Gender Odyssey 2007August 31st – September 3rd
Seattle, WA
Washington State Convention and Trade Center
www.genderodyssey.com

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In this issue…

* Vendors, Advertisers, & Sponsors
* Programming Update
* Youth Programming
* Translations Film Festival
* Gender Odyssey - Family

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Vendors, Advertisers and Sponsors, Oh My!

Yes! This year we are very excited by all the new options to support
businesses and organizations that want to tap this vibrant and growing
community on a national scale. We fully anticipate selling out our
vendor space as it is limited to only 23 spaces this year. So get
them while they last! Our current registrations are reflecting a 30%
growth in attendance over last year. This growth along with the
significant new press exposure and our exciting new art exhibit, is
going to create a lot of buzz, excitement and foot traffic like you’ve
never seen before at Gender Odyssey. And we want YOU to be a part of it
and benefit from it! We have VERY reasonable Sponsorship packages and
advertising ideas you can read and download off the web at
http://www.genderodyssey.com/participate/sponsors/
Don’t miss out on these great opportunities! Help us build and support
a strong trans-economy. If you are a trans or trans-friendly business
or organization, please go to the website right now and see how you might
benefit from participating this year. (Please note: there are early
deadlines this year – so make sure you don’t miss them!)

Programming - Workshop Submissions Are In!

Once again, Gender Odyssey attendees have submitted a fantastic number of
sessions for this year’s conference. In the coming month, the committee
will be of reviewing and evaluating the significant array of proposals.
We know you are awaiting the exciting new line up of this year’s
programming selections. We are especially excited to see great proposals
for partners, youth and family, gay and bisexuality, older and
post-transitioned guys, genderqueer and gender fluid topics, race and
ethnicity and many more. Stay tuned for coming previews!

Youth Programming

We are VERY excited that Portland and Seattle youth are teaming up to
not only provide a full track of programming for teens and young adults
this year at Gender Odyssey, but will offer some great evening events
as well. They are planning a youth reception, open mic, music and
performances. We anticipate a strong showing of our youth this year –
so come on out! Register today! (Note: There are still some youth
scholarships available!)

Film Festival

Film submissions have poured in from all over the country and we
are excited to bring you the 2nd annual Translations: Seattle’s Transgender
Film Festival in conjunction with the conference. Attendees will
have a discounted rate and films will be shown in venues easily
accessible by walking or using one of our van transports. Gender
Odyssey has teamed up with the highly reputable Three Dollar Bill
Cinema to bring you an exciting fresh collection of films. We are
especially excited to include a film night for the whole family.
Keep an eye out for further details as they become available.

Family Conference

Gender Odyssey – Family conference is really taking off! This
first-of-its-kind conference has already received a huge amount of
attention. In addition, parents of gender variant and transgender
children who come to Gender Odyssey – Family, will be able to gain
valuable information from some of the leading experts in the nation
as well as connect with other families. Gender variant kids will meet
others like themselves and feel connection to their community —some
for the first time!

For more information, go to www.genderodysseyfamily.com.

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PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL INTERESTED PEOPLE

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Gender Odyssey – Youth Connection & Empowerment
Washington State Convention and Trade Center
Seattle, Washington
August 31st - September 2nd, 2007

We are excited to announce our HOT new Youth Program at Gender Odyssey!  All you genderqueer, Trans-bois & trans-grrls, two-spirits, gender-warriors and those of ANY gender identity, please join us in Seattle during the 2007 Labor Day weekend.  

What is Youth Age?

There are two different age groups:

• Teens (13-17)

• Young Adult (18-23)

What's Happenin'?

How often is it that you get to hang out with huge number of young Trans & GQ people like yourself? This is an opportunity for all of us to connect and feel at home while enjoying mind blowing and crazy-fun panel discussions, interactive forums, and presentations. So come share and explore issues around living as gender variant youth.  

Programming topics...  Just a few of the workshops you can expect to find.

