| Presenters and Workshop Leaders |
| Sam Allen LPC Sam Allen, LPC is a licensed psychotherapist and consultant who has worked with the TG community for more than 25 years. He has provided consulting services to over 70 media organizations, including PBS, The Discovery Channel, HBO, and A&E. Sam also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the annual Southern Comfort Conference, and twice served as Conference Chair of SCC. |
| Electrology Instruct Suzanne Anderer LE,CPE Practioneer over 30 years in electrolysis. School owner/director 28 years. Educator in electrolysis 30 years. Ms. Anderer developed the SIMPLE technique in permanent hair removal 9 years ago. This application of single needle type electrolysis resembles the original treatment of DC multi needle current developed over 125 years age in that the ENTIRE dermis is treated completely and permanently in one treatment to each hair if the technique is properly used. The current is an AC heating method that is less invasive to tissue thereby resulting in less recovery and no ill effects to the epidermis. This cost effective option to unwanted hair is truly the gold standard of the industry. In conclusion of the lecture a brief demonstration is offered and Q&A's are encouraged. |
| Ms Jennifer Barge Jennifer M. Barge is an award winning make up artist and hair stylist. She has been in the biz of beauty for 24 years. A transwoman since the age of 14, she is an HIV/AIDS activist and educator and does counseling in that field. Now residing in the Asheville area where she has a monthly column, Transfor[u]m, appearing in the paper Out in Asheville. Jennifer works at The Marc Edward Salon in Asheville where she is salon coordinator and make up educator. Founder of JMB Transformations. She also taught Sexy Safer Sex classes this year at the Southern Comfort Conference and at Fantasia Fair. |
| Ms. Stephanie Battaglino Stephanie Battaglino is a Communications Director at New York Life Insurance Company She successfully transitioned on the job in 2005, the first to do so in the 163–year history of the company. Stephanie’s career spans over 25 years in marketing, marketing communications and related fields. She spearheaded the formation of NYLPride, the first-ever LGBT employee network group in the history of the company in 2007. She is also active in the metro New York chapter of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates: the pre-eminent national organization devoted to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in the workplace. Stephanie holds the position of Secretary on the Board of Directors of IFGE, and is the Chair of their endowment fund, the Winslow Street Fund. She has written for Transgender Tapestry magazine and has been an active member in New Jersey’s trans-activist organization, the Gender Rights Advocacy Association of New Jersey (GRAANJ). She was recently named as the sole transgender representative on the Oasis Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, New Jersey, whose mission is to foster a greater awareness and understanding of the LGBT community throughout its 120+ congregations. She also presents various motivational and experiential workshops and speaks regularly on behalf of the transgendered community at colleges, churches, businesses and community groups throughout the New York metropolitan area. Stephanie received her BA in Communication from the University of Delaware and has an MBA in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She and her son reside in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. |
| Ms Judith Bienvenu Currently mid-transition. Member of the local TGEA trans-support group in the metro DC area. |
| Dr. Jennifer Burnett Assist. Professor of Community Medicine, UCSF-Fresno; Faculty- Fresno Family Practice Residency Program. Board-Certified in Family Practice; Fellow- AAFP. Member- WPATH/HBIGDA, IFGE; CAB Delegate- Centers of Excellence for TG Healthcare; Practicing Physician, Selma CA- Family Medicine with Obstetrics & Transgender Medicine. I have done multiple, short-term medical missions in 13 different countries and am very active in my church. I have been a presenter at multiple TG Conferences including IFGE and Esprit, on a number of topics including: Christianity and GID- Reconciling Your Faith, Cross-Gender Hormone Treatment for GID and 'Wholistic' Healthcare for T's: Before, During and After Transitioning. |
| Monica Canfield-Lenfest Monica Canfield-Lenfest is the author of COLAGE's Kids of Trans Resource Guide, which is available online at www.colage.org/programs/trans. She has presented about children of transgender parents at a number of transgender conferences including IFGE, Southern Comfort, and WPATH. As the adult daughter of a transgender woman, Monica seeks to combat transphobia by developing resources and building community with transgender families. |
| Yvonne Cook-Riley Yvonne Cook-Riley: Elder, visionary, pioneer, author, artists, spiritual leader, teacher, ceremonialist and drummer. |
| Richard Docter PhD Richard Docter is a clinical psychologist/gender researcher and a Professor of Psychology (Emeritus), from California State University, Northridge. He is the author of Transvestites and Transsexuals (Plenum Press, 1988), and of biographies of Virginia Prince (2004) and Christine Jorgensen (2008). |
| Dr. Sidney Ecker M.D. Dr. Sidney Ecker is a former Clinical Professor of Urology at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC and Chief of Urology at the DC VA Medical Center, where he has cared for Transgender patients. He is the former Medical Writer for Transgender Forum, Renaissance Community News and Transgender Education Association, where he has written over 50 medical articles as Cerise Richards, M.D. His Presentation will be part of a Symposium, “The Neurobiological Evidence for Transgenderism”, to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in May 2009. |
