Date |
Topic |
 Click here for a printable flyer of 2010 meeting dates and topics |
|
|
February 6, 2010
|
Gender outside the box |
|
Gender doesn't have to be contained within one of two boxes. Those of us who are part of the trans community, or who are connected with trans people already know this. However, sometimes it's hard for us to remember that there are an infinite number of ways to "do" gender, to be engendered, to live in a two-gendered world. Not all of us can or want to fit into a binary gender system. Discussion will range from the personal to political - how we make choices about our identity, how we live our day to day lives. Discussion may include how we can celebrate the diversity of gender and support each other in developing unique gender identities that feel right to each of us. This discussion is not solely about trans people either! How does anyone (trans and non-trans) create and live their gender (or lack of gender)?
|
|
|
March 6, 2010
|
Is that legal? (w/ Laura Sette) |
|
Guest speaker attorney Laura Sette will cover a wide range of legal topics, including: what are our rights; how to change name and/or gender markers through the courts; changing driver’s license name/gender;
modifying birth certificates; and if/how the Real ID Act may impact transgender people. In addition to the common “how to” questions, Laura will discuss how to deal with the police, addressing some questions related to harassment and challenges caused by the police. |
|
|
April 3, 2010
|
Spirituality – Ritual (Guest: Wendy Woodruff) |
|
Pastor Wendy Woodruff will guide us through an inclusive, ecumenical journey that will help us feel better connected to ourselves, each other, and All That Is.…… (Journey to Self…) |
|
|
May 1, 2010
|
Sexing it up (w/ Laura Stuart from Tool Shed) |
|
The meeting will launch with guest presenter Laura Stuart from the Tool Shed. Laura will share information about sex toys, passing devices and other products that make sex more fun and living day-to-day a bit easier. Following her presentation, we’ll discuss sexuality: How do we negotiate gender dysphoria and sensuality? How do we navigate our bodies and those we love? What kinds of sexual activities are or aren’t people engaging in – and how has that changed over time? (e.g. penetration?
packing/strapping?) Is sex comfortable – emotionally or physically? Does it change if we transition?
|
| |
|
June 5, 2010
|
Trans history (w/ Brice Smith) & Trivia game |
|
Summer’s the time to play, and tonight we’ll play with our history! Brice Smith will teach us about an “early” Milwaukee contribution to the national transgender movement, FTM International founder Lou Sullivan. Then we’ll see how much we know – and can learn – about the rest of our transgender history by playing a unique, FORGE-generated transgender history trivia game. |
| |
|
July 3, 2010
|
Share-a-thon |
|
Share-a-thon – resources. Bring a resource or idea to share. Maybe you know of a great hang out that is trans-friendly. Do you have a favorite website that has brought you invaluable information? Have you
found a perfect solution for binding in the summer (without suffering from heat exhaustion)? Perhaps you have a book that has changed your life. The format of this meeting will be to have a round robin-style interaction, where everyone can share. |
| |
|
August 7, 2010
|
Love the one you’re with |
|
Is the body you live in one that you find hard to love? This meeting will focus on many angles of how we can love the one we’re with all the time – ourselves! Perhaps we struggle because we cannot afford hormones or surgery and feel uncomfortable with our bodily configuration? Maybe it’s more about disability? Possibly about size? There are hundreds of reasons why people feel uncomfortable in their bodies – join us to hear how people learn to find peace in the body they have.
|
| |
|
September 4, 2010
|
Suicide stigma stinks: don’t erase your future |
|
The transgender community unfortunately has one of the highest rates of suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal thoughts of any population. At this important meeting we’ll talk practicalities: what are the techniques people use to get through rough spots? How can we help each other hang on when the going gets tough?
|
| |
|
October 2, 2010
|
Come out, come out, wherever you are! |
|
October 11 is National Coming Out Day. Come share your Coming Out stories – the good, the bad, and the ugly. If you’re thinking of coming out somewhere new, let us help you plan! (Or even role-play!) At this meeting we’ll also discuss the many good reasons some of us don’t disclose. All strategies and experiences are welcome!
|
| |
|
November 6, 2010
|
The patchwork puzzle: interconnected identities |
|
One of the common things that others do to trans people is reduce us to that one characteristic; let’s make sure we don’t do that to ourselves! In this interactive, innovative meeting we’ll talk about and celebrate other aspects of our identities. Bring your whole selves!
|
| |
|
December 4, 2010
|
Building families |
|
Male pregnancy, surrogacy, adoption, fostering, mentoring…there are many, many ways to bring children and young people into our lives. Come meet some of the local resources who can help you if you are thinking about adding little (or not so little!) ones to your life. (Discussion may also include 4-legged, furry, and other non-human inclusions to create family.) |
| |
|
| |
|
Details about support meetings |
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.
|
Who |
FORGE support group 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. FORGE tries to offer a little something for everyone. Join us if you are new to gender issues and want a supportive place to explore. If you are well-versed in trans issues, you are invited to share your experiences and help elevate discussion to a more complex, philosophical level. Partners, allies, friends and professionals are always encouraged to attend on their own, or with a trans loved one (or client). |
Meeting Location |
Milwaukee's LGBT Community Center
315 Court Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
Meeting Time |
6:00 - 10:00pm
Join us between 6:00 and 6:45pm if you are new to the exploration of gender, new to the Midwest, early in gender transition or have a pressing issue that won't fit into this month's topic (or just want to hang out with others and listen). In this smaller meeting, we can better address individual concerns and help connect people to appropriate resources.
The "regular"/topic portion of the meeting will begin at 7:00pm. Following brief introductions and an icebreaker question, we will delve into that evening's topic. Discussion is free-flowing and loosely facilitated. Attendees can participate as much or as little as they feel comfortable
|
More Information? |
For more information about FORGE (meetings, past meetings, basic information, resources), please contact FORGE, PO Box 1272, Milwaukee, WI 53201. Phone: 414-559-2123. Email: info@forge-forward.org. |
| |
|
| |
|
