Past Meetings

 

July 1, 2006	Fitness and wellness 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.
June 3, 2006	Rights of passage 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.
May 6, 2006	Relationships, body image and sexuality 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.
April 23, 2006	FORGE Nite-Out What? burgers (cow, veg, bird), fries, frozen custard, conversation Where: Bella's Fat Cat, Bay View 2737 S. Kinnickinnic Ave Time: 7:00pm
April 6, 2006	Tranny Roadshow
	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! 10:00 PM @ The Milwaukee Gay Arts Center 703 S. Second Street Milwaukee, WI flyer
March 4, 2006	Body dysphoria vs. gender dysphoria
	We’ve all heard of “gender dysphoria.” It generally means an emotional state characterized by discomfort, unhappiness, anxiety, depression or unease with our gender. “Dysphoria” can also be an obsession with things like appearance. But are we all, by definition, dysphoric? Can we distinguish between what is GENDER dysphoria and what is a more generalized BODY dysphoria? When does dysphoria cross the line into unrealistic fantasies? (You’re short and stocky, but dream of being tall and lanky.) What happens when your dysphoria doesn’t ease through a gender transition? Come to a challenging discussion where we try to sort through these intricately-entwined issues.
February 4, 2006	Indigo is Not in the Grey Scale: Metrosexuals, Genderqueers, and Bois, oh my.
	Gender can be viewed in many ways -- on a continuum, as a sphere, as a construct or in many other ways. The possibilities of gender expression and identity are limitless. February’s meeting will focus on non-traditional and/or emerging identities and gender expressions. What does it mean to be a femme FTM? A butch straight woman? A retrosexual in an increasingly politically correct world? Don’t know what a metrosexual is? Come to the meeting and find out!
January 7, 2006	Movie Night! -- Call Me Malcolm
	Join us for a relaxing evening following the bustle of the holidays to watch “Call me Malcolm.” Thanks to the Milwaukee LGBT Film Festival coordinator Carl Bogner, we have the opportunity to screen this engaging documentary featuring a transgender seminary student struggling with faith, love and gender identity.

 

December 3, 2005	Family issues
	Families -- we all have at least one. Whether you are closely connected or are estranged from your family or origin, have created a community of friends who you now consider your family, are interested in improving your relationship to the people in your life, or want to pursue creating a family, this meeting is for you. We'll discuss issues of coming out to family; family acceptance and rejection; building a close network of friends that become your family; bringing children into your life through adoption, insemination or through traditional means; legal issues associated with parenting; blended families; and much more.

 

August 6, 2005	Pathways Transgender Program's annual picnic
August 13, 2005	Surgery and body modification
	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.
September 24, 2005 Special Event!	Transition Fluidity
September 3, 2005	Metrosexuals, retrosexuals, femmes, butches and other non-traditional identities
	We no longer live in a John Wayne era. The possibilities of gender expression and identity are limitless. September's meeting will focus on non-traditional and/or emerging identities and gender expressions. Identities can be complex, so people may have many identities that encompass their gender identity or the way they are perceived in the world. What does it mean to be a femme FTM? A butch straight woman? A retrosexual in an increasingly politically correct world? Don't know what a metrosexual is? Come to the meeting and find out!
October 1, 2005	Gynecologic (and breast) health
	FTMs, butches and other trans-masculine people often feel somewhere between hesitant to adamantly opposed to having gynecologic exams. (Of course, many non-trans women feel the same way!) For most of us, what remains between our legs is one of the overt signs of our natal “female” bodies. Pelvic and breast exams are frequently emotionally and physically uncomfortable; but they don't have to be. A great number of FORGE attendees have breasts (or residual breast tissue post chest reconstruction), uteruses, vaginas, and/or ovaries. Taking care of ALL of our body is essential for good health. Come to learn why it's important to have regular pelvic and/or breast exam(s) and how to make it easier by reducing your fear/apprehension and working with your provider to make the experience more comfortable. [Note: FORGE is in the process of recruiting a medical provider who will discuss strategies and techniques to ease GYN exams discomfort.]
November 5, 2005	Hormones (with guest speaker)
	Guest speaker to be announced. FORGE is in the process of recruiting a local physician to come speak, answer questions, and discuss medical aspects associated with testosterone use.

 

 

June 29, 2005	Transgender Focus Group on Health Issues
	As part of a statewide planning project to address the needs of LGBT adults in Wisconsin, Diverse & Resilient is funded by the University of Wisconsin Medical School to conduct focus groups, review relevant health literature and conduct a survey. Please take a few minutes to add your voice to the information and knowledge needed to address the health concerns of LGBT people here in the state of Wisconsin. Results of the survey will be posted on the Diverse & Resilient web site in September. Any questions please contact Brenda Coley Director of Adult Services at 414-390-0440. Attend a focus group on June 29 -- 7:00 - 8:30pm -- to share your experiences with specific issues transgender people face in accessing healthcare. Join us at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center -- 315 Court Street -- for an interactive discussion that will benefit all Transgender (and LGB) folks in Wisconsin, by identifying needs and generating ways of correcting problem areas. More info? Click Here.
July 2, 2005	The Language of Transgender
	Eskimos have dozens of words for snow. How many words do we have or use to describe gender or transgender? Language rapidly develops, allowing us to be more specific about our social gender, our bodies, and our lives in a bi-gendered world. The mainstream media has shifted in how it uses language in relation to gender and sexual orientation. How has the transgender community used language to encompass who and what we are?