| Dr. Miqqi Alicia Gilbert Miqqi Alicia Gilbert, Ph.D. aka Michael A. Gilbert is a Full Professor of Philosophy at York University, Toronto, Canada. S/he is probably best known for her many columns and articles in the magazine of the IFGE, Transgender Tapestry, and elsewhere. S/he has given numerous talks and workshops, and her writing is widely reproduced in local club newsletters and on the Internet. S/he is the book review editor for Transgender Tapestry, a recipient, in 2007, of an IFGE Trinity Award, and Director of Fantasia Fair. Web site: www.yorku.ca/gilbert/tg |
| Dr. Mekah Gordon, Ph.D. Pioneering Frontier Renaissance Woman & Visionary Human Rights Advocate/Activist - Educator/Consultant - Freelance Writer-TG Issues - Santa Fe Regional Editor/ Southwest LGBT Press - Member of the NMSPC (New Mexico Suicide Prevention Coalition), Recipient, of the prestige's, "2007 Commitment to Care Award" from the Alliance for Gender Awareness - Full membership World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH; formerly known as the Harry Benjamin Gender Dysphoria Association or HBIGDA), Executive Director of the Emerald City Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit (www.emeraldcityfoundation.org), under the auspices of RainbowVision Properties, SF, NM. Founder/CEO ~ S. U. R. E. Foundation® SUREducation@aol.com |
| Debbie Haglund Debbie Haglund is a strong advocate for helping individuals move from being a victim of their circumstance, to the victory of being a survivor and then motivating beyond surviving to thriving in one's purpose. Over the last 12 years, she has been a guest speaker, presented workshops and facilitated small groups including families with special needs children and woman who have been victims of assault and abuse. During the last several years she has become a strong gg advocate for the transgendered community. Debbie works for Systems 81 Consulting, a full service HR firm and various non profits. |
| Debbie Hahn Debbie is a published author, educator and trainer for a fortune 50 company. Her primary focus is working with executives to enhance critical thinking, communications and media skills. She has been very active in the local and national TG community since 1991. She has published well over 100 articles in various TG publications, served on the TGEA Board of Directors for 7-terms, and has participated in well over 50 outreach presentations. |
| Ms. Bree Hartlage Bree Hartlage is an advocate of equal human rights to all, with specific interest towards the inclusion of our Transgender community. Ms. Hartlage has a Masters of Public Administration from Indiana University (2004) and a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering from the University of Louisville (1980). Ms. Hartlage is a US Army veteran, with 3 years active duty service as a tactical communications officer in the 25th Infantry Division (1981-1984) followed by 7 years in the US Army Reserve. Ms. Hartlage is a career federal civil servant, with nearly 30 years of service working for the Department of the Navy as an engineer. Ms. Hartlage has served as a board member of the Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance (INTRAA) and of IFGE, with the additional responsibility of being the Chairperson of the Winslow Street Fund. Ms. Hartlage is a member of the following organizations, IFGE, NCTE, NGTLF (the Task Force), TAVA and TCPA. |
| Dr. Reinhardt Heuer I am a full Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Temple University specializing in voice disorders and transgendered communication problems. I am also Senior Researcher in Voice at the American Institute for Voice and Ear Research. I have given many workshops at I.F.G.E. and at Fantasia Fair. I have been working with the transgendered community since 1972. |
| Reese Kelly I am a queer transman academic from Michigan, now living in Albany, NY. I am currently working on my dissertation focused on Trans identities for the Department of Sociology at the University of Albany – SUNY where I also teach classes on Gender, Sexuality, Social Theory, and LGBTQ Studies. |
| Miss Amrita Khemka I am an undergraduate student currently pursuing law at the NALSAR University of Law. I am interested in socio-legal issues and the role which the judiciary plays while dealing with such issues. I believe that the issue of legal recognition of third gender has not been dealt by the legal professionals in a proper manner and that the same needs to be looked at. My research paper highlights the issue of post-operative transsexuals and I wish to point out the discrimination they face today in society. |
| Dr. Sherman Leis Sherman N. Leis, D.O., F.A.C.O.S. is Professor and Chairman of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Residency Program Director in Plastic Surgery at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is also Director and Chief Surgeon of the Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery. The Center represents a team of more than thirty professionals who have expertise in servicing the surgical and non-surgical needs of transgender individuals. It is one of the few comprehensive centers of its type in the United States. He is a founding member and Past President of the ACOS Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and a member of the Board of Governors of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. |
