The 2014 Multi-Faith Transgender Summit will bring together religious activists, leaders, students, and practitioners from across a variety of faith traditions to explore intersectionalties of religion and trans* identities. This 3-day event will include workshops, discussion groups, and academic presentations.
The conference will feature a dynamic worship service led by 4M Ministries, multiple workshops, cutting edge scholarship on gender and religion, and an extended program for those interested… Show more in exploring chaplaincy. In this inspirational setting there will also be several opportunities to express our spirituality, faith and worship! Join us for this wonderful time of sharing, connecting, and exploration.
Speakers Include:
Vivian Taylor, Executive Director of Integrity USA Vivian Taylor is the Executive Director of Integrity USA, the national LGBTQ organization of the Episcopal Church. She is a writer, activist, avid Sung Compline promoter, and proud (if occasionally troubled) North Carolinian currently living in Boston, MA. She served in the War in Iraq from 2009-2010 and is currently running several statewide LGBTQ rights campaigns.
Nicole Santamaria, Organizer at Colectivo Alejandria in El Salvador
Nicole Santamaria is a transgender acitivist in El Salvador, working with Colectivo Alejandria. Colectivo Alejandria is an organization made up of a multidisciplinary team of Transgender activists, developing processes of awareness, training, education, and advocacy through citizen participation.
Alex Patchin McNeill, Executive Director of More Light Presbyterian Alex Patchin McNeill is the first openly transgender person to head a mainline Protestant organization. He is an openly transgender man, a life-long Presbyterian, and a nationally known educator and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Christians.
Conference Highlights:
Chaplaincy Workshop
Trans* people are among those who feel called to ministry as chaplains in a wide range of settings, including health care, hospices, educational institutions, and the military. Trans* people face particular challenges in securing places in training programs, such as Clinical Pastoral Education, which is required by a number of denominations for ordination as well as for chaplaincy.
During this special focus time, we will provide opportunities to reflect on your vocation, including a consideration of a variety of types of chaplaincy. The program will include detailed information, and specific tips for trans* people, about applying to CPE programs and approaching credentialing as a professional chaplain. We will also consider what doors are currently closed to trans* people in chaplaincy and what we might do to open them. The program will include PSR’s Office of Contextual Education and trans* chaplains who have successfully navigated the process through training and credentialing to employment as chaplains.
Celebration of Spirit: Honoring Shabbat, Samhain, Dia de los Muertos, All Saints, and More!
Friday, October 31 is a special and spiritual day! In the evening, we will gather to celebrate the Spirit in many forms, honoring the Jewish Sabbath, the Pagan holiday of Samhain, the Christian All Saints and All Souls Days, and Dia de los Muertos. Together, we will recognize and celebrate our spiritual diversity in a series of rituals. You will be welcome to join one or many on this special night.
Special Exhibition: Alma Lopez, Queer Santas: Holy Violence
The Center for Art, Religion, and Education (CARE) at the Graduate Theological Union, and the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry at Pacific School of Religion are proud to be hosting an exhibition of artist Alma Lopez’s works. The images include queer santas (saints) who show a range of gender expression. The conference will include a special tour of the exhibition with specific commentary about the gender content of the works.
Resource Fair
Join us as trans* affirming organizations and groups provide information and resources for you. If you are interested in having a table at the Fair, please contact Deseree Fontenot at dfontenot@clgs.org . You may also visit the conference eventbrite page and purchase a resource fair table ticket.
View Conference Schedule At-A-Glance
Please contact Jakob Hero, CLGS Transgender Roundtable Coordinator, with any questions, jhero@clgs.org
View Full Conference Schedule
View Travel and Lodging Information
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