(Note: Links in italics jump to pictures.)

Over two hundred and fifty persons gathered in Arlington Heights, Illinois just west of Chicago to attend TG 2001, the IFGE 15th Annual Coming Together, Working Together Conference held March 21 -25, 2001. According to Alison Laing (pictured), co-chair of the event held at the Radisson Arlington Heights Hotel, "This is one of the best IFGE Conferences in recent years." The event included a concurrent International Symposium on Trans Medicine and Law with internationally reknowned speakers sponsored by the Rikki Swin Institute (RSI) headquartered in Chicago. The two events featured over 40 presenters covering a wide range of topics as well as evening activities.

The formal opening was held on Thursday morning with a plenary session. Julie Ann Johnson, Chair of the IFGE Board of Directors, opened the plenary speaking on "New Directions for IFGE". The keynote speaker was Miranda Stevens-Miller of It's Time Illinois who, in her speech, called for unity in the transgender community ." The second part of the plenary was a photo slide show presentation by Mariette Pathy-Allen, on Transgender Gatherings: Conventions, Parties, Rallies, Vigils, and Circles.

On Thursday evening, as part of the Conference, attendees were invited to an open house celebrating the official opening of RSI. Guests were bussed into Chicago while receiving a video presentation on RSI and were treated to an elegant reception upon arrival to RSI in center city. Later, participants either returned to the hotel or stayed in Chicago for dinner followed by a show at the famous Baton Club.

At Friday's lunch, Trinity Awards were presented to Joan Goodnight, Penni Ashe Matz, and Holly Ryan. (Penni's award was unknowingly presented posthumously.) Also, IFGE awarded 6 scholarships, totaling $10,000, to transgender identified students in the helping and caring professions through its collaborative Transgender Scholarship and Education Legacy Fund (TSELF - www.tself.org).

The Virginia Prince Award for Lifetime Community Service was presented to Jane Fee at the Saturday luncheon. At the Saturday evening banquet , seventeen people who attended the very first IFGE conference in 1987, also held in the Chicago area, were recognized. This was culminated with a presentation to Marisa Sherrill Lynn recognizing her as a Founding Director and Honorary Life member of the IFGE Board of Directors.

In addition to the wide variety of presentations and the social activities, there were many other exciting things that happened at this conference. Of special note: The Outreach Institute for Gender Studies, presented a pre-conference work shop and held a board meeting. The Fantasia Fair 2001 Planning Committee met as well. Members of Gender Education and Advocacy (GEA) presented a prototype Transgender Advocacy Training session. And of course the IFGE Board and many of its staff and other working groups met during this conference, including the Trustees of the Winslow Street Fund. The WSF also presented a Grant of $500 to GEA for the publication of their writings for general distribution and distribution at their sessions at future conferences.

During the conference, some thirty leaders and political activists gathered at a "Summit Meeting" to discuss how they can create a more Transgender-relevant political coalition or association. The loose association, calling themselves "The Summit," plan to meet at least four times over the next year to review the progress and planning that will be going on during that period.

Of course it was not all work and no play. The conference unofficially opened with a pool party on Wednesday evening. In addition to helping with the sound system, backdrop and stage, the local TG groups were much in evidence in supporting the conference. Thursday's lunch featured a fashion show produced by the local Chicago Gender Society and hosted by Olivia Connors. Friday evening's dinner was a Country Barbecue Buffet and a "TV" Game Show, followed by dancing. The Saturday evening entertainment with a professional FI show, was also arranged by CGS. IFGE expresses their appreciation for all their help and the warm welcome to Chicagoland.

IFGE has announced that TG2002, The 16th Annual IFGE Conference, will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, during March or early April 2002. It will be Co-hosted by the Tennessee Vals and will again include RSI sponsored Distinguished Guest Speakers.

S. Kristine James, Co-Chair of the IFGE Convention Management Team,says, "Join us for this Tennessee Waltz." If you are not on our mailing list, contact: Cioe Enterprises, PO Box 61, Easton, PA 18044-0061 or check the IFGE conference web site at www.ifge.org to get the latest on TG2002.