| Sassafras Lowrey Sassafras Lowrey is a queer author and storyteller who believes that everyone has a story to tell, and that the telling of stories is essential in the creation of social change. Sassafras is the editor of the celebrated Kicked Out anthology which brings together the voices of current and former homeless LGBTQ youth. Ze is also the author of GSA to Marriage: Stories of a Life Lived Queerly, a collection of stories which chart a sometimes perilous journey to adulthood through the lessons learned in escaping the demons of one's past. More information about Sassafras can be found online at www.pomofreakshow.com |
| Dr. Toby Meltzer Dr. Toby Meltzer graduated from LSU Medical School in 1983 and is board certified in both General and Plastic Surgery. He is an active member of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. He started practicing at Oregon Health Sciences University in 1990 and began private practice in 1996 in Portland, Oregon. He moved Scottsdale, Arizona in 1993. He has privileges at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Campus at the Greenbaum Surgery Center and Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Campus. Dr. Meltzer performs approximately 200 Genital Reconstruction Surgery (GRS) cases per year. He performs both MTF and FTM genital reconstruction surgery. He works with a team for FtM GRS which includes both a Urologist and an OB/Gyn. In addition, Dr. Meltzer performs surgery to feminize the face and body as well as standard cosmetic procedures. |
| Dan Mouer PhD I am a retired anthropologist/professor married to Robin for 27 years. My spouse came out to me as transsexual (FtM) four years ago and we are in continuing transition together, now living as a same-sex married couple. I have been very active in trans and SO peer support groups throughout this time. I currently serve as Secretary and member of the Board of Directors of PFLAG-TNET. I also am owner of an online support group for males partnered with FtMs, The Boyz Club. I am a member of the chat staff and Wiki staff at Susan's Place Transgender Resources. |
| Dr Maureen Osborne Dr. Maureen Osborne is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years experience as a therapist, specializing in gender identity issues for the last 15 years. She earned her Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1984, and is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), and Division 44 of the APA, a subcommitteee dealing with GLBT issues. Dr. Osborne’s theoretical orientation and training in Contextual Family Therapy has led to an interest in relational ethics and justice dynamics as they apply to the transgender journey. She has presented talks and workshops at many different national and international gender conferences, and was featured in the MSNBC documentary, "A Change of Gender." Dr. Osborne maintains a private practice in Malvern, PA. |
| Kim Pearson Kim Pearson, is Executive Director/Co-Founder of TransYouth Family Allies (TYFA) and National Board President of PFLAG-TNET. She first directed her energy into GLBT support, advocacy and education as the founder and president of her local PFLAG Chapter when the youngest of her three children came out as lesbian in 2005. Eighteen months later she found herself facilitating that same child’s transition to living life as a young man. Fueled by her passion for ensuring respect and equal rights for children like hers she co-founded TYFA, the first and only national organization that supports, educates and advocates exclusively for gender variant and transgender children. In its short history TYFA has provided support to over 100 families, and training to hundreds of GLBT organizations, service professionals and government officials all over the United States. TYFA and their families have been featured on several ocal/national radio programs, national/regional television and numerous print articles. |
| Kathe Perez MA, CCC-SLP Kathe Perez is a certified speech-language pathologist with 22 years of clinical experience. She has been providing voice feminization therapy for MtF people for years. Her therapy program has received international acclaim and is available on audio CDs and MP3 downloadable files. Kathe's tried-and-true techniques have helped thousands gain confidence in the way they speak. |
| Melissa Regan Melissa Regan is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and interactive media designer. Melissa has produced and directed a number of short documentaries for clients, including a 30th Anniversary video for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and an award-winning series for The Coca-Cola Company documenting their water and sanitation projects underway in Africa with the United States Agency for International Development and CARE. Melissa produced and directed the film No Dumb Questions, the funny and poignant documentary about three young sisters whose Uncle Bill is becoming their Aunt Barbara. www.nodumbquestions.com |
| Dr. Marisa Richmond Marisa is President of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the National Center for Transgender Equality. She is a former Board Member of AEGIS, IFGE, NTAC, Tennessee Equality Project, and Nashville’s Rainbow Community Center and Tennessee Vals. She served as the Co-Chair of Southern Comfort Conference 2001 and chaired the host committee for the Tennessee Waltz, the 2002 IFGE Convention in her hometown of Nashville and, in 2004, she served on the planning committee for Nashville Black Pride. She currently writes for Triangle Journal News in Memphis, and is a former columnist for Out & About Nashville and Transgender Community News. During 2002 IFGE convention in Nashville, she was a recipient of the Trinity Award for contributions to the Transgender Community. She has also received awards from the Tennessee Vals, Human Rights Campaign of Nashville, and Baltimore Black Pride. In 2008, she became to first openly transgender person to win an election in Tennessee, and the first African American transgender delegate to the Democratic National Convention. |
