Frequently Asked Questions
What? You think FAQs are made up by the same people who answer them? Ask us some questions, already! Email <conference@forge-forward.org>
Here are some starter questions, you might want to have answers to:
Q: What can I expect? I’ve never been to a transgender conference before.
A: Expect to learn a lot and meet more “types” of people than you may have imagined existed. Expect to wish you could clone yourself to attend at least two workshops at the same time. Expect to need time to yourself so that you can let things sink in and sort out your feelings. There is a tremendous amount of information available at transgender conferences, and some of that information will provoke emotional reactions in you and others. So if you come prepared to be gentle with yourself and others, and to listen to and learn from the tremendous diversity of our community, you’ll be well-prepared.
Q: Are pre-transition FTMs / butches / partners / young people / old people / parents / therapists / health care professionals / lesbians / gay men / bisexuals / polyamorous / newbies / “stealth” trans people / MTFs / trannyfags / heterosexuals / women / (add your label/s here)……. Welcome at this conference?
A: Yes. This conference embraces diversity and is open to everyone. We are particularly interested in representing and addressing issues of concern to the full range of trans-masculine (from “butch” to “male”) and SOFFA (Significant Others, Friends, Family, and Allies) identities. We are aware that often in the transgender community, people feel excluded and/or look around and think there’s no one “like” them present. We are working hard to make everyone feel welcome and affirmed.
There is one caveat. The conference does emphasize the FTM+ side of the transgender umbrella to a far greater degree than it does the MTF+ side. Thus, overall we will have many more FTM+ presenters and entertainers than MTF+ presenters and entertainers, and some workshops (on gender-specific topics like hormones and surgery) will not cover how those topics pertain to people on the MTF+ spectrum. However, many issues such as legal concerns, spirituality, and creative expression are equally germane for both “gender vectors,” and some of the Intensives will cover both FTM+ and MTF+ issues. If you have questions whether a given workshop or Intensive will cover MTF+ issues as well as FTM+ issues, please inquire in advance. However, all attendees are welcome to attend all events.
Q: I really need safe space at the conference where I can meet with people who share “X” identity with me. Will that be possible?
A: Anyone may arrange private get-togethers in hotel rooms, restaurants, or public spaces. People may also sign up onsite to sponsor “ad hoc” meetings or workshops; we have set aside rooms and times for these. However, all official conference programming is open to anyone, regardless of identity. We believe it is important not to discriminate against people based on their identities, and want to encourage people to bring a “support” person with them, even if that “support” person has an identity different from theirs.
A few workshop presenters may, however, set up their workshops so that only people with a certain identity are invited to speak, and other attendees are asked to be silent observers. We will do our best to identify such workshops in the program book and onsite so that you may choose another workshop if this arrangement will not work for you.
Want to know more about the conference organizers’ thoughts on “safe” space versus “only” space? Are you a potential workshop presenter who needs some ideas on how to create “safe space” in a conference where there are no closed workshops? Please read “Making Safe Space,” by Loree Cook-Daniels, originally printed in the 2001 True Spirit Conference Program Book (http://www.forge-forward.org/handouts/MakingSafeSpace.htm). If you have further questions or concerns after reading the article, please email us at conference@forge-forward.org
Q: Is the conference hotel ADA accessible?
A: All event rooms of the Four Points Sheraton-Milwaukee airport are wheelchair accessible, which includes wide hallways and accessible bathrooms throughout. There are elevators to reach non-main-level sleeping rooms.
Q: Is programming accessible?
A: We are recruiting credentialed American Sign Language interpreters who are trans-sensitive, and will make these services available to attendees who need them, without additional cost. If you are an ASL interpreter who would like to be involved or if you will need an ASL interpreter at the conference, please write us as soon as possible at conference@forge-forward.org so we can appropriately plan.
Need another type of accessibility assistance? Please email us at conference@forge-forward.org, and we will do everything we can to meet your needs.
