There is no cost to attend, and all interested individuals are invited to participate. Continuing education credit will be available.

Attend at DMU or online

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TARGET AUDIENCE

Healthcare professionals.

EDUCATIONAL NEED

There is a critical need for healthcare providers, educators, and community members to understand the historical context of gender-affirming care and its evolution within various legal, social, and political landscapes. Many healthcare systems and professionals lack comprehensive knowledge of the resilience and contributions of past providers and recipients of gender-affirming care, limiting their ability to offer informed and affirming support. Additionally, current frameworks for gender-affirming care often focus solely on medical interventions, neglecting holistic approaches that prioritize joy, celebration, and the overall well-being of transgender and nonbinary individuals.
 

Furthermore, with increasing legislative and societal challenges surrounding LGBTQIA+ healthcare, there is an urgent need for strategies that promote community care, rest, sustainability, and resilience. Many providers, advocates, and individuals seeking care experience burnout and fear due to restrictive policies and hostile environments. This educational session aims to address these gaps by equipping participants with historical knowledge, affirming care frameworks, and community-based strategies that ensure gender-affirming care is not only accessible but also empowering and sustainable.

DESCRIPTION

This session explores the historical context of gender-affirming care, examining how medical professionals and communities have provided and received care across diverse legal, social, and political landscapes. By reflecting on the past, we can gain valuable insights into the resilience and wisdom of those who navigated gender-affirming care in different eras. Participants will engage with tools and frameworks that support gender-affirming care and center the joy, celebration, and thriving of transgender and nonbinary individuals. Additionally, this session will highlight strategies for fostering community care, rest, sustainability, and wellness, particularly during times of heightened fear and uncertainty surrounding LGBTQIA+ healthcare. Through discussion and shared learning, attendees will leave with practical approaches to sustaining themselves and their communities in the ongoing pursuit of equitable and affirming care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Review the historical context of the gender-affirming care provision and what we can learn from our past as a medical field and from our ancestors who provided and received gender-affirming care in various legal, social, and political landscapes.
• Use tools and frameworks for providing and receiving gender-affirming care that include and center joy, celebration, and thriving of trans and nonbinary people.
• Share and discuss strategies for community care, rest, sustainability, and wellness during times of extraordinary fear related to LGBTQIA+ healthcare.

SPEAKERS

Will Cole, PhD, MPH, MA, PMP (he/they)

Cass Dallas, LICSW (they/he)