2016 Gender Spectrum Conference

Compelling studies have demonstrated that “gender identity” is not simply a psychosocial construct, but likely reflects a complex interplay of biologic, environmental, and cultural factors. This session will highlight new understandings about the relationship between biology and gender identity. Influenced by work across multiple aspects of medical science (endocrine, genetic, and neuroanatomic), we are coming to an ever more nuanced recognition of gender’s complexity. Grounded in ongoing research as well as evolving practices from gender and Disorder of Sex Development (DSD) clinical work, the workshop will explore cutting edge ideas about biologic contributions to the development of gender identity. The workshop will also review the prevalence of gender-expansive and transgender youth, and current concepts of endocrine care and the implications for integrating medical, mental health, advocacy, and legal services. 

This session is designed to give participants a foundational understanding of some of the terms and concepts about gender that they will encounter during the conference. Intended for individuals who may be grappling with some of these ideas for the first time, as well as for more experienced participants who may be seeking to hone their own use of gender terminology when speaking with or presenting to others. Workshop will include key terminology, examples of various forms of gender diversity across cultures, and perspectives from gender-expansive youth and their families.

As caretakers and friends of gender expansive children, we often cringe at the gender stereotypes we see portrayed among media. These stereotyped representations, however, offer teachable moments for caretakers and friends of gender expansive youth. Critical media literacy offers a framework to help us become more gender-literate and to help children thoughtfully interact with media messages about gender. Critically questioning common assumptions about gender from media and medical pespectives, participants will leave with the tools they need to foster gender expansiveness in their homes through using, rather than running from, media. 

Afrontar temas de identidad de genero y de niños y niñas transgenero en paises de America Latina o en familias latinas/hispanas genera diversos retos muy particulares. Las familias latinoamericanas pueden afrontar experiencias diferentes a aquellas generadas en otras culturas. Esta sesion, que sera llevada a cabo en Español, tocara esos temas, otorgando la oportunidad a los familiares de compartir sus experiencias, buscar apoyo y encontrar recursos que los ayuden a transitar en su experiencia como padres de niños y niñas transgenero o con una identidad de género diversa.

The gender binary is limiting in both describing the experience of gender, but also in the development of medical and mental health care protocols. This workshop will primarily be a discussion of the approach to caring for non-binary identified youth in the mental and medical health care domains. Led by three experienced clinicians, Johanna Olson-Kennedy, MD; Susan Landon, LMFT and Aydin Olson-Kennedy ACSW, MSW, we will explore the challenges of development, societal integration, language, privilege, and medical decision making for non-binary youth.

Hands on activities to understand how gender is a social construction and how can we recognize, re-think and re- structure what is appropriate for our family. This workshop is based in the real experience of a mother walking true the journey to understand the tears of her child./Taller basado en actividades para comprender como el concepto de genero esta construido por la sociedad y como podemos reconocer, re-pensar y re-estructurar lo que es mas apropiado para nuestra familia. Este taller esta basado en la experiencia real de una madre en su camino por entender las lagrimas de su hija

As parents and caregivers of transgender and gender-expansive youth we must understand our own relationship to gender. This presentation will use interactive exercises to look closely at the experience and development of gender identity, the language we use to describe ourselves and others, how gender gets communicated, and the impact of not fitting into the binary construction of gender. Intersections of identity and the experience of those with multiple levels of marginalization will be explored. Through this process we will better understand our own gender narrative and biases and move toward a better understanding of parental stages of understanding and acceptance, cultural and community issues, meeting the needs of your family, and how to advocate for your child in a transphobic climate.