FIVE-DAY EVENT FOR TRANS PEOPLE, FAMILY MEMBERS, PROFESSIONALS, AND MORE; SPEAKERS INCLUDE SUPREME COURT PLAINTIFF GAVIN GRIMM, CONGRESSMAN MIKE HONDA AND MICHELLE HONDA PHILLIPS, MORE

Seattle, WA, Aug. 03, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This August 23-27, as the transgender community and its struggle for equal treatment and public education continues to make headlines around the country, and as the community navigates an increasingly fraught and hostile political climate, Gender Odyssey will hold its sixteenth annual international conference focused on the needs and interests of this diverse population.

 

WHAT: Gender Odyssey Seattle is an international conference focused on the needs and interests of transgender and gender-diverse people, their loved ones, and professionals who serve them. Packed with thought-provoking workshops, professional training opportunities, discussion groups, networking, and social events, this one-of-a-kind annual gathering attracts people from all over the world for an uplifting weekend of skill sharing and community building at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, USA.

 

The five-day event will include Gender Odyssey Professional, offering programming for medical caregivers, therapists, social workers, teachers, counselors, students, and others seeking to advance their understanding of gender variance and transgender identities.

 

The Seattle conference will also feature Gender Odyssey Family, an annual, dedicated conference for families who are working to navigate the day-to-day realities of raising a gender-diverse or transgender child. As one of the only opportunities in the country to find valuable resources, information, and networking opportunities, Gender Odyssey Family provides real tools for families to support their child’s gender self-discovery. GO Family will offer special programming for teens, as well as a day camp for the children attending. A highlight of the family track will be the parents panel highlighting diverse families who have been highly visible and fierce advocates for their trans and gender-creative children.

 

Additional programming includes a storytelling event, an art show showcasing the work of transgender artists Darius X and Flynn Bickley, and community social events, including events dedicated to parents, teens, and people of color.

WHO: Transgender and gender-diverse people, their families, and professionals and students who seek to advance their understanding of this community.

 

Featured speakers will include:

 

• Diego Sanchez, keynote speaker and Director of Policy at PFLAG. An out transgender man, Sanchez was formerly Senior Policy Advisor to Congressman Barney Frank.
• Dr. Rachel Levine, keynote speaker at Gender Odyssey Pro, and Physician General/Acting Secretary of Health for the state of Pennsylvania. Dr. Levine is the highest-ranking transgender official in state history, and one of the few transgender state-level appointed officials in the country.
• Gavin Grimm, the student who sued for the right to use the boys’ bathroom at his high school, and plaintiff in G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board, currently being reconsidered by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Joey Maldonado, who successfully fought to become America’s first openly transgender Boy Scout, and his mom, Kristie Maldonado.

• A parent panel featuring parents of transgender children, including: Michelle Honda-Phillips, parent of a transgender daughter, Malisa, and daughter of former California Congressman Mike Honda; DeShanna Neal, mother of a transgender daughter, Trinity; and Kristie Maldonado, mother of Joey Maldonado.

 

For additional information about presenters and programming, visit http://www.genderodyssey.org/seattle.

 

WHEN/WHERE:

 

2017 Gender Odyssey and Gender Odyssey Family:

August 24-27, 2017

Washington State Convention Center

705 Pike St.

Seattle, WA 98101

 

Gender Odyssey Professional Seattle:

August 23-24, 2017

Washington State Convention Center, 3rd Floor

705 Pike St.

Seattle, WA 98101

 

REGISTER: To register, go to http://www.genderodyssey.org/register/.

 

About Gender Odyssey

 

Gender Odyssey’s conference programming is focused on the needs and interests of transgender and gender-diverse people from across North America and around the world. Gender Odyssey provides them a place to gather together, learn from one another, and celebrate their growing communities. By creating a place for transgender and gender-diverse people to share their collective experience, Gender Odyssey’s primary objective is to offer tools to navigate obstacles and provide pathways to individual and community empowerment.

 

Gender Odyssey’s successful track record of continuous growth and innovative programming has inspired a very high attendee return rate as well as a solid reputation for thought-provoking, quality workshops.

 

Gender Odyssey is open to all. Anyone may attend regardless of gender identity or gender expression. We embrace the presence and participation of our families, partners, and allies. The conference encourages the attendance of those who serve this community and wish to attend in order to expand their knowledge and understanding of gender diversity and transgender issues.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/11c79786-b4ae-49da-8944-e7913d5b296a

Cathy Renna
Gender Odyssey
9177576123
cathy@targetcue.com