 

June 4, 2005

How did we get here? How did we figure out that we were trans*?

How did we figure out that we were trans*? How did we discover we wanted to partner with a trans person? How did we come to accept our trans family member? The process of self-discovery can gradually emerge or rapidly surface. For some of us it is a questioning of who we are, on our own terms, at our own pace. For others, someone else's revelation may cause us to examine our relationship to them, as well as to ourselves and our beliefs. The unearthing and road to understanding is clear and obvious for some, while for others it is muddled with questions and uncertainty. We all reach different places and are all constantly evolving and continually becoming the people we are. Where are you today? How did you get here?

 

May 7, 2005

Relationships, body image, and sexuality

Relationships can be tough for anyone! Trans people and partners of trans people 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 sexuality. We may delve into specific areas of sexuality, including sexual orientation, using “hardware” to enhance sexual relationships, communicating with your partner, getting what you desire.

 

April 2, 2005

Hormones

Hormones are an option that many trans+ people pursue.  We will discuss the choices people make to use or not use hormones.  Discussion will include various methods in which testosterone is available (and the pros and cons of each);  expected desired masculinization (vocal pitch lowering, body hair, facial hair, body shape changes, cessation of menstruation, etc.) and undesired side effects (acne; changes in weight, cholesterol, blood pressure; live function; red blood cell conditions; cardiac risk; hair loss; etc.); routine health maintenance and suggested blood and other tests that are encouraged for those taking testosterone; as well as contra-indications of hormone use. Included in this discussion will be the impact on SOFFAs, including changes in their transpersons' smell, emotions, body shape, and social presentation.

 

 

February 7, 2004   Finding partners and maintaining relationships     Finding a partner can be challenging regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Seeking new relationships can be difficult but not impossible! This meeting will address both finding new relationships and/or sexual partners, as well as staying partnered. Some topics that might be addressed are how to build deeper, more intimate relationships, negotiating bodies and sexuality, coming out, transitioning as a couple from one social “identity” to another, and much more.       March 6, 2004   Tricks of the Trade & Packy Party     Bring your favorite packing, binding, urinating devices to show and tell. This meeting will have a hands-on focus, offering suggestions, tips, techniques for the practicalities of binding, soft packing, hard packing, urinating, clothing styles, hair cuts, and more. To you make your own devices or modify store-bought products? Come share your knowledge and experience with others!       April 3, 2004   Hormones     Hormones are an option that many trans+ people choose. We will discuss the choices people make to use or not use hormones. Discussion will include various methods in which testosterone is available (and the pros and cons of each); expected desired masculinization (vocal pitch lowering, body hair, facial hair, body shape changes, cessation of menstruation, etc.) and undesired side effects (acne; changes in weight, cholesterol, blood pressure; live function; red blood cell conditions; cardiac risk; hair loss; etc.); routine health maintenance and suggested blood and other tests that are encouraged for those taking testosterone; and contra-indications to hormone use.       May 1, 2004   Sexuality     Sexuality is a core component of many adults (and teens) lives. Whether we choose abstinence / celibacy or being sexual only with ourselves, or if we seek relationships with others (committed long term relationships, anonymous interactions, flirtations, long or short term "tricks"/"fuck-buddies", monogamous or polyamorous relationships), FTM+s/SOFFAs may approach sexuality differently than those who have no trans-experience of involvement. We will explore issues of self love and body acceptance; cruising and flirting; trans+ erotica, sexual orientation (and if/how it shifts); changes in libido; mixed orientation relationships; SM as a tool for expanding and exploring gender; negotiating with partner(s), sex clubs and segregated environments; tools (harnesses, dildos, etc.); and safer sex techniques and negotiation.             September 7, 2002   Body Language We will examine our self-concept; address style and expression options; and discuss how body language and appearance impact others' perceptions of us. Issues of body acceptance and comfort, unique personal style, barriers (such as lacking finances, disabilities, body size, etc.), and stereotypes will all be central compentnet of this discussion.             February 5, 2005   Fitness and wellness     Guest presenter: Pat Walsh Pat will discuss meditation and spiritual wellness. Topic description: 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.). Join us for a brief presentation by Pat Walsh on meditation, self-acceptance, and being more comfortable in our bodies, followed by discussion on this wide-ranging topic.       March 5, 2005   Bathrooms, passing, legality, fear     Guest Speaker: Waring Fincke Whether we are partnered to a trans person, or whether we transition or not, we all may face transgender-related legal issues. Join us for a guest presentation by Waring Fincke -- a local Wisconsin lawyer familiar with many legal issues faced by the trans community. Waring is married to Pathways gender therapist Gretchen Fincke. Come with your questions and listen to a lively exchange about common (or less traditional) legal issues facing transgender people and SOFFAs. Topic description: One issue important to most trans people is how to handle public restrooms. We'll have a blunt discussion addressing fears of passing, differences in bathroom etiquette, how to feel more comfortable and stay safe at the same time.

 

More Information?

For more information about FORGE (meetings, basic information, resources), please contact FORGE, PO Box 1272, Milwaukee, WI 53201. Phone: 414-278-6031. Email: info@forge-forward.org.