The line up for the first Saturday of each month is:

 

 

 
If you work with elders or with transgender people, there's a CEU-granting training in Chicago on April 17, 2009 that you can't afford to miss.
 
For the past ten years, FORGE's Transgender Aging Network (TAN) has been the only organization in the world devoted solely to researching, supporting, advocating for, and providing services to transgender elders and the providers who serve them.  On April 17, 2009, in conjunction with SAGE-Chicago and The Center on Halsted, TAN is going to condense all that expertise into an aptly-named, all-day Transgender Aging Intensivedesigned specifically for people like you.  We'll start with a transgender 101 to give us all common language and concepts before diving into trans elder-specific needs and concerns, and end with concrete advice about designing or adapting aging or transgender services for transgender elders.  Along the way we'll review data, use case studies, problem-solve around concerns you bring in, and spend plenty of time sharing experiences.
 
The Intensive will be led by TAN's founding Executive Director, Loree Cook-Daniels.  Cook-Daniels has 30 years' experience both as an aging policy analyst and as an advocate for and educator about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.  She has been a featured trainer on transgender aging issues at conferences hosted by the American Psychological Association, AARP, the American Society on Aging, SAGE-New York, and many others.  Her articles and chapters on transgender aging issues have appeared in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Aging: Research and Clinical Perspectives, The Journal of GLBT Family Studies, Victimization of the Elderly and Disabled, and OutWord, among others.  Many of her transgender aging articles are available online at no cost, at http://www.forge-forward.org/tan/publications.php. 
   
The Intensive fee of $100 includes lunch and snacks, a take-home reference binder, a CEU certificate, and tools and concepts you can use in your day-to-day work.  If you're traveling from out of state, a discounted rate at a nearby hotel is available; email tan@forge-forward.org for details.  Pre-registration is required; register online at http://www.forge-forward.org/tan/intensive.php
 
Questions?  Email tan@forge-forward.org or call 414-559-2123.


 

 
 
Don't worry, FORGE is still planning a densely packed Financial Survival Day.  Originally scheduled for February, this event is pushed back to allow for more involvement from other organizations and individuals.  We'll let you know when a date has been set.

 

Collaborative events (nearly) always offer extraordinary and delightful complexity, by melding together people from diverse backgrounds and organizations with entrenched traditions.

 

FORGE is perpetually awed by how diverse and inspiring our community is. We are so moved by the beauty of the Paris is Burning film screening and discussion on Friday, February 27, 2009, that we wanted to share a few concepts here in Gearbits.

 

Since each of the three sponsoring organizations -- FORGE, SHEBA, and Project Q -- have their own standing ground rules for their own meetings, we felt it important to establish group ground rules prior to discussing the film, so we would all be on the same page and be able to have a respectful and meaningful conversation.   

 

Among other suggestions, three great ground rule phrases were offered by Project Q youth:

I'm continually amazed at the creativity of capturing very simple concepts in charming new ways!

 

These three very basic rules would benefit us all if we applied them in our daily lives -- not just in facilitated support groups and workshops!

 

Thank you Project Q and SHEBA for joining FORGE at this wonderful, enriching event!

Date: Saturday, Sat, March 7, 2009

 

Refreshments will be served at the reception.  Exhibit and online auction will run during the month of March. The Lesbian Alliance, SAGE Milwaukee, FORGE, Connexus, Diverse and Resilient, The Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival, The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center and PFLAG cosponsor this art exhibition for people of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally community/ies. The juried show is focused on answering the question "Who, what, or where is your 'family' as a member of the LGBT Community?" Artworks are on display from all over the country - check it out. Free and open to the public. For info call 414-272-9442 or e-mail MilwaukeeLGBTArt@gmail.com

 

[Drop in at this reception before attending the FORGE social support meeting directly afterwards!]

 

 

Saturday, February 28, 2009
9:00pm
Miramar (Oakland and Locust).
 
Dig out your surf shorts and get lei'd with the kings.
$7 cover for 18 & older.
VIP afterparty at Monkey Bar.
See www.miltownkings.com for more info.

_________________________________________

 
U PEOPLE - Film at UWM 
Thursday, March 12, 2009
7:00pm.
Free.

Join the Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival for these winter screenings in the UWM Union Theatre, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd. (second floor). U People is an accidental documentary: an entire cast and crew of 30 gay, straight women and trans folks of color were caught on camera behind the scenes of a not-so-typical music video shoot. What these cameras revealed will open hearts and minds to women who are too often boxed and never fully realized in media. U People highlights intimate stories of struggle and triumph over prejudice, relationships between mothers and daughters, and civil rights. Hanifah Walidah and Olive Demetrius, USA, 76 min., video, 2007. Filmmakers in attendance. Presented by the LGBT Resource Center, the Women's Resource Center, the Women without Borders Film Festival, and Sociocultural Programming.
 
For info call 414-229-4070 or see www.uniontheatre.uwm.edu

 

 

Have you attended a FORGE event that you'd like to share with others?  FORGE is looking for contributors to briefly share highlights or reflections on FORGE events so others who were unable to attend can get a flavor for the experience.

 

Send contributions to info@forge-forward.org with the subject "Gearbits".

Although everyone is welcome at any FORGE meeting, some meetings are designed with particular audiences in mind.  These symbols indicate the focus of particular events and meetings.

 

Geared towards the entire transgender/gender non-conforming community and SOFFAs

 

 

 

Geared towards trans-masculine folks and SOFFAs

 

 

 

Reverse Inclusion: A trans+/SOFFA organization is hosting an event that welcomes the broader LGBTQIA (and straight) community.