Milwaukee-based
social support group schedule |
What |
FORGE
provides local social support, education and resources for those
interested in FTM+/SOFFA issues. FORGE meetings provide a friendly
facilitated setting for FTM+s/SOFFAs to network, share their personal
experiences and stories, become more informed, and to gather resources.
Meeting agendas include:
~ a moderated, single-topic discussion
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Who |
FORGE
social support meetings are open to ALL people interested in FTM+/SOFFA
issues. We support and honor the plethora of ways there are to be
FTM+ / masculine / butch / trans+ and the wide variety of people
who fall under the broad category of SOFFA. |
Next Meetings |
Date |
Topic |
March 18, 2006
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Butch, FTM, Partner Dialogue at Broad Vocabulary |
1:00 - 2:30 PM
Broad Vocabulary
2241 S. Kinnickinnic
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Come listen and share at a FORGE-moderated panel discussion exploring the similarities and differences between butch, FTM, partner and other identities and trans-masculine-related experiences. We will compare and contrast how people construct their relationships, gender/social identities, and what the implications are for ourselves and others.
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March 19, 2006 |
FORGE Conference Organizing Meeting |
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Join FORGE to learn more about the FORGE Forward 2007 Conference. We'll share our progress and discuss next steps. We want your input!
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April 1, 2006 |
What your father never taught you |
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How many of us never learned how to tie a Double Windsor? What about the everyday tasks of shaving? Or what do all of those hand gestures mean in football? Is there a protocol for where to stand to wait for a stall in the men’s room? What does it means to dress business casual? Bring your questions about the things you never learned as a kid, but feel you must know now! If you have mastered some of these skills, come share your knowledge and experience with others! |
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April 6, 2006 |
Tranny Roadshow |
10:00 PM @
The Milwaukee Gay Arts Center
703 S. Second Street
Milwaukee, WI
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FORGE and the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center welcome the Tranny Roadshow to the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center. This one-time multi-media performance art extravaganza is not to be missed! Performers include AJ Bryce, Dylan Scholinski, Jamez Terry, Kelly Shortandqueer, Tona Brown, Seeley Quest, and Imani Henry. Tickets are only $10 and are available directly through FORGE, at the door, or online at www.uncommontheatre.net. Get your tickets early and join us for an unforgettable event!
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May 6, 2006 |
Relationships, body image and sexuality |
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Relationships can be tough for anyone! Trans people and partners may have an extra layer of both challenge and excitement in their relationships. Come and discuss (or listen) to an intimate conversation about finding partners, getting (more) comfortable with and in your body, sharing how you feel about your body, and how it looks or works sexually. We may delve into specific areas of sexuality, including: sexual orientation, self love and body acceptance, cruising and flirting, trans erotica, changes in libido, mixed orientation relationships, SM as a tool for expanding and exploring gender, sex clubs and segregated environments, using “hardware” to enhance sexual relationships, and safer sex techniques, and negotiating with a partner. |
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June 3, 2006 |
Rights of passage |
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Creating rituals or rites of passage can be a transformative component of being more present in your body and life. Using rituals to help define masculinity or other aspects of Self can be empowering and reinforcing, as well as allowing significant people in our lives the joy of sharing in our process. While not everyone codifies milestones with rituals or rites of passage, we all engage in some form of marking as we pass through various benchmarks in our lives. |
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July 1, 2006 |
Fitness and wellness |
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More and more people are taking better care of their body, mind, and spirit. Wellness is more than merely going to the doctor when ill. Many people are eating more consciously, exercising, using vitamins and supplements, altering what they ingest (alcohol, tobacco, water), as well as being more aware of environmental factors (second-hand smoke, pollution, sun exposure, pesticides used on food, purification of water). As people are taking a more active role in their health care, trans people are making more informed choices about how they treat their body -- no or low dose hormones, decisions to have no or fewer surgeries, taking proactive steps to minimize risks (e.g. using milk thistle, having complete hysterectomies, etc.). Come discuss the steps you are taking and learn about additional options. |
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August 5, 2006 |
Snip, poke, tuck: Surgery and other body modification techniques |
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Surgery and other body modifications can be an important marker in some people’s lives. We encourage people to come with open minds and the willingness to share their experiences and, if comfortable, to share the results of their surgeries and other body modifications with the group. We also encourage those who are not interested in surgery to share their views and decisions. A discussion of surgical techniques, skill and personality of various surgeons, healing, desired outcome, stating intentions with a surgeon, after care, and financing will be addressed. We will also look at several non-surgical options which may yield similar or more satisfying -- and often lower risk -- alternatives to surgery. |
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September 2, 2006 |
Tackling our “isms” -- racism, ageism, lookism |
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How do racism, classism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism, ableism, sizeism, and many other “isms” affect us as individuals and as a community? How are we affected and ultimately hurt by stereotypes and oppression, either those of our own group or those of another group? Is it true that only people with power can be oppressive? If so, how much “power” do we each have? What can we do to empower ourselves in the face of stereotyping and strengthen our connection with each other? Come begin the discussion of how we can deal with these issues not only in our daily lives, but also within the greater trans+ community and beyond. |
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Meeting Location |
Milwaukee's
LGBT Community Center
315 Court Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
Meeting Time |
7:00 - 10:00pm |
More
Information? |
For
more information about FORGE (meetings, past
meetings, basic information, resources), please contact FORGE,
PO Box 1272, Milwaukee, WI 53201. Phone: 414-278-6031. Email:
info@forge-forward.org. |
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Resource
Lists (archive) from Meetings |
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