Gender Odyssey Family’s workshop schedule is designed to address the wide-ranging issues a family raising a gender variant child may encounter. Sessions are led by both leading experts in the field as well as family members navigated this journey with their own child. If you are a professional seeking to increase your knowledge, please consider attending our pre-conference full day session: the Gender Odyssey Professional Seminar on Aug 2, 2012 – Students welcome!
Our conference offers three days of…
- Informational presentations, panel discussions and interactive forums where parents can explore the issues related to raising children who are gender non-conforming
- Incredible opportunities to meet other families from all over the country
- Access to some of the top experts in the country
Conference Programming
2012 programming is in the works! Here’s a sampling of what you can expect to see.
The Medical Needs of Trans Youth: Puberty Delay
The physical changes of puberty often bring about growing distress to gender-questioning youth, as they see an increasing discrepancy between their physical bodies and their innate sense of their own gender. Puberty-blocking agents, such as the GnRH agonist leuprolide (Lupron), have been used for a number of years in gender-questioning youth who are showing the earliest physical changes of adolescence. Delaying puberty allows the young teen a “cooling off” period during which they can concentrate their energies on consolidating their gender identity without having to worry about the ticking clock of puberty. As well, the use of puberty-blocking agents prevents the development of adult physical changes (e.g. breast growth or facial hair), sometimes obviating the need for expensive surgeries or electrolysis down the road. Puberty blockers—when correctly used—have been demonstrated to improve the psychosocial outcomes in transgender youth. This session will address the use of this class of drugs in gender-questioning youth.
The Top 10 Fears
Parents will have the opportunity to discuss some of the most common fears and concerns that may manifest themselves in the journey of raising a transgender or gender variant child. Time will be allotted for families to share their personal experiences with others who may be in need of assistance, as well as gain knowledge and tools to help navigate their own journey.
My Kid Has a Crush, Now What?
Talking to our kids about sex and dating is daunting enough—“the gender stuff” can add a whole new spin that may leave you overwhelmed and even unsure of where to begin. How do you talk to a trans youth about this very important topic? Where’s the manual? Our panelists, selected for their relevant professional or personal experience, will provide frank commentary on this complex issue as a launching pad for this collective brainstorming session. We will explore the world of dating, bodies, and sex and how to incorporate such factors such as disclosure, self-esteem, and safety into the conversation. Have you had these conversations already? What were your strategies? What came up that was expected? Unexpected? Let’s share our experiences and knowledge with each other and find answers for the questions we may still have.
A Dad’s Place
Most of us have role models for fatherhood, but few of us have learned how to be a father to a gender non-conforming child. Fatherhood in our society comes with strong expectations, some of which can make it difficult for us to feel secure in our role. Come share your personal experiences, successes, fears, and other lessons in a confidential environment of acceptance, understanding, and support. You are not alone on this journey: let’s offer one another assistance, understanding, and support. There are two parts to this workshop. You need not attend one session in order to attend the other.
Assessing Adolescent Gender Identity for Possible Medical Intervention
In this session, we will focus on assessing gender identity concerns in children; offer recommendations for providing supportive therapy during the childhood years; and suggest ways to support parents who have a gender variant child. In addition, the issue of an early “social transition” will be addressed, including the pros and cons to consider when contemplating this path. We’ll discuss the evaluation of adolescents for possible medical interventions, such as puberty blocking medication and cross-sex hormone treatment. A description of the Gender Management Service at Boston Children’s Hospital, the most well-established clinic treating transgender adolescents in the US, will be given. Recommendations for working sensitively with transgender youth and common challenging situations that arise for youth and families will be discussed (e.g., medical appointments, school problems, and broader community concerns) with ideas for how to assist families with these issues.
Say It and Play It to Make It: Role-playing
What really happens in elementary school bathrooms? Will the next trip to the neighborhood swimming pool go well without a big splash? How many ways can we answer the questions of boy or girl? Join us as we share and practice the techniques of role-playing with our kids to be better prepared for the planned and unexpected situations we encounter every day while on our gender adventures. Far better than any reality show on TV are the stories we script for ourselves. No specific experience required, open and playful approaches nurtured and welcome!
