Upcoming projects and activism:
Ongoing:
Mass grassroots campaign to remove Gender Identity as a "mental disorder" from the American Psychiatrist Association's Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Trans Strategy Conference - "Out of Darkness Comes Light"
Location: Soka University of America, Aliso Viejo, CA (conference area TBA)
Date: Saturday October 2nd - Sunday October 3rd 2010
Time: 10:30 AM on Saturday / 12:30 PM on Sunday
This conference is open to EVERYONE Please RSVP if you can so we have a rough idea how many people are attending
This is a dynamic and engaging conference for prioritizing and planning an effective strategy of vigorous ground activism/advocacy/action, to include:
*Education of the general public and institutions, especially of areas where Trans people are rarely heard of or considered, utilizing in depth heart to heart discourse, common ground engagement and positive bridge building.
*Blunting stigmatization of Trans people, as well as ending the gross misappropriation, silencing and "invisibling" of Trans people by some elements of the LGB and Cisgender sectors in society.
*Creative activism against Gender Identity held as "mental disorder" within the APA's Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - STP 2012 / Report from the 2010 Barcelona Conference.
*Building a Trans Activism machine that can act independently, with any ally support as an added "bonus", not total dependency.
*Finally challenging Transphobic institutions, initiating supported litigation when called for.
*Transgender housing, (LGB and women in need) HIV, transitional living program - national / international-partner linked.
*Launching a response & communications network for Trans people based on existing successful models and creativity.
*Officially launching Counter - Media platforms and resources that can broadcast positive and empowering images of Trans people, thus challenging the negative media image(s) of Trans people;
- increasing and raising the volume of our voices.
*Push for ENDA - and alternatives to this if necessary.
*Creative solutions for mitigating Anti - Trans violence/hate crimes. Discuss ground work for a realistic victim and community outreach initiative.
*Significant organizations, such as the ACLU, Lambda Legal, Sylvia Rivera Law Center, TIP, Radical Women,GLAD, NLGTF, GLAAD, NOW, TFA, TransUnited, TransHaven, GASS, TransAngels, Gender Justice, contributory UK/European/Asian/Latin American/African entities and Board members of the Guardian Angels, are just some prospective participants invited to attend.
*There are opportunities for individuals or groups at the conference to make presentations -
please provide an abstract or outline of your presentation no more than 2 weeks in advance of the conference.
The cost of this conference is free, although donations to be used for trans people in need, would definitely be appreciated!
If any maps and/or directions are needed for the area, please don't hesitate to request them:
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-An electric cart for those with disabilities is available with advance reservations specifying that the cart is needed.
-Breakout sessions can be flexibly scheduled throughout the conference.
-There will be a special motivational and success training presentation on Saturday (time TBA).
-We will also host a live "2-way" online video feed at the conference, so that remote attendees will have a chance to significantly contribute - we'll be giving out secure pass words and log-on information beforehand.
Also, we will produce a DVD of the conference highlights which is free, we ask for any small donation if possible to help compensate for the cost of making the DVDs.
Meals and catering -Breakfast/Brunch and Dinner on campus subsidized by the GIEC, will be available during the conference. -The Bistro Cafe on the campus of Soka University serves fresh, very well prepared great all-you-can-eat buffet meals prepared by contract chefs.
-If there are any dietary needs (such as vegetarian, vegan or modified diet) please let us know ahead of the conference.
Detailed information for hotel and residential host lodging and transportation:
When calling to book a room at either of the hotels below, please mention that you are with the GIEC Soka Conference:
-Ayers Inn (with GIEC 50 % subsidized overnight weekend group rate per room) : $70.00
Queen, King and double beds.
Web: http://www.ayreshotels.com/lagunawoods/
-Hills Hotel (with GIEC 50 % subsidized overnight weekend group rate per room) : $65.00
Queen, King and double beds.
Web: http://www.thelagunahillshotel.com/
A free shuttle/limo service will be available for transportation to and from the conference, airport pick up/drop off, as well as for shopping and outing convenience.
***Limited Scholarships will be available for those needing financial assistance to attend this event (for travel, lodging assistance and subsidized meals)***. . Contact
Katerina G. du Lac
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1 (415) 678 8043
HOUSING PROGRAM
One of the programs we will be working to duplicate this throughout the country, region by region, is a Transgender Housing Program that will help provide housing for transgenders so they have a safe haven to transition and be themselves. We are working at providing short and long term housing, case management, relevant therapy, drug intervention and treatment referral, legal resources and representation, skills training, social reintegration and contribution program. First stage of housing program is to provide safe housing. GIEC Vice President, Katerina G. du Lac, has begun implementing this program in the Bay Area with the collaboration and help from "Our Father's SLE" as well as other housing entities, one house at a time.
GIEC Academic Initiative
Introducing the GIEC Academic Initiative: An online program that links people to MIT's (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and University of California, Berkley's free online courseware programs. An independent examination program (CLEP - College Level Examination Program) is available for those wanting to gain academic credit for the knowledge gained from these two great opportunities. GIEC volunteers will help link you to a way to accomplish that.
This allows Trans people to take enlightening courses and begin to pursue a degree online at home; All for little or no cost compared to attending a traditional university that is steadily becoming expensive. The savings? Several thousands of dollars versus $70.00 per exam for credit (paid to CLEP)
(course textbooks may be available for download free through the MIT Opencourseware website).
GIEC will be setting aside a small grant initiative to help defray the costs for CLEP examinations.
Send inquires and interest to: [email protected]