"BANDING TOGETHER TO BREAK BARRIERS"

Are you willing to help jumpstart a northwest transgender tradition?

We need you to help create the Northwest Transgender Conference.

The idea is this: To come together to network and brainstorm and commence the implementation of a comprehensive program to further the support, education and rights of transgender persons throughout the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia and Alaska).

Who is involved? You and me, and whomever else wishes to lend a hand in this important project. Hopefully, we will attract transgender group leaders, advocates and other interested and motivated parties from across the region. We will get to know each other, forge relationships and alliances, have some fun, and get some work done on behalf of ourselves and all Northwest transgendered folk.

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What kind of work? We will assess the "transgender state of the region", determine what has gone right and wrong, consider where we have scored victories and where there are still problems, and determine how we can cooperatively improve and enhance the quality of life and societal acceptance of all transgendered folk in our own big backyard. We will examine how Northwest TGs remain challenged in the sectors of employment, education, health care, legal, financial, housing, and law enforcement. We will consider how we can help to standardize policies for transgendered individuals, utilizing programs and methods that are already working for some Northwest communities, businesses and organizations, but are sadly lacking in many parts of our region. For instance, many businesses and organizations have very progressive policies for transgendered employees, students and patients, but these programs are generally internalized and largely hidden from wider appreciation. Can we educate and encourage other entities throughout the Northwest to emulate these models? Ingersoll Center worked closely with the Sheriff's Department to develop a progressive and fair policy for the treatment of transgendered individuals in custody in King County. Portland Police Dept. has adopted similar standards. Can we promote this policy as a model for all other law enforcement agencies in the Northwest? Washington and Oregon recently enacted anti-discrimination laws that protect transgendered individuals. What does this really do for us, what should be the next step, and what are other states doing... or not doing? Putting our heads and hands together, we can hasten social acceptance of the transgender community and individuals!

When and Where? Don't know and don't know. Soon and somewhere... at least to get the first proto-conference off the ground. What do you think? Our idea is to have the conference every year, perhaps in the fall when vacations are over, the kids are back in school, before the winter chill, but after hotel rates go off-season... and rotate the conference among the Northwest's primary cities: Seattle, Vancouver, B.C., Portland, Tacoma, Spokane, Boise, etc. Taking our show on the road, we enable more transgender advocates to participate overall, and we also stir publicity and awareness in each of our venues. This can only help us further our objectives. The Gender Alliance of the South Sound in Tacoma stands ready and willing to assist with planning and implementation of the conference. How about your group? How about you?

Why Now? The time is right. The Northwest transgender community has reached the critical mass necessary to firmly establish its existence and now begin the process of insisting upon basic rights.The Pacific Northwest is home to many solid and successful trans-organizations, yet these have never effectively joined together to generate the strength in numbers and tapped into the multi-dimensioned assets that we could bring to such an effort. There is no telling what we might accomplish in solidarity. Let's give it a try!

Doesn't this duplicate what other conferences are offering? The NWTC is a wholly different animal from other conventions that cater to T-folk. Ours is a political and social action ensemble that we hope will serve as a partner, ally and promoter, not a competitor, to the other events. We very much welcome and encourage the participation of the organizers of other events to join with us in lifting up the entire Northwest trans community. It can only help all of us, and all of our projects.

What's Next? Get involved. Right now. Let's do it! E-mail us back right now and let us know you want to be an NWTC Charter Leader, and help make this happen. Then start putting your ideas together. We will notify you of the initial planning sessions where it will all begin to come together. You will be there... at the very start of something very special. We need you. The trans community needs you. Don't miss it!

Hope to hear from you. We look forward to meeting and working with you. And please... forward this message to others you know who might also be interested in becoming an NWTC Charter Leader.

See you soon at the Inaugural Northwest Transgender Conference!

Misha Balch, Vicky Quaintance, Annie Russell

Northwest Transgender Conference
www.nwtransgender.com
nwtc@comcast.net
360-455-3318