Self-Harm & the 3 Rs of Avoidance
Self-harm and suicide rates for the overall transgender population remain high, and trans youth are particularly vulnerable. Countless parents, guardians and care providers of trans youth identify self-harm and suicide as their two largest fears. This is a very real, understandable concern, yet one rarely discussed openly. This workshop provides an opportunity to talk about this subject realistically, concentrating on direct ways to keep our kids safe. Because the key factors in each self-instigated tragedy are fundamentally the same, the main focus of this workshop, after identifying significant risk indicators, will be on sharing strategies, tools and techniques with which to assemble an effective practical safety net, one that can provide a full range of supports necessary to facilitate successful navigation of this most incredible, misunderstood and at times even perilous journey to Self. Participation encouraged; not mandatory.
The Medical Needs of Trans Youth: Cross Hormones
Transgender teens and their families often struggle to find appropriate, thorough and sensitive health care services. Up-to-date, informed medical care can greatly increase the positive effects of a teen’s physical gender transition and their overall mental well-being. This workshop focuses primarily on medical intervention for transgender peri-pubertal and adolescent youth. We will cover the use of puberty blockers and cross sex hormones in this population.
Resiliency in Parenting
What is our story as parents and loved ones of gender nonconforming youth? Let’s explore ways in which we seek and find pockets of resiliency in parenting. How do we avoid burn out, find allies, and thrive within both our families and in our communities. Join other family members while we dig a little deeper. As we share our stories, it is our hope that we build new capacity, find support, and fortify our courage and commitment to our children. Note: To provide the most optimal environment, we ask that only parents attend this session.
Differing Parenting Styles
Raising a child has often been described as the hardest job an individual can ever do. Of course, most people raising a child want what’s best for that child. Most want to keep the child safe. Even with these commonalities, the path that each of us take to reach these goals may look very different. These differences can sometimes cause pain, confusion, conflict, and stir up deep fears. We can at times feel lost while navigating these unfamiliar waters and not know where or whom to ask for help, perspective, or support. As married, divorced, and single parenting moms, dads, and other supportive family members, let’s talk.
Putting Canada on the Map
While many factors involved in the raising of transgender and gender nonconforming children and youth are the same as our neighbors to the south, there are some strong differences as well. This workshop, designed by Canadian families from Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, will begin with a panel presentation to provide a baseline of information about issues, resources and networks based on our experience. The majority of the workshop will consist of a facilitated whole group discussion. Let’s learn from each other!
I Love My Son, But I Miss My Daughter: Addressing Grief
This is a group discussion to give voice to the grief that parents experience when their child transitions. This is a safe, non-judgmental time to share, explore, and find fellowship with other parents who are experiencing or have experienced the complex emotions of grief as they navigate this journey. Come share your stories and experiences in this roundtable discussion led by someone who has been there. Note: To provide the most optimal environment, we ask that only parents/guardians attend this session.
Launching Your Transgender or Gender-Variant Child
Preparing a child for life can be challenging even in the best of circumstances. How can we balance social, physical, and financial transitions, our children’s growing need for independence, and our concerns for their safety? This presentation will explore literature on what’s considered the “normative” launching experience in conjunction with the current best-practice knowledge for parenting transgender and gender nonconforming children. The presenters will discuss the considerations, questions, and learning that they’ve experienced having prepared their own children for leaving the nest. Come and share your own challenges and successes as you prepare your children for independent adulthood.
Gender Expert, Really?
Any medical or mental health provider can say they are a “gender expert,” but what does that really mean for you and your child? We will explore the relevance of provider credentials; how to interview and match your expectations to the provider; when/why to switch providers; and how to ensure that you are receiving the level of care that best matches your and/or your child’s needs.