Speaking of which…one of our open volunteer slots is for an Accessibility Coordinator. If you’re interested, email volunteer@forge-forward.org.
Q: Is there financial help so low-income people can attend?
A: There are several ways to help reduce the cost of attending. One is to volunteer your time either at or before the conference, which will earn you a reduction in registration fees. Email volunteer@forge-forward.org. Another key way to lower costs is to register early, when fees are lower.
We are also seeking volunteer Housing and Transportation Coordinators to help match up roommates, either at the hotel or in local people’s homes, and/or to help coordinate carpools. If you’re interested in either of these positions, please email volunteer@forge-forward.org.
We have also established a scholarship fund to help defray registration costs for low-income attendees. If you would like to donate to this fund, please go to http://www.forge-forward.org/conference/participate/donate.php.
If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please email (conference@forge-forward.org) or mail (FORGE, P.O. Box 1272, Milwaukee, WI 53201) answers to the following four questions.
1. Please state why you need a scholarship, and how much you would need in order to attend the conference and/or Intensive/s.
2. Everyone who attends this conference is bringing with them a lifetime of experiences and knowledge. What are the special experiences and knowledge you would bring to the FORGE Forward 2007 Conference and Intensives?
3. If you have plans for using what you learn at the conference back at home, please briefly describe those plans.
4. Please tell us how to contact you. Please keep a copy of what you send to us. We will acknowledge we have received your request (so contact us again if you don’t hear from us within a few weeks) and then ask you to be patient while we raise and allocate funds.
Q: What is the organizational and financial backing for this conference?
A: FORGE was founded in 1994 and is a non-profit organization currently in the process of securing its tax-exempt (501c3) status. We are seeking direct sponsorship donations from individuals, organizations and companies across the country. We are also applying for grants and foundation funding. If you work for a company that provides matching charitable donations or if you have connections with a potential funder or sponsor, please contact us at conference@forge-forward.org and help us make this conference as accessible to everyone as possible.
Q: What is the difference between the “conference” and the “Intensives”?
A: An Intensive is a full day of interrelated training and discussions devoted to one topic, designed and run by one or a small group of well-qualified presenters. People who don’t necessarily want to attend the whole conference may want to attend one Intensive, particularly if the Intensive is relevant to their work or to an issue in their own or a loved one’s life. (That is why Intensives are separately priced.) Potential Intensive attendees are strongly encouraged to plan on attending the full day, to permit richer conversations and relationships to develop over the course of the day. The conference, on the other hand, is a smorgasbord of workshops, plenaries (events during which there is no conflicting programming, so all attendees can attend if they want), the exhibit hall, entertainment, special events, and much, much more. We expect that every attendee will create their own, unique selection of workshops and conference events to fit their own, unique needs and interests.
Q: I would rather be known at the conference by a name that’s not my legal name. Can I do that?
A: Absolutely. The only exceptions to that are: 1) You do need to be prepared to show valid ID if you are purchasing alcohol from hotel staff. 2) We will also need to know the name on your credit card if that’s what you use to pay for registration, but all conference records and name tags can be in any name you choose.
Q: Why a transgender conference in Milwaukee , of all places?
A: One of the wonders of a conference is that it gives out-of-towners a chance to explore a new place while simultaneously giving local residents the opportunity to meet and learn from people they’d never otherwise see. If all you can think of when you hear “ Milwaukee ” is beer, motorcycles, and/or cows, are you in for a surprise! You will find plenty of beer and motorcycles here (the cows are generally outside the city limits), but you will also find much, much more. For links to many of Milwaukee ’s highlights, go to http://www.forge-forward.org/conference/logistics/milwaukee.php. You may also be interested to know that one of the FTM community’s leaders, Lou Sullivan, lived half of his life in Milwaukee .
Q: Isn’t Milwaukee the “frozen north” in winter?