• So I'm Trans… Now What Do I Say to People?  Coming Out to…

• Neutrois, Tranny-fag, Boi-dyke, Grrl-fag. What?!?!  Generational Differences

• Actually… I Go By Male Pronouns:  Teaching Tools & Ways to Educate Others

• Where are the Trans Parties At?  Dating & Relationships

** If you are interested in participating in youth programming and/or are an experienced facilitator, please email youth@....  

"But I'm Broke…"

There are scholarships available!  So download and fill out an application and turn it in--deadline May 31st! Also, you can volunteer hours and receive $ reduction. (Every 2 hour shift = $10 reduction in your registration fee up to a $50 discount!)     http://www.genderodyssey.com/details/registration/index_schol.htm

Register early for discounted rates.

 

Early bird registration—deadline March 31st.   

Questions or suggestions?  Email us at youth@... 

PLEASE FORWARD this announcement to all potentially interested individuals, families, organizations, friends and providers.

• What you need to know to be an informed health advocate: Surgery and aftercare.
• Their Transition:  What stays the same and what changes?  A look at bodies, hormones, and the emotional changes your partner might experience.
• Grief / Loss:  So many partners experience sadness and grief over the transition of their partner...and sometimes feel shame for not being the supportive and understanding partner that they feel they "should" be.

• Masculinity, maleness and misogyny:  Exploring, differentiating, and moving beyond.
• Marriage?  I Do....or....Do I? A look at the emotional, moral, and political side of marriage in our community.
• Bi-Racial relationships and specific community challenges
• Polyamory...is it for me?
• Dating--How to find the right guy for you and let him know you are right for him.  

• How to have sex with a trans guy and what happens when you do. 
• My Boyfriend Likes Boys...Now What?  How to navigate your own gender when your partner's questioning theirs.

  OUT...

• How to love someone who is learning anew how to love themselves.
• How to support each other within the relationship, and importantly OUTSIDE the relationship.
• How to navigate your own gender when your partner's questioning theirs.

• How to talk to kids about a trans parent?
• Adoption / Fertility Options 

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PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL INTERESTED PEOPLE

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We are pleased to announce the first family conference for parents of
gender variant and transgender children! Join us in Seattle during
the 2007 Labor Day weekend as we debut the first family-centered
conference for people raising gender variant and transgender kids and
teens. Stephanie Brill, conference program director and founder of the
Children's Hospital Oakland support group for parents of gender
variant and transgender young children, brings her expertise and
ground-breaking work to our family conference.

Gender Odyssey - Family
Washington State Convention and Trade Center
Seattle, Washington
August 31st – September 2nd, 2007

What to expect…

* Amazing presentations, panel discussions and interactive forums
where parents can explore the issues related to raising children who
do not fit into society's current expectations of gender.
* Excellent childcare for our gender variant kids and their
siblings to play together while the parents attend workshops.
* Two picnic lunches for families to meet, socialize, and share
experiences.
* Workshops for teens and older children throughout the weekend.

Programming topics…

Gender Inside/Outside of the Home

What are the obstacles my child might face? How can I best prepare my
child?

Terminology

What are the differences between gender presentation, gender identity,
gender fluidity, and gender behavior?

Ask the Trans Person

Q & A panel discussion

Developing Your Child's Self-Esteem

How do I best love and support my child?

Should I Consider Medical Intervention?

If so, what's reasonable? Do I wait until my child is an adult?
What about puberty? What if my kid changes his/her mind?

Managing Healthcare

Current medical information about endocrinology—hormones, physical
changes, side effects, insurance options.

Advocacy for Your Child

How do I educate my child's school, other children's parents, doctors
or therapists?


Questions or suggestions? family@....

Register early for discounted rates.

Submit a workshop proposal—deadline April 1st.
www.genderodyssey.com/family/

PLEASE FORWARD this announcement to all potentially interested
individuals, families, organizations, and providers.

SAVE THE DATE!
You won't want to miss THIS year's Gender Odyssey!
Early Bird registration is going on NOW.

