1. Getting Better with Age: Healthy Aging for Trans EldersΨ - Medical Track
Carl G. Streed Jr., MD, MPH

For trans and gender nonconforming elders, growing older comes with unique challenges and opportunities. From navigating a healthcare system that isn’t always trans-friendly, to managing hormones and age-related medications, aging poses new questions about trans health and wellness. This presentation will discuss current barriers to health and well-being for trans elders, present best-practices and evidence-based guidelines for health care maintenance in transgender individuals, and discuss research relevant to trans elders.

- Identify current barriers to healthy aging
- Understand the unique preventive health care needs of trans elders
- Understand the current state of research in trans aging

2. Initiation of Gender Affirming Hormone TherapyΨ - Medical Track
Julie Thompson, PA-C

Will briefly review the diversity of gender identities and the importance of gender affirming hormone therapy. Will provide information on various options of masculinizing and feminizing hormone therapy, expectations of treatment, and safety monitoring.

- Review the importance of gender-affirmation and the process of initiating hormone therapy through the informed consent model
- Provide an overview of masculinizing and feminizing hormone therapy
- Review realistic expectations and benefits of hormone therapy vs. their associated risks
- Discuss recommendations for monitoring


3. Science vs. "Science": Affirmative Care vs. "Rapid Onset", "80% Desistance", "Wait & See" & other Pseudoscience - Public Health Track, Behavioral Health Track, Medical Track
Laura A. Jacobs, LCSW-R

Increasing numbers of transgender and gender nonbinary youth and adolescents have come out, and there has been unprecedented hostility from those attempting to limit acceptance, a masquerade of 'concern' through misinformation and fear.  But data unmistakably show that affirmative approaches yield happier, healthier, and better adjusted youth. This workshop will feature an overview of "Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria", “80% Desist”, and “Wait and See” as inherently flawed and biased research, a source of confusion and stress for the parents attempting to provide support, and a threat to the wellbeing of these youth.  It will also include discussion of the overwhelming evidence that affirmative approaches - in which the youth’s self-reported gender is respected and where the youth is able to explore without judgment or predetermined outcome - produce happier and better adjusted children who demonstrate improved quality of life, self-esteem,  and self-confidence, along with reductions in anxiety, depression, substance use, and suicide.  These youth discover what gender is appropriate for them, if any.  Rates of regret are miniscule. Only when youth are supported can they thrive.

- Recognize the flaws inherent in “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria”, “Social Contagion”, “80% Desist”, and “Wait and See”, and to place them within a longer legacy of transphobic pseudoscience. 
- Outline the gender affirmative model and how it applies to transgender youth.
- Summarize the benefits of affirmative care and how affirmative approaches yield happier, better adjusted youth. 
 

4. Sex Positive Approach to Care: Theory & Praxis - Behavioral Health Track, Medical Track
Kira L. Manser, LCSW, MEd

It is essential that clinicians develop their ability to integrate sexuality into their service delivery from an affirming and critically-informed perspective. This workshop will articulate a specific sex positive theory as well as outline tangible steps clinicians can take to intentionally create a sex positive practice.

- Describe specifically how to develop a sex positive approach within clinical care
- List three structural choices clinicians can make to create a more sex positive clinical space
- Articulate ways to talk about and affirm consensual, critically informed, fluid, and diverse sexualities
 

Supporting Families in TransitionΦ - Behavioral Health Track
Acey Mercer, LMSW

- Learn to assess gender and body dysphoria to appropriately evaluate youth clients seeking transition.
- Recognize specific parenting practices and their influence on the mental health of transgender youth.
- Identify gender resources and best practices with families