A: The average temperature for late March/early April in Milwaukee is in the 40s, so do bring a heavy coat for the times when you may want to venture out. However, for those of you who like it warm, be assured that because of the hotel’s restaurants and what’s available at the conference itself, you need never step outside if you don’t want to!
Q: I want to sponsor a workshop at the conference. How do I do that?
A: A “request for proposals” (RFP) will be issued to the community around June, 2006. Those who would like to sponsor a workshop will have about eight weeks in which to prepare and send us a proposal. Although the conference will feature more than 70 workshops, we do expect this to be a competitive process. So feel free to start thinking now about what you would like to do at the conference, begin recruiting other presenters/panelists if that’s appropriate, and begin gathering ideas and materials. Conference staff is also available at any point to talk through ideas and suggest additional panelists and workshop structures if that is desired.
Although we are looking for creative ideas and topics about which people feel passionate, final workshop selections will be made in part based on our need to respond to the great diversity of our attendees. What does that mean to potential workshop leaders? Be willing to suggest the “unusual” as well as the “usual,” and also be aware that we may have to turn down really wonderful ideas if there just simply isn’t room for them all.
If you want to be sure you get the request for workshop proposals when it goes out, sign up for the conference announcement list at http://www.forge-forward.org/conference/aboutus/contactus.php.
Q: I want to help organize the conference. How can I do that?
A: There are a couple of ways to think about volunteer roles. We need one set of volunteers at the conference itself (helping with registration, running errands, staffing tables, etc.) and one set of volunteers before the conference to help with mailings, organizing, etc. Volunteer jobs can also be divided into those with an ongoing responsibility (organizing an art show or singles events, coordinating transportation, being the accessibility coordinator, etc.) and those that are one-time deals (assisting with data entry or research, helping with a mailing, etc.). Decide how much involvement and responsibility you want and whether you are available only at the conference or before it. Then check our volunteers section (http://www.forge-forward.org/conference/participate/volunteer.php) to look at what kind of volunteers we’re currently looking for. Only a few jobs have to be filled by someone who lives in the Milwaukee area; if you have email, you can volunteer from anywhere.
Are you thinking you want to be REALLY involved in the conference? We’re looking for a Volunteer Coordinator, one of the most intensive volunteer jobs. If you think you’ve got the skills, energy, and time for this one, email volunteer@forge-forward.org.
Q: I am single and would like to meet people at the conference. What opportunities will there be for that?
A: We are looking for a creative, responsible volunteer to design and run either one singles’ event or a whole series of ways for people to meet each other (for example: putting special codes or stickers on nametags; organizing a speed-dating event; setting aside special singles’ tables at meals; etc.). If this sounds like fun to you, please email us at volunteer@forge-forward.org.
Q: I’d like to make my organization/services/products known to conference attendees. How can I do this?
A: There are many ways to spread the word about your interest in or services to the transgender community. Here are some:
- Distribute a flyer in the registration packet. We will stuff the flyers you provide for a fee of $75. To arrange this, write conference @ forge-forward.org
Q: I’d like to submit an essay or article for the program book. How can I do this?
A: It is not yet clear how many, if any, essays or articles we will be publishing in the program book. If you have already written something, feel free to send it to programbook@forge-forward.org with a note that you’d like it to be considered for publication in the program book. If you want to write something, please contact us at programbook@forge-forward.org to discuss your idea and see where we are in planning program book content.
Q: I’d like to help support the conference financially. How can I do this?
A: We welcome donations of any amount. They can either be specifically for the scholarship fund, or left for us to allocate as needed. If you are willing to donate a larger amount ($500 or more), please see our sponsor section (http://www.forge-forward.org/conference/participate/donate.php) for suggested ways you may earmark your donation, and for a description of the publicity we are offering to sponsors.
Q: My question wasn’t answered here. How do I get an answer?
A: Please send questions to conference@forge-forward.org. We’ll answer you individually and add the question and answer to this FAQ if we think others will have the same question.
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