Hudson Valley Trans Forum

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.

____________________________________________________________

The Hudson Valley Trans Forum is held annually in November. 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.

Past Event Information:

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

2020's Event Line-Up Featured:

Friday, Nov 20th Keynote Address presented by: Ariana Quiñones (they/them) of YWCA

⚧ Watch the recording of this keynote address here

Saturday, Nov 21st Keynote Address presented by: Alisha Kohn (she/her) of Newburgh LGBTQ+ Center | Title: Trans Liberation in the Abolition Movement

⚧ Watch the recording of this keynote address here

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

Active Allyship to Support TGNCNB Folks, presented by Emmett Griffith (he/him) & Rachel Simon (she/they) of Pace University

Curriculum to Campus: TGNCNB Educational Inclusivity Panel

Moderator: Eva Dolgin, LMSW (she/they) of CANDLE Youth Pride

Panelists: Lucky Hernandez (they/them), student at Columbia University | MJ Karger (she/her), GLSEN Lower Hudson Valley co-chair | Dakota Piñon (he/him), student at Manhattanville College | Abby Waldow (she/her), student at University of Albany | Jade Watts (they/them), student at SUNY Purchase

⚧ Watch the recording of this panel here

Creative Interventions for Gender Dysphoria, presented by Janesse Russel, LMSW (she/her) & Grace Troyer, BA (they/them)

⚧ Watch the recording of this workshop here

Trans Accountable Leadership: A Community Conversation, presented by Alex Francisco (she/her) & Loren Klein (he/him) of Rockland County Pride Center

Addressing Health Care Needs & Barriers for TGNCNB Competent Care, presented by Mia Edwards (she/her) & Kira Lingala (she/her) of The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center, Miriam David, MD (she/her) of Westchester Medical Center, Dr. Betti Schleyer (they/she/he), Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice

⚧ Watch the recording of this workshop here

New York State and National Legal Updates, presented by Sarah Filcher, Esq (she/they) & Shary Sanchez, Esq (she/her/ella) of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

⚧ Watch the recording of this workshop here

Coming Out & Family Acceptance: Panel & Community Discussion

Moderator: Anthony Arrien (he/him), LOFT Board Member

Panelists: Karen Marder, LCSW (she/her), Dutchess Pride Center | Robyn Schlesinger, Esq (she/her) of The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center | Weston Siano (he/him), Center Lane, a program of Westchester Jewish Community Services | Jay Tyler (he/they), CANDLE Youth Pride

⚧ Watch the recording of this panel here

Feeling Good Feelings: Pleasure & Power in Strange Times, presented by Rowan Reyes, MSW (they/them)

Trans and Gender Expansive in the Workplace: Job Seeking, Employment and Career Planning, presented by Robyn Schlesinger, Esq (she/her) & Lucky Hernandez (they/them)

⚧ Watch the recording of this workshop here

Is this how we fall apart?: intersections of racism on the TGNCNB community, presented by Rooty Rudio (they/them), Phoenix Gayle (she/her), Saije Mischone (she/they) & Rae Leiner (they/them) of Newburgh LGBTQ+ Center

⚧ Watch the recording of this workshop here

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.

Do you like this page?