CLGS

This year’s Summit will focus on making connections and supporting each other as we work on the frontlines. We are inviting some very dynamic and informative speakers and we are also setting aside time for private discussions, personal connections and group meetings. As a result, we have added an additional day for more socializing, brain-storming and connecting. YOU will be an active part of this year’s Summit and there will also be some new voices from faith communities that are just beginning the work of promoting acceptance. This should be a time of rejuvenation, community and education.

The 2011 Transgender Religious Leaders Summit is an ecumenical meeting of faith leaders who identify as transgender, gender-queer and inter-sexed, and their allies. It is also an opportunity to connect with leaders of all faith communities and, through sharing, to celebrate our common heritage while learning to appreciate and respect our differences.

Take time for yourself!  This year’s Summit is a retreat-style meeting of transgender faith leaders from across the United States and Canada. 

We are very excited to have Chris Paige and Louis Mitchell as our keynote speakers. Their work in the transgender community to facilitate and strengthen connections is second to none. Their keynote topic will address the issue of health and wholeness in transgender social and faith communities. They feel that pursuing self-determination is an important step towards the goal of transgender inclusion.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Louis Mitchell  
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Louis is a long- time activist and advocate for fairness, equity, respect and self-determination.  A much sought-after preacher, speaker and trainer, he focuses on the intersectionality of ethnicity, class, gender, affectional preference and spirituality.

Chris Paige
Among other involvements, Chris founded TransFaith Online, coordinates the Interfaith Working Group, is Chair of the 2011 Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, and previously served as publisher of The Other Side magazine. Chris is an OtherWise-identified organizer, educator and writer, who is particularly concerned with race, gender, and sexuality within the context of faith communities.

Our faiths may differ, but our common objectives include some of the following:
1. Acceptance and inclusion of transgender people in our faith communities.
2. Identifying and using current resources and developing new educational resources.
3. Identifying and addressing cultural and theological obstacles and objections.
4. Strengthening existing support systems for those doing the work on the front lines.

Sessions to include:
Supporting transgender faith leaders on the front lines of ministry
Identifying faith-based vs cultural-based obstacles
How to use networking and online tools more efficiently in ministry
Transcending tolerance and transforming your faith communities
Gender fluidity - Moving past male and female
The pitfalls and inconsistency of language - Words that hamper   communication and words that facilitate communication.
“Sermon in a Sound-bite”  Talking to the media
How do we advocate for our unique needs while remaining a viable part of the  LGBT community?

Faith Leader Panels:
How to deal with difficult issues from a faith perspective.
How do we change a negative discussion into a positive one?
Living as an example for others to follow
Who are the allies of transgender?
Responding to suicide
Youth Panel:  A frank discussion on issues that face young transgender individuals in their faith community

2011 Summit Schedule:
 
THURSDAY, November 3, 2011
SUMMIT Registration: 3:30 - 5:30 PM
Dinner (Dinner Provided): 5:30 - 7:00 PM
Evening Session and Introduction: 7:00 - 9:00 PM

FRIDAY, November 4, 2011
Breakfast (Breakfast Provided): 8:00 - 9:00 AM
Morning, Keynote Address: 9:00 - 10:25 AM
Morning Sessions 1 and 2: 10:30 - 12:00 Noon
Lunch Break (Lunch provided): 12:30 - 2:00 PM
Afternoon Sessions 3 and 4: 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Break-out Sessions: 3:45 - 5:00 PM

SATURDAY, November 5, 2011
Morning Meeting and Breakfast (Breakfast Provided): 8:00 - 9:25 AM
Morning Sessions 5 and 6: 9:30 - 11:00 AM
Lunch Break (Lunch Provided): 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Afternoon Sessions 7 and 8: 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Break-out Sessions: 3:45 - 5:00 PM
Final Meeting: 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Music presentation and Faith-leader panel.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:
On-site Massage
Area outings planned
Reading and book room
Video taping stories, "Documenting our ministry, our struggle, our life, our joys."
Create a Prayer Planning Committee.

TAKE-A-WAYS:
Conference Binder
Contact List
Copy of "Telling our Stories"
A Frontline Survival Kit "Personal Tools for Survival."

If you’re interested in being on a panel or leading a session at the 2011 Summit please contact:  Randall Klein, (925) 586-4651 or email:rklein@lightinthecloset.org