Race, Class and Transgender: One-Day Training
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Bowen-Thompson Student Union Room # 318
This is the second year that Transcendence, TG Toledo and Transgender Education & Media Project (TEMP) are combining to present an intensive, day-long training on issues related to gender identity, oppression and social justice. This year, the training will continue to stress basic cultural competency in trans issues (i.e. Trans 101) but will significantly factor in the importance of an intersectional approach, particularly attention to race and class. We will discuss the whiteness and middle-class-ness of many transgender communities and the need to interrogate white privilege, institutionalized racism and the invisibility of classism and socio-economic status. We will discuss the responsibility of white people for challenging white supremacy and becoming allies to people of color. In addition, we will brainstorm ways to make class visible, to economically empower our communities and to challenge middle-class privilege. We will discuss the plight of transgender prisoners and sex workers in the
Transgender Education and Media Project (TEMP)
The Transgender Education and Media Project (TEMP) is a collaborative endeavor dedicated to increasing awareness of transgender people and concerns in Northwest,
TEMP is a two-pronged educational effort to increase knowledge of gender-variant people through the formation of a Speaker’s Bureau and the creation of a training video. For the Speaker’s Bureau, we aim to train transgender and allied people in the area to be able to speak to social service agencies, community and civic groups, and high school and university classes to increase people’s understanding of gender identity, transphobia and the need for acceptance. In addition, we aim to create a 25-minute videotape about the experiences of transgender people in Northwest,
We also are confidant that TEMP will help to lessen prejudice, build bridges in the community, and encourage transgender people to use their voice and artistic vision in the creation of a more just and diverse world. Like the civil rights, feminist, and LesBiGay movements, the fight for transgender equality is an important social justice movement dedicated to advancing rights for a vastly misunderstood and disenfranchised minority group. This project is meant to be one more humble contribution to engendering a world free of hate.
In January of 2007, we received a grant from the Partnership for Community Action and Center for Innovative Transformative Education (PCA/CITE) Partnership Support Grant program. Thanks to PCA/CITE for helping to fund our work!
We had our FIRST panel on April 24 at Owen's Community College, Findley Branch. Additional Panels to be determined.
If you are INTERESTED in hosting a transgender/ally panel in your class, group or agency, please email Co-Directors Joelle Ruby Ryan and Marlene Bomer at joeller@bgsu.edu and marlenebomer@yahoo.com to discuss your scheduling and programming needs.
Our Transcendence Speaker's Bureau Training, funded by PCA/CITE, was held on: Saturday, March 17, 2007, 11 AM-4 PM in 208 BTSU
As part of the Transcendence Grant for Transgender Education and Media Project (TEMP), we will be hosting a Speaker's Bureau Training. People (trans-identified
and allies) who are interested in becoming trained to do presentations on trans issues in classes, community groups and social service organizations, are welcome to join us. If you are interested in registering to become one of our panel-trained speakers, please RSVP to Joelle (joeller@bgsu.edu) by March 12. In addition, anyone interested in learning more about trans issues is welcome to attend. No previous knowledge of trans issues or public speaking is required.
11-1: Transgender/Intersex: The Basics and Beyond In this morning session, we will have a powerpoint presentation on trans/intersex issues and view a short training film. We will discuss how to successfully present an overview of sex/gender diversity, and how to tailor the material to your audience.
1-2: LUNCH PROVIDED
2-3: Overcoming Cultural Transphobia: Working for Social Change
The main objective of TEMP is to educate and to reduce prejudice. In this hour, we will discuss transphobia and how it is manifested in US cultural institutions. In addition, we will discuss how transphobia intersects with racism, classism and ableism. How can
we use our voice to help dispel myths and combat transphobic prejudice?
3-4: "They Asked You What?" : Public Speaking on Transgender Issues
In our final hour together, we will share tips for effective public speaking and communication. We will discuss resistance, audiences that are silent, and how
to deal with conflict based on differing ideology or religious beliefs. We will have a "mock" panel wherethose being trained can be asked sample questions and practice their responses in a safe environment.
All registered panel trainees received a binder of helpful information and resources. Thanks to everyone for a great training!
VIDEO PROJECT
The video project is currently underway. It is a 30 minute film which will focus on trans, drag and genderqueer issues. The members of Joelle Ruby Ryan's Spring 2007 class "Queerly Framed: GLBT Lives in Documentary Film" worked on the project from January-April 2007. They have contacted a number of performers, community members and academics and taped interviews and B-Roll footage. The tentative title of the film is "Genderfucked." In the Summer of 2007, we hope to shoot some additional footage and to begin the editing process. It is our sincere hope to complete the film in 2008. We could truly use your help and support to complete the process. If you would like to help, please contact Assistant Producer Joe Aufenthie at jaaufen@bgnet.bgsu.edu.