Transitioning Teens and the Adolescent Experience
A teen’s gender transition is complex and often difficult. This workshop addresses the challenges of managing both gender phenotypic transitioning and the tasks of normal adolescent development. Trans teens are determining their intellectual, spiritual, academic, political and sexual identities, while also navigating a poorly educated, and often transphobic, medical community in order to receive necessary treatment. Recent research into adolescent brain development has revealed that the portion of the brain last to develop is the area responsible for impulse control. This area is not completely developed until a youth is well into their twenties. What unique challenges do trans youth face while transitioning during adolescence? This workshop will explore the challenges teens face as well as explore available support services that may be of benefit.
Breaking Up is Hard to Do
When the family of a gender nonconforming child is headed toward divorce or separation, what information is important for a supportive parent to know? Learn from an experienced family law attorney who has worked with parents across the country. What are the best ways to protect your child and your family? Parents are encouraged to share their experiences and bring questions and insights. Of course, your current relationship status is not a pre-requisite for participation in this session.
Don’t Box Me In: Preserving Gender Fluidity
Of course, not all gender non-conforming children are transgender. Some children may feel like a boy one day and a girl the next. Some feel themselves to be a blend of genders, while others don’t feel that they fit into the established gender system at all. How can you help your gender-fluid child thrive in a world based on a binary gender system? With all the pressure to conform, how can you support your child in being their authentic self? Where are the compromises? How can you nurture your child’s self esteem, especially as peers pressure your child to conform? What do you do when your child is struggling or suffering deeply? We’ll examine why it is essential to make space for children who are fluid in their presentation, personal preferences, or identity; how we ourselves can become comfortable with our child’s gender expression, and how to help them find language that reflects who they are.
Taking on the Giants: Insurance
Do you have adequate health care insurance for your gender nonconforming child? Do you even know what your coverage entails? Have you found competent providers who work with you or do they knowingly or unknowingly present barriers? Many families encounter barriers related to geographical region, lack of information, health coverage exclusions, and politicized medical environments. In this facilitated discussion, we will share strategies, success stories, and roadblocks to gaining coverage for your child’s needs. Health insurance exclusions abound but times are changing. Come to this resource sharing session to offer your knowledge/experience and to learn from others.
Creating Gender Inclusive Schools
Most schools wish to create an inclusive, supportive environment for all students. When it comes to transgender and other gender nonconforming students, it is not easy to determine exactly how to create this environment. In this session, we’ll examine the following topics with time left for Q&A.
- Understanding transgender students and the unique considerations they may face.
- Addressing instances of teasing or bullying.
- Gender-segregated spaces such as bathrooms and locker rooms.
- Gender inclusive policies.
- How to address questions of students in an age-appropriate manner.
- Addressing concerns/questions of parents.
- Legal responsibilities in schools.
- Name changes, school IDs, and school records.
- Gender inclusive language in the classroom.
This session is an important step towards educating the entire school community and we hope you’ll join us. There will be time for Q&A as well as addressing specific situations you may have already encountered.
Faith in Jeopardy
Our religious beliefs often present life issues in black and white. What if our family life is not that simple? Where do we turn especially when our religious community is uncomfortable or nonsupportive? Gretchen Holtz decided to ask God for help. In this interactive discussion, Gretchen will share her experience and encourage others to share their stories of faith exploration. This is a multi-faith discussion and will not focus on any particular religion or scripture but rather the common thread of finding peace with the complexities of life and our faith.
Parenting During the Teen/Young Adult Years
How do we help our older kids navigate the complexities of a diverse gender identity? How do we sort out what is a teenage issue versus a gender issue? And, how do we distinguish our own journey from that of our child’s? We are two parents who have transgender young adult children who began their transition during the teen years. It was very important for us to have other parents with whom to share this journey. We hope to expand this rich conversation by exploring the challenges, as well as joys, of our collective parenting experiences. Join us in the interactive discussion.
Access to Gender Odyssey Workshops
The Gender Odyssey conference is held in adjoining rooms at the same time as Gender Odyssey Family. Gender Odyssey Family registrants over 18 years of age may attend any Saturday/Sunday Gender Odyssey conference workshops or events at no additional cost. Registrants aged 13 – 17 may attend Gender Odyssey programming with parental consent (excluding workshops designated 18+.)
2012 programming is in the works! Here’s a sampling of what you can expect to see.