| Elsworth Rockefeller Elsworth Rockefeller is Chief of Young Adult Services for the District of Columbia Public Library System. He serves on the Young Adult Library Association’s (a division of the American Library Association) Best Books for Young Adults Committee. He reviews young adult literature for a number of professional journals, has written articles focused on transgender characters in young adult fiction for The Horn Book Magazine and The Journal of LGBT Youth, and presented on the topic at the 2007 FORGE Conference in Milwaukee, WI. |
| Gretchen Ruck Ms. Ruck lives in New York City where she works at a Big-4 Accounting firm. Leveraging her personal experience openly transitioned on the job, she has helped other organizations and individuals tackle workplace gender transition. Ms. Ruck has spoken at conferences and events for both professionals and students to explore successful transition tools and resources and to discuss the challenges faced by those who are transgendered or gender-variant. |
| Jeanine Ruhsam Jeanine Ruhsam has struggled relentlessly for many years as s/he’s sought to find peace living life as a dual gendered person S/he's suffered the pain that so many have from being out as a trans person, and yet s/he's been lifted to her highest at the same time. A parent, a divorcee, a successful business person of a few careers, s/he lives happily with hir spouse Julia in Harrisburg, PA. Not all man and not all woman, she strives daily to balance the gift of being BOTH/AND, living hir life in both genders. S/he is the '06-'09 President of the Transgender Education Association of Central PA (www.transcentralpa.org). |
| Julia Ruhsam Julia Ruhsam is married to a very seriously committed transgendered spouse, who is currently working hard to maintain her/his capacity to live and walk in this world as a dual gendered person, expressing both parts of who s/he is, in the context of work, family and community. Julia seeks and offers other spouses/partners peer support through Helen Boyd's EngenderPartners list as well as TransFamilySpouses. |
| Joelle Ruby Ryan Ph.D. Candidate Joelle Ruby Ryan is a Ph.D. Candidate in the American Culture Studies Program at Bowling Green State University. Joelle holds MA degrees in Women's Studies and English Literature. Joelle has taught University classes in English, American Studies, Women's Studies, Ethnic Studies, LGBT Studies and Film Studies. Joelle is the first MTF transperson to become a Point Foundation Scholar. She has co-produced the video TransAmazon and published the book Gender Quake. Joelle is active in the National Women's Studies Association and her campus group Transcendence. You can find out more about Joelle at www.joellerubyryan.com. |
| Dr. Sandra Samons Dr. Samons is a 1976 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Social Work (MSW) and a 2001 graduate of the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco (Ph.D.). She is a licensed Clinical Social Worker, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and an AASECT Certified Diplomate of Sex Therapy. She has specialized in gender identity issues since 1992 and has broad clinical experience working with adults, adolescents,couples, and families. Dr. Samons is a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. (WPATH), the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She has given many workshops and presentations, primarily on various aspects of transgender for professional organizations and for transgender community organizations, including IFGE. She is the author of the book: When The Opposite Sex Isn't; and several articles related to transgender. She lives and works just outside of Ann Arbor, Michigan. |
| Mr. Cheston Saunders Cheston Saunders has a BA in Biology with minors in psychology, gerontology, and chemistry from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Currently, Cheston actis as a supplemental instruction leader for cell biology and genetics with the UNCW Learning Center. Cheston is currently pursing two research projects, one using novel information management systems to increase student performance in introductory science courses while his other project includes studying sexual health, identity, and sexuality across the life course. |
| Dr. Richard Schott I am a professor at the University of Texas, where I teach, among other things, multi-culturalism and diversity. I have long been engaged in studying the transgender community, especially the hormonal, bio-chemical, and environmental factors which influence the development of crossdressing and transsexualism. |
| Julia Serano Julia Serano is an Oakland, California-based writer, spoken word performer, trans activist, and biologist. Julia is the author of Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity (Seal Press, 2007), a collection of personal essays that reveal how misogyny frames popular assumptions about femininity and shapes many of the myths and misconceptions people have about transsexual women. Her other writings have appeared in anthologies (including BITCHfest: Ten Years of Cultural Criticism from the Pages of Bitch Magazine and Word Warriors: 30 Leaders in the Women’s Spoken Word Movement) and in feminist, queer, pop culture and literary magazines and websites such as Bitch, AlterNet.org, Out, Feministing.com, Clamor, Kitchen Sink, make/shift, other, LiP and Transgender Tapestry. In recent years, Julia has gained noteriety in transgender, queer, and feminist circles for her unique insights into gender. She has been invited to speak about transgender and trans women’s issues at numerous univerisites, at queer, women’s studies, psychology and philosophy-themed conferences, and her writings have been used as teaching materials in college-level gender studies courses across the United States. |
