CLGS

Education is at the core of this Summit’s objectives. It is more important today than ever to develop and utilize workable education models for transgender inclusion. Too long has inclusion taken a backseat to tolerance. Our faith communities must be transformed in their understanding so they see their transgender congregants as full persons and a valuable resource. Many of the concerns, issues and obstacles we face in our congregations are similar. Although our faiths traditions may be different, we can come together around the following goals:

1. The full inclusion of transgender people in our faith communities;
2. The creation of educational models for understanding transgender persons and our issues;
3. The identification and overcoming of cultural and religious obstacles; and
4. The development of a common language around trans people and our issues

It is important to create environments of inclusion in our faith communities so those that need support may obtain it. We believe that obstacles to inclusion are large but not insurmountable. Representatives affiliated with the following organizations will conduct seminars on their organizations’ educational curricula on trans persons and trans issues: 

• The Institute for Welcoming Resources
• More Light Presbyterian
• Local Unitarian Universalist, "Our Whole Lives" (OWL)
• TransTorah/ Jewish Mosaic, Jewish Milestones
• The Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
• Lutherans Concerned
• TransEpiscopal
• UUA Welcoming Congregation Program
• TranSpirituality

Keynote Speaker: Justin Tanis, Community Education and Outreach Manager,The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE).

Justin has worked in the LGBT non-profit field for over 20 years as a community organizer, manager, educator and program specialist. He holds degrees from Mount Holyoke College, Harvard University, and San Francisco Theological Seminary, as well as certificates in graphic design and multimedia. He is the author of Transgender: Ministry, Theology and Communities of Faith (the first volume in the CLGS Pilgrim Press Book Series). Prior to working at NCTE, he served as Director of Leadership Development for an international organization serving the spiritual needs of LGBT people.

Other 2010 SUMMIT Highlights will include:

Presentations of Transgender Community Outreach Programs from United Church of Christ, City of Refuge - Transcending Ministry, MCC Metropolitan Community Church, and more!

Faith Leaders Discussion Panel: Q&A session with leaders who worked with welcoming and affirming programs.


Special Music Presentations: Including the renowned Transcendence Gospel Choir

TAKE-a-WAYS: Video and Audio Recordings of Meetings, hand-outs and follow-ups.

If lodging is needed, we can recommend the following hotels/guesthouses:

• The Downtown Berkeley Inn - 2001 Bancroft Way, 510-843-4043 Reservations can also be made online at: www.downtownberkeleyinn.com.(You will receive a rate of $89.00 if you mention that you are attending the Summit).
• Easton Hall at CDSP - 2401 Ridge Rd, 510-204-0732, Reservations can also be made online at: eastonhall[at]cdsp[dot]edu, http://cdsp.edu/conference.php. (We have reserved 10 rooms at a special Summit rate.)

  For more information, email Randall Klein or you may write to: PO Box 1208, Oakley, CA 94561 or call 925-586-4651.

Click on the link below for the latest Summit poster!