Mazzoni Center Hosts Philadelphia Trans Health Conference

From June 9-11 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City, the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference, a program of Mazzoni Center, returns for its 15th year educating the community on transgender rights.

"Last year we welcomed more than 4,000 people over the course of the three days, and with transgender rights and legal issues on the news and on everyone's radar these days, we're looking forward to another big year. We've got more than 230 workshops over the course of three days, as well as evening/community activities on and offsite," said Elisabeth Flynn, Senior Communications Manager of the Mazzoni Center.

This conference is the largest gathering of its kind anywhere, and is a place for trans and gender nonconforming people, their family and loved ones, and community allies to educate themselves on issues of health and well-being.� It's also an opportunity for trans people from throughout the region and across the country to connect and build community.�

The theme of the 2016 Trans-Health Conference is "Honoring Our Roots," which will be reflected in many of the workshops, as well as the presentation of the first-ever Charlene Arcila Pioneer Award, named in memory of the much-admired community activist who was one of the original founders of the conference back in 2002, and who remained involved as a leader and volunteer with the conference for many years. �

Among the highlights of the 2016 conference will be our lively and diverse line of plenary speakers. Thursday's plenary will address the theme of "Heritage/Celebrating our history and ancestors," while Friday's focus is "Legacy/What Does It Look Like When We Win." �

On June 9-10, the professional track will offer 44 workshops for medical, behavioral health and legal service providers to learn best practices in working with trans and gender nonconforming people in culturally competent ways. Approximately 600 attendees from across the country are expected to attend this section of the conference, which offers up to 12 CEU/CLE credits and requires a registration fee.

"The professional track of this conference has become a tremendous resource for providers from near and far to access best practices and current information on providing quality, culturally competent healthcare, legal and social services for trans people," said said Mazzoni CEO Nurit Shein.

"We're expecting some 700 professionals to attend this year, and get updates on anti-discrimination provisions within the Affordable Care Act, so-called 'bathroom laws,' and much more," said Flynn.

The schedule offers a wide variety of workshops, including some designated for the professional track, as indicated by the tiny briefcase icon. General public workshops include Journey Into the Deaf Trans World, Preparing Your Child (And You) For Their College Experience, Trauma-Informed Practices for Community Organizing, TransMen and HIV, Taking Charge of Our Spiritual Path, The Fluidity of Attraction, and many, many more over three days. A drop-in legal clinic on Saturday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to noon, staffed by volunteer attorneys and law students, will provide legal information to conference attendees.

Social activities include a conference Opening Reception for the 2016 Trans Health Conference will take place on Thursday, June 9 from 6-8 p.m. at Voyeur Nightclub, 1221 St. James St. The reception, sponsored by TD Bank, is free to attend and open to all attendees and supporters of the Trans Health Conference.

There will also be a Friday Shabbat, a Parents Meet and Greet and Pool Party, and more. A dedicated youth space for those aged 13 to 24 will include games and interactive programs, and will be open all three days of the conference. On Friday, June 10 from 6-11 p.m. TransKids Family of Cleveland will host the annual Parents Meet & Greet & Kids' Pool Party at the Hampton Inn.

"The Trans Health Conference is an important adjunct to the ongoing clinical care and supportive services that Mazzoni Center provides for more than 6,000 trans-identified patients and clients every year," said Shein. "Through the conference, we are proud to provide a space where community members can come together to advocate for their needs and interests, and feel connected and empowered in multiple aspects of their lives."

Cigna is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2016 Philadelphia Trans Health Conference. Advocate Sponsor for the conference is Rumer Cosmetic Surgery. This year's Activist Sponsors are: Callen Lorde Community Health Clinic, the Human Rights Campaign, the LGBT Health Resource Center at Chase Brexton Health Care, and Lyon Martin Health Services. Ally Sponsors are: Amida Care, Michele Angello, PhD, Aslan Leather, Drexel University, Fenway Health, Hahnemann University Hospital Gynecological Oncology, Health Sherpa, Independence Business Alliance, KeyStone Recovery, the National LGBTQ Task Force, Penn Medicine's Program for LGBT Health, Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, Philadelphia FIGHT, the Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery, PHL Diversity, Routledge Journals, TransCafe, Trans Women of Color Collective, and Whitman-Walker Health.

The Philadelphia Trans Health Conference is also supported by funding from the Arcus Foundation, the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, and the Lilian Gest Memorial Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation.

For the full schedule and details about this year's conference, visit www.mazzonicenter.org/trans-health