| Cynthia Snow Cynthia Snow is a lawyer, and works as a law librarian for the federal government. Previously, she worked as a legislative research manager for a trade association. Cynthia has been reporting on transgender anti-discrimination law developments for several years for the TGEA newsletter. She has a law degree from American University and a Masters in Library Science from the University of Maryland. |
| Carey Jean Sojka Carey Jean Sojka is a Ph.D. student in Sociology at the University at Albany, SUNY. Her work employs a feminist perspective on queer theory, gender and sexuality studies, and transgender studies. Carey also enjoys pursuing academic work beyond these areas, including research on colorblind racism and on minority adolescent health behaviors and health literacy. Carey is a Co-Chair for QUAGS: Queer University at Albany Graduate Students, and she volunteers as a LGBTQ youth group facilitator with the Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council. |
| Moonhawk River Stone M.S., LMHC Moonhawk River Stone, M.S., LMHC is a psychotherapist, consultant, educator and writer in private practice in the Albany, NY area; and is, himself, an out, open and proud transsexual man. Stone is a political activist for transgender civil rights and for transgender healthcare. He is active in working on issues related to Gender Identity Disorder’s continuing presence in the DSM. Stone is a former Board Chair of the International Foundation for Gender Education, Inc. (IFGE) and former Board Co-chair of the New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy, Inc. (NYAGRA). Currently he is on the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors where he is Chair of the Diversity Committee and he has worked on the both GLMA ‘s Trans Health Care Committee and Intersex Research Committee, and is now the new Chair of GLMA’s Trans Health Care Committee. Stone is a member of the Disability Oppression and Access Committee of theTask Force. He holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and has done work toward a Ph.D. in same.
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| Darlene Tando LCSW I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in San Diego, where I provide therapy with adult individuals, couples, family, and play therapy for children. I earned my Bachelors Degree in Psychology at the University of California at Santa Barbara and my Masters in Social Work at San Diego State University. I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the California Association of Clinical Social Workers (CSCSW). For the past two and a half years, I have been working with individuals who identify as transgender; mostly female-to-male but open to all those across the gender variant spectrum. Ultimately, I believe the “expert” on one’s gender identity and (possible) need to transition is the client. I work in collaboration with the Case Managers at Project STAR (Supporting Transgender Access to Resources), and have been a regular attendee at monthly FTMI meetings at the LGBT center for the past couple of years. I also lead a weekly FTM support group. I received an Award of Appreciation from the San Diego transgender community at the Day of Empowerment in April 2008. |
| Michele Thomas Michele Thomas is co-moderator of TransFamilySpouses, a major web-based peer-support group for partners of trans people. She is active in numerous other online and real life support and advocacy organizations. She and her spouse, Nicole, have each documented many aspects of their transition together through their blogs and personal websites. |
| Kelley Winters Ph.D. Kelley Winters, Ph.D., is a writer on issues of gender diversity in public and medical policy, founder of GID Reform Advocates (www.gidreform.org), and a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health as wells as advisory boards for the Matthew Shephard Foundation and Trans-Youth Family Allies. She has presented papers on mental health policy issues to the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Counseling Association and has authored chapters in two books. Kelley may be reached at kelley@gidreform.org |
| Dr. Mark Zukowski M.D. Mark Zukowski, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a Northwestern-trained Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who practices on the North Shore of Chicago. He performs the full range of face and body feminization procedures as well as micrograft hair transplantation in order to create a full and naturally feminine hairline. Dr. Zukowski specializes in new state-of-the-art technology such as endoscopic minimal scar techniques, suspension neck contouring, high speed burring for bone sculpting and tracheal shaving, and large volume fat-grafting for buttock enhancement in order to provide the safe, individualized, cost-effective, and high-quality results that he guarantees. He served in the U.S. Navy attaining the rank of Commander at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, and was in charge of the busiest plastic surgery department of any military in the world. He is the author of over 30 articles and book chapters with an international reputation in cosmetic plastic surgery. For more information about his practice, go to www.facesculptor.com. |