Gearbits
April 2013
   
Date: April 22, 2013
Time: 7:00 - 9:00pm
Location:  Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
(1110 N. Market Street, 2nd floor, Milwaukee, WI)

As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, FORGE and the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center's Anti-Violence Project will be co-hosting the free screening of the film Boys and Men Healing on Monday, April 22, 2013.

FORGE staff will lead a discussion following the film.  More details are available at... http://forge-forward.org/event/boys-and-men-healing-film-screening/

Learn more about the film here:  http://www.bigvoicepictures.com/boys-and-men-healing/

April Social Support Meeting
"Trans Policy Issues"

Time: 7:30 - 9:00pm
Date:  Saturday, April 27, 2013
Location:  Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
(1110 N. Market Street, 2nd floor, Milwaukee, WI)



Description:  Vice President Joe Biden said that discrimination against trans people is the "civil rights of our time."  Every year, more and more changes for the positive for trans and LGBQ individuals.  Policies change - on local, state and federal levels - are influencing the lives of trans people and loved ones in profound ways.  Come learn about some of the improvements that happened 2012-2013, and the direction of new initiative that will support and serve trans people in years to come.  


 
Open Discussion
April 27, 2013 - 6:00  - 7:15pm
Before every monthly meeting, we devote time to explore the issues you bring in.  During this gently facilitated time, we encourage you to share your experiences and stories, ask questions, seek referrals, gather resources, and connect with others.  All are welcome.  <Learn more>

D'Elle Lowe Celebration of Life

On Saturday, April 13, 2013, the chapel at the Unitarian Church on Astor was overflowing with people from all parts of D'Elle's life who came together to remember her through music, words, and conversation with others who knew her.  

She will be deeply missed by those who knew her and loved her.  Please continue to keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.



Where's Mara?
Did you hear Mara Keisling speak live at UW-Milwaukee, Marquette University, or in Appleton at Lawrence University?  Mara Keisling is the Executive Director for the National Center for Transgender Equality - a national organization that is extremely busy and effective in making substantial policy changes to improve the lives of all trans people and loved ones.  Mara is fiercely funny, with a brilliant mind and boundless energy.


Learn more about Mara's work at NCTE by going to transequality.org or watch her on a recording of the Melissa Harris Perry show (http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/01/16/mhp-transgender-report-nominated-for-glaad-media-award/)


Immigration reform is a trans issue 

As thousands gather in Washington, DC in support of immigration reform, the National Center for Transgender Equality and over 30 transgender service and advocacy groups - including FORGE --  released a Statement of Principles on Immigration Reform. The statement outlines fundamental policies critical for reform that affect the estimated 20,000 undocumented transgender adults in the U.S., and thousands of transgender youth who came to the U.S. at an early age and also lack legal status.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).  Many agencies are hosting events or raising awareness about sexual assault during the month.  Although FORGE's only local activity for SAAM is co-hosting the screening of Boys and Men Healing (http://forge-forward.org/event/boys-and-men-healing-film-screening/), we have been tweeting daily about the intersections of transness and sexual assault.

If you aren't already following us on Twitter, please do!  (http://www.twitter.com/FORGEforward )  You may also be interested in a short blog post about the popular, but controversial "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" events, posted on our website at http://forge-forward.org/2013/04/walk-a-mile/

Trans Conferences
Do you want to connect with other trans people and loved one?  Want to expand your knowledge about trans issues of all kinds?  Trans* conferences are a great way to meet new people and have a lot of fun.

Two upcoming conferences are the Trans Ohio Symposium  (http://transohio.wordpress.com/ ) -- April 27 - 18, 2013 -- in Columbus, OH and the Trans Health Conference (http://www.trans-health.org/) -June 13 - 15, 2013 - in Philadelphia, PA.


Mark Your Calendars!
Save the dates for the next social support group meetings.

May 25, 2013
Topic: TBA

June 7-9, 2013

PrideFest

 

June 22, 2013
Guest Speaker: Cary Costello
July 27, 2013
Trans parenting panel

August 24, 2013
Guest speaker: Laura Sette
<more information about monthly meetings>
FORGE is a progressive organization whose mission is to support, educate and advocate for the rights and lives of transgender individuals and SOFFAs (Significant Others, Friends, Family, and Allies). FORGE is dedicated to helping move fragmented communities beyond identity politics and forge a movement that embraces and empowers our diverse complexities.

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PO Box 1272 | Milwaukee, WI  53201
414-559-2123