The Hudson Valley Trans Forum (formerly known as the Westchester Trans Forum) is a free, annual educational and community-building conference highlighting the needs and experiences of our local transgender, gender non-conforming and, non-binary (TGNCNB) communities.

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*Virtual* Hudson Valley Trans Forum 2022
Friday, January 21st & Saturday January 22nd
Free Event | All events held on Zoom, unless stated otherwise | All Are Welcome | Attend one or both days

The Hudson Valley Trans Forum is held annually in November (Please note:  2021's Forum is being held in January in a one-time schedule adjustment). Each year's event features keynote speakers, panel presentations, local resources, and networking & community-building opportunities.

Throughout the day, attendees are able to choose from workshops on topics pertaining to TGNCNB rights & advocacy, health & wellness, and empowerment & authenticity.

Click on the below links to see a description & learn about the presenters!

Friday, January 21st | schedule subject to change

All events held on Zoom, unless stated otherwise
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Saturday, January 22nd | schedule subject to change

All events held on Zoom, unless stated otherwise

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10-10:10am EST	Check-In & Opening Remarks
10:10-10:25am EST	Keynote Address presented by TS Candii (she/her) - CEO, Black Trans Nation
10:35-11:50am EST	Workshop 1 "What's Love Got to Do With It?:" A Conversation on TGNCNB Intimacy, Pleasure, and Romance, presented by Mimi Shelton (she/her) & Jahaira Gonzalez (she/her) This workshop is a TGNCNB only space
12-1pm EST	Peer Meet Up Spaces Breakout sessions for open discussions in transmasc, transfemme, non-binary and gender non-conforming, questioning, and ally groups. Facilitated by Shepard Verbas (they/them), Mia Edwards (she/her), Elias Xander (he/they), Stevie McMahon (he/they), Dennis Richmond, Jr. (he/they), and Kira Lingala (she/her)
1:45-3:00pm EST	Workshop 2 Real Talk: An Honest Conversation on Mental Health & Self-Care while Navigating Transition, led by Ivan Diller, LCSW-R
3:10-4:00pm EST	Night of Resilience A celebration of TGNCNB pride devoted to cultivating a practice of resiliency and self-care, led by Rowan Reyes, MSW (they/them) Planning on attending Night of Resilience? Consider attending with any of these supplies for an added layer of fun! ⚧ wear something that makes you feel like your most fabulous self (costume, wig, accessories, make-up, face paint, gender-affirming clothing, etc) be as over-the-top as you want! ⚧ bring with a a marker/pen & paper (or if you'd like to write things out on your body/skin bring some eyeliner) ⚧ show up with an object that is affirming for you ⚧ come to the event with the name of a song in mind that makes you feel amazing ⚧ bring a book or piece of writing into the space & let us know why it holds meaning for you feel free to wear/bring any of these things OR just come as you are & enjoy what other folx share! All sharing will be OPTIONAL. We're excited to play & celebrate with you! About Rowan: Rowan (they/them) is here for queer liberation. They believe in trans joy as a form of decolonization, community care as resistance, and self-determination as a human right.
5:30-7pm EST	Transgender Peer Support Group The Transgender Peer Support Group is an open topic group run by a trained facilitator for individuals who identify as transgender, transsexual, cross-dresser, gender variant, gender queer or intersex (18 and older).

Past Event Information (2020):

*Virtual* Hudson Valley Trans Forum 2020
Friday, November 20th & Saturday November 21st, 2020
Free Event | Held on Zoom

2020's Event Line-Up Featured:

2020 Workshops & Panels:
(listed in the order they occurred)

Saturday, November 21, 2020 | Night of Resilience

Night of Resilience is an annual community party, open to all with music, inspiration, and TGNCNB artists. Night of Resilience is free to attend and functions as a fundraiser for The LOFT's TransMission scholarship program.

2020's Night of Resilience featured performances & special appearances by:

Jari Bradley
	Jari Bradley, a Black genderqueer poet and scholar from San Francisco, CA. Jari’s work has been published or Is forthcoming in The Adroit Journal, Blood Orange Review, Academy of American Poets Poem-A-Day, The Offing, The Virginia Quarterly Review, and elsewhere.
Eddie Jarel Jonesx
Eddie Jarel Jonesx, a Black Non-binary Producer, Media Personality, Emces, Influencer and LGBTQ+ Advocate. Once Eddie moved to New York their career in fashion took off as a runway and published model but rapidly became known internationally as a Non-binary and body positive model and influencer.
Maxxx Pleasure
	Maxxx Pleasure, an award-winning drag king based in NYC. Winner of the 2018 Brooklyn Drag King of the Year, star of the NewFest short documentary MAXXX, and the host of a fast=growing YouTube Channel. photo credit: Francine Daveta (insta @francinefoto)
Mackenzie Paige Lerario, MD
Mackenzie Paige Lerario, MD is a board-certified neurologist and amateur musician and writer.  Dr. Lerario specializes in the treatment and prevention of stroke, and they currently serve on the American Stroke Association’s Advisory Committee to help reduce cardiovascular healthcare disparities in the LGBTQ community.
Shawn Ramie
	Shawn Ramie is many things, a 13 year old boy, a musician, a budding artist, an animal lover, he is authentic, he is brave,  and he is also transgender. Shawn wants to have a career in music and hopes that one day boys like him will look to him and feel better about themselves.
Alex Lewack
Alex is a Transgender Male who uses They/He pronouns. Alex is a Psychology major at Westchester Community College and he is President of their college’s LGBTQ+ club, GLOW.  Alex was selected Westchester Pride’s Homecoming Queer 2020 for The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center. They are a huge advocate for the LGBTQ+ Community and they are passionate about LGBTQ+ Activism.

Stay posted for updates on the latest details for next year's Trans Forum.