Schedule / Program

We'll cover the name change process in DC, MD, and VA and provide self-help materials to get you started on your name change journey. We will also discuss how to update your identity documents and how to navigate recent federal ID document changes.

Amy Nelson (she/her), Jess Davis-Ricci (they/them), Liz Pinolini (they/them), and Gwen Umbach (she/her) 

Whitman-Walker Health Legal Services has been handling name changes and ID doc updates for over 15 years. Since the election, we've been responding to an increased volume of inquiries with up-to-date information in a quick-changing landscape.

Website:

• www.whitman-walker.org/health-services/legal-services/ 

• www.whitman-walker.org/health-services/transgender-healthcare/transgender-care/ 

Instagram Handle:

• @whitmanwalker

Join Dr. Gabriel Del Corral for a conversation about surgery options for transmasculine individuals. He’ll cover procedures like phalloplasty, metoidioplasty, top surgery, and body contouring, and talk through what the process can look like from first consult to recovery. Dr. Del Corral will also share tips for preparing, choosing the right path for you, and what to expect along the way. There will be plenty of time for questions and open discussion. 

Age restriction: 18+ 

Dr. Gabriel Alfonso Del Corral, MD (he/him)

Dr. Gabriel Del Corral is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in gender-affirming procedures, including vaginoplasty, phalloplasty, and facial feminization surgery. As Director of the MedStar Center for Gender Affirmation in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, he leads a multidisciplinary team providing comprehensive care to transgender and nonbinary individuals. Dr. Del Corral is recognized for his expertise in advanced surgical techniques and his commitment to patient-centered care.

Website:

• www.medstarhealth.org/doctors/gabriel-alfonso-del-corral-md 

Instagram Handle:

• @drdelcorralplasticsurgery

In this hands-on workshop, participants will contribute to a trans pride quilt by decorating their own square that expresses yourself and your pride. We will also learn a little about the history and importance of quilts, flags, and other fiber arts in the queer rights movement throughout history. This event reminds us that we are part of a community that stretches across time and space, and creates a quilt that symbolically and literally connects us all. 

After finishing their quilt square, youth may also “Slide Into Pride”, quite literally sliding through history on our jazzed up version of the slide in the Children’s Room. 

This program is open to youth ages 6-18, with different tables for younger youth and teens. Parents are welcome to stay and participate or drop off and pick up your youth at the end of the workshop.

Age restriction: 6-18 

Ty Kitchen (they/them) 

Ty is the Little SMYALs Programs Manager at SMYAL, where they lead programs for LGBTQ+ youth ages 6-13. Ty is a nonbinary educator, camp counselor, musician, and dog dad, who loves finding little bits of queer magic and joy in everyday life.

Jia Rydholm (she/her)

Jia is the current Little SMYAL’s Intern, working hands-on with youth ages 6-13 at SMYAL. Jia used to work at a movie theater where she discovered her passion for film and television. In her spare time, you can find her painting, trekking into Maryland for quality thrift stores, and drinking energy drinks.

Website:

• www.smyal.org 

Instagram Handle:

• @smyal_dmv

At this workshop, we will educate trans folks about the Kink community, kink in general and how to best navigate these spaces as a trans person. Join us in our 3rd year of keeping it Kinky at DC Trans Pride! 

Age restriction: 18+ 

BB Farmer, (they/them)

BB Farmer has been an Agender/Pan/Poly Sadistic Kinkster for 20+ years, educator & newbie facilitator. They have presented at Universities, major conventions and locally. BB’s goal is to make sure that new kinksters have a great first experience. BB is the Owner of Transitions Shopping Service and has been a mentor to many new folx.

Danny Mendoza (they/them or ze/zim)

Danny Mendoza has been a kinkster and community organizer for many years and works to share what they've learned to empower their communities with knowledge. As a Mexican Trans/Poly/Pan kinkster they bring an intersectional approach to everything they do. They have led Body Painting and Wax Play demos at local dungeons and hosted several "Spectacle Scenes" at kink events sharing the magic of Trans joy.

Instagram Handle:

• @facilitator.of.kink

With hate increasing, we all need even more skills for preventing, interrupting, and healing from boundary violations big and small. In this empowerment self-defense workshop, you'll learn the basics of both verbal and physical skills to increase your safety. Anyone can do this! You don't have to be able-bodied or in shape to gain more skills. You'll leave feeling safer and more confident!

Samia Lalani (any/all) 

Samia is a facilitator & advocate working to address harm, abuse, and violence within queer and trans communities of color. They are the co-creator of Transform Gender Collective, a transformative justice collective by and for transmasculine and masculine-of-center BIPOC. Samia facilitates workshops on community safety, empowerment self-defense, de-escalation, and other ways to keep ourselves safe without relying on the state. Samia has been teaching with Defend Yourself for six years. 

