RSVP for Supporting Transgender & Gender Expansive Youth

press release: This day-long conference will provide attendees with an overview of what it means to be a child or youth who is transgender or gender expansive. Sessions will focus on the personal experiences of families and students as well as information on how our communities and schools can create a safe, healthy and welcoming space.  

The conference will cover a variety of topics, with a focus on:  Supporting a child’s mental health and suicide prevention; How urban and rural schools can pro-actively become a ‘welcoming school’ as well as implement new Federal guidance regarding serving students who are transgender or gender expansive;  Open and affirming churches for families and youth; Gender in early childhood; and perspectives from medical providers currently serving youth who are transgender or gender expansive.

Keynote speakers; Sarah Jane, parent of a transitioning Mount Horeb first grader and Amy Lyle, parent of two boys in Mount Horeb schools will talk about how one hate group's threat sparked advocacy, community action and love in their small community.

Breakout Sessions include: Youth art & identity workshop, Parent panel: families share their experiences raising trans children, Mental Health Providers: case consultations, Sessions for rural school districts, Pediatric & Adolescent Trans Health (PATH) Clinic perspectives, Open & affirming faith communities panel discussion, Supporting your child’s mental health needs, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training & suicide prevention, Welcoming Schools 101: strategies for schools that support all students, & Gender in early childhood.

The day will also include a performance by Proud Theater. 

The Gender Expansive Conference Planning Committee is a group of local parents, professionals, educators & other service providers in the Dane County community.  Special thanks to the parents who played an integral role in the planning of the conference, as well as staff from Edgewood College, UW-Madison, Community Partnerships, The Rainbow Project, Madison Metropolitan School District, GSAFE & Center for Families.