical phobias and more extensive political oversite now exists due to false facts presented by our political leaders and religious extremists. The current trends, their current impacts, and potential long-term consequences will be addressed in shared examples of client reports in sessions. In addition, statistics and facts established in the previous research conducted by institutions such as the University of Washington related to daily traumas experienced prior to this political change will be shared.
Interest Tags: Advocacy, Family/Friends, Gender Affirming, Legal, Non-Binary, Spouses/Signification Others, TransFeminine, TransMasculine, TransPeople of Color
Transform Any Hair (Wigs Included) with Hair Extensions
2:00 PM on
Fri, Mar 24
in Metropolitan B
Are you trying to grow out your hair and want to make the leap from short to long hair without the wait? Do you have a wig you want to transform from day to night with hot colors, highlights or a longer length? Learn the instant magic that hair extensions can bring to your look and everything you need to know from how to buy, how to apply, when you need a pro and how to care for them with hair and makeup expert Brittany Young.
Interest Tags: Image & Presentation, Military/Veterans, Spouses/Signification Others, TransFeminine, TransPeople of Color
Yes! You Can Become an LGBTQ+ Advocate
9:00 AM on
Sat, Mar 25
in Governor