AJ Head (he/they) 

AJ Is a facilitator, organizer, and manager based in Washington, D.C. He’s committed to strengthening marginalized communities by empowering them to use their voices and tell their stories. Also a skilled moderator, he’s led conversations with the likes of Ibram X. Kendi and Alice Walker. AJ has been sharing skills for preventing, interrupting, and healing from gender-based violence with Defend Yourself for more than 20 years. 

Website:

• defendyourself.org

Instagram Handle:

• @_samiamia

• @thedefendyourself

 In a world that often seeks to diminish, misrepresent, or silence trans brilliance, it is revolutionary to declare: You have the power to create your own reality.

This session is an immersive, spirit-led journey into alchemy, ancestral power, and trans sovereignty. As a natural-born oracle, mentor, and practitioner of ancestral healing and spiritual embodiment, I offer this workshop as a call to reawaken our innate ability to co-create with the universe. This is not just a conversation about spirituality—it is a lived activation.

Together, we’ll explore:

• What it truly means to “create your reality” from a trans lens

• How projection, fear, and societal backlash are often responses to our power

• The importance of energetic accountability—not as shame, but as liberation

• Releasing internalized narratives and stepping into sovereign authorship

• The path of allowing, rather than forcing, when stepping into our truth

• Why your existence is already the spell—and how to breathe life into that magic

This workshop isn’t about manifesting material things just for the sake of it. It’s about embodying love, truth, and trust in a time that demands deep courage. It’s about understanding that the world we see reflects how we see ourselves—and from that knowing, we have the ability to rewrite everything.

This is not spiritual bypassing. This is spiritual reclamation.

Alexander Rey Perez (divine/he/they/king)

Alexander Rey Perez is a natural-born oracle, intuitive mentor, and founder of Andrxgenisis LLC, a global spiritual and cultural healing network rooted in ancestral wisdom and queer liberation. With over a decade of experience, Alexander has helped hundreds of people on their journey of healing, transformation, and self-sovereignty.

Their guidance spans a wide range of support: from spiritual mentorship and energetic alignment, to holistic health education, housing justice, and trauma-informed emotional support. Alexander’s work weaves together metaphysical teachings, ancestral reverence, practical strategy, and deep intuitive insight to help people reclaim their truth and embody their power.

Website:

• alexanderreyperez.com

Instagram Handle:

• @alexandertheoracle 

• @andrxgenisis

Rise and Resist is a statewide series of community organizing sessions designed to build grassroots power, sharpen our advocacy tools, and mobilize LGBTQ+ Virginians and our allies. These events create intentional space for connection, education, and collective action as we work toward a future where all people are free to live, love, and thrive.

Each session aims to:

• Provide updates on the state of LGBTQ+ rights in Virginia and share Equality Virginia’s advocacy goals for 2025 and 2026

• Strengthen grassroots power in key regions across the Commonwealth

• Center LGBTQ+ voices and personal stories that reflect the everyday challenges impacting our communities

• Connect participants with local leaders and each other to grow inclusive, sustainable organizing infrastructure

A core goal of Rise and Resist is to listen. Through these conversations, we’re gathering input from LGBTQ+ community members and allies to help shape our 2026 legislative agenda—and to identify those who want to take action locally to advance equality.

Ariana Hamidi (they/them)

Ariana Hamidi founded a non-profit youth organization at the start of their career and spent 15+ years as an educator, filmmaker, writer, and activist committed to using art as a tool for advocacy. They have mentored hundreds of LGBTQ+ youth and adults in diverse settings and bring an unwavering commitment to building equity across communities. Before joining Equality Virginia, they worked as an organizational leader and trainer for peer support groups, workshop facilitation, wellness and addiction recovery, housing, and community outreach in Richmond. A first generation American from D.C., Ariana strives for mutual empowerment as a mechanism for social transformation and healing.

Website:

• equalityvirginia.org

Instagram Handle:

• @equalityva

This workshop provides an overview of men's fashion and tips for accessing mainstream masculine clothing styles for people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB). Grounding norms for this workshop include: there is no wrong way to have a body, clothing is art, and what if this were fun? All genders welcome.

Lee (they/them) 

After coming out as nonbinary in 2017, I spent two years reading about men’s fashion and pulling together a more masculine wardrobe. Along the way, I learned helpful strategies and considerations for dressing people who are assigned female at birth in traditionally masculine clothing. I love sharing this knowledge with others to help them feel more confident, save money and time, and find mental approaches that constructively address frustration and emphasize enjoying their sartorial gender journey.