Gender Odyssey 2007
Seattle, WA
August 31st - September 3rd
Washington State Convention and Trade Center
www.genderodyssey.com

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IN THIS ISSUE

* ABOUT GENDER ODYSSEY 2007
* WORKSHOP SUBMISSIONS
* EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
* HOTEL INFO
* FILM FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS
* NEW OFFICE SPACE
* GAY CITY: NEW FISCAL SPONSOR OF GENDER ODYSSEY
* A WORD FROM THE PRODUCERS

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ABOUT GENDER ODYSSEY 2007

Number 5! This year marks Gender Odyssey's 5th conference
serving the transgender community and what a year it will be!
Exciting programming and events are shaping up.
Join us at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center
for:

* More than 60 workshops, town hall meetings and caucuses
* Social events, entertainment, receptions and BBQ
* Seattle's second annual transgender film festival: Translations
* Increased programming for families, partners, and youth

SUBMIT A WORKSHOP!

The majority of workshops and panels offered at this
conference are selected from our attendees' own programming
submissions. Last year's outreach efforts were successful
in measurable ways and we want to continue in this vein.
We invite and encourage workshop proposals in the following areas:

* Older and/or post-transitioned people
* Youth
* People of color
* Families
* Partners - past, present and future

http://www.genderodyssey.com/details/workshops/index.htm

REGISTER EARLY!

Register NOW - don't wait. The early bird registration
rate is over 35% lower than if you wait until the conference!
This rate won't last long - now through March 31st - so
register soon and tell your friends!
http://www.genderodyssey.com/details/registration/index.htm


HOTEL INFO

Our host hotel, the Silver Cloud - Broadway, sold out early
last year! It is centrally located, provides shuttle
service and is very convenient for conference attendees.
In addition, several of our social receptions will be held
at the Silver Cloud this year. See rates and reservation
detail on our website at
http://www.genderodyssey.com/details/hosthotel/index.htm


FILM FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS

This year will feature an exciting return of
Translations: Gender Odyssey's Transgender Film Festival!
Co-produced by Three Dollar Bill Cinema. Submissions will
open soon.
http://www.genderodyssey.com/filmfest1.htm


NEW OFFICE SPACE

That's right! Gender Odyssey will be moving into our
first official office space in early February. We have a
goal of raising $10,000 to support the office for 2007 and
we are already half-way there! This office enables us to
operate with greater efficiency and gives us a visible
presence to those seeking resources. Please support your
community and donate what you can to Gender Odyssey programs
and trainings. Gifts of any size are important and hugely
appreciated! You do make a difference! Use our secure
online donation page or mail it in.
http://www.genderodyssey.com/participate/donate/index.htm


WELCOME TO GAY CITY!

Gay City began its collaboration with Gender Odyssey
last year and has stepped up their involvement with us
even further! We are excited about their new role as our
fiscal sponsor as well as our partnership in evolving
Gay/Bi focused programming! Our non-profit status as
Gender Odyssey: Project of Gay City enables you to make
a tax-deductible gift to support this conference and
helps us keep rates affordable. It also means support
and continued development of services and programs that
are trans-friendly for our significant Gay/Bi Trans
community!

To donate
http://www.genderodyssey.com/participate/donate/index.htm

For more about Gay City Health Project:
http://www.gaycity.org/


A WORD FROM THE PRODUCERS

We're VERY excited this year! Not only is this our
5th conference, but we have a fresh wave of support
and enthusiasm that is propelling us to a new level
of programming and capacity. Leaders, both local and
national, are getting involved in Gender Odyssey in
ways we've never before experienced and what lays on
the horizon is amazing. If you could only see the
"behind-the-scenes" this year - well, it's thrilling!
So right now, we want to personally invite you to
come to the conference. We believe it will be an
unparalleled year! We're also confident it will
change your life. If you're anything like us, you
will be encouraged and refreshed by our community's
spirit and vibrancy. Come share in this exciting
new phase of Gender Odyssey's evolution.
Be a part of history!

To register
http://www.genderodyssey.com/details/registration/index.htm

We look forward to seeing you there!

Aidan Key and Beau Sebastian