Join Dr. Gabriel Del Corral for a conversation about surgery options for transfeminine individuals. He’ll cover procedures like vaginoplasty, breast augmentation, facial feminization surgery (FFS), and body contouring, and talk through what the process can look like from first consult to recovery. Dr. Del Corral will also share tips for preparing, choosing the right path for you, and what to expect along the way. There will be plenty of time for questions and open discussion. 

Age restriction: 18+ 

Dr. Gabriel Alfonso Del Corral, MD (he/him)

Dr. Gabriel Del Corral is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in gender-affirming procedures, including vaginoplasty, phalloplasty, and facial feminization surgery. As Director of the MedStar Center for Gender Affirmation in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, he leads a multidisciplinary team providing comprehensive care to transgender and nonbinary individuals. Dr. Del Corral is recognized for his expertise in advanced surgical techniques and his commitment to patient-centered care.

Website:

• www.medstarhealth.org/doctors/gabriel-alfonso-del-corral-md 

Instagram Handle:

• @drdelcorralplasticsurgery

Join us for a fun and interactive media party! Through exploring examples of transgender representation in a wide range of mediums and genres, we hope to leave you feeling inspired and excited to explore the world of trans representation. 

The first half of this session will be G and PG. When we move to more PG13 content, we will encourage younger youth to explore other parts of the children’s space, including the slide.

Parents are welcome to stay and participate or drop off and pick up your youth at the end of the workshop 

Age restriction: 6-18 

Jia Rydholm (she/her)

Jia is the current Little SMYAL’s Intern, working hands-on with youth ages 6-13 at SMYAL. Jia used to work at a movie theater where she discovered her passion for film and television. In her spare time, you can find her painting, trekking into Maryland for quality thrift stores, and drinking energy drinks.

Dani (they/any)

Dani is the current Youth Engagement Intern at SMYAL, where they assist with programming and community-building for teens and young adults. Dani has been working with the LGBTQ+ community for many years, and is a storyteller, plant enthusiast and music enjoyer, who loves going on adventures with his hamster Zip. 

Website:

• www.smyal.org 

Instagram Handle:

• @smyal_dmv

Are you the parent of a trans or nonbinary child? Join us for a discussion among peers about the experiences of parenting trans kids of all ages.

Liz Matthews (she/her), Aubrey Roofeh (she/her), and other parents.

This group will be facilitated by a few parents of families that participate in Little SMYALs. Little SMYALs is a social and community program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 6-13, and we are a proud community of over 200+ families in the DC area supporting and uplifting our youth.

Website:

• www.smyal.org 

Instagram Handle:

• @smyal_dmv

We'll go over the state of insurance coverage for transgender healthcare based on type of insurance. There are existing legal protections and rights you can exercise if care is denied. We'll also discuss what steps you can take to overturn a denial of care.

Amy Nelson (she/her), Krisztina Szabo (she/her), and Jess Davis-Ricci (they/them)

We're legal services attorneys with many years of experience handling insurance appeals for trans healthcare coverage. We've handled appeals with Medicaid, Medicaid, employer-based, and commercial plans.

Website:

• www.whitman-walker.org/health-services/legal-services/

Instagram Handle:

• @whitmanwalker

En este taller práctico, aprenderás a hacer tu propia piñata desde cero, explorando cómo este arte tradicional puede convertirse en una herramienta de expresión, sustento económico y construcción comunitaria. Hablaremos sobre cómo las piñatas, más allá de la celebración, pueden ser un acto de resistencia cultural y una vía creativa para el autoempleo, especialmente para personas trans y no binarias latinas. No necesitas experiencia previa—solo ganas de crear, conectar y celebrar nuestras raíces mientras exploramos formas sostenibles de generar ingresos.

English: In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to make your own piñata from scratch, exploring how this traditional craft can become a tool for expression, economic sustenance and community building. We will discuss how piñatas, beyond celebration, can be an act of cultural resistance and a creative avenue for self-employment, especially for trans and non-binary Latinos. You don't need previous experience-just a desire to create, connect and celebrate our roots while exploring sustainable ways to generate income.

Alexa Rodriguez (she, her, ella)

Rodriguez is the director of the Trans-Latinx DMV, a Two-Spirit led organization that centers the needs of Black & Indigenous Trans-Latinx people living in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia, and functions as the regional chapter of the National Trans-Latin@ Coalition.

Website:

• www.translatinxdmv.org

Instagram Handle:

• @translatinxdmv

This workshop will focus on the intersection of budget advocacy, community organizing, and pushing for investments and policy changes within the DC government to support transgender individuals and the broader LGBTQ+ community. Attendees will learn how to engage in budget advocacy to advocate for the allocation of public resources and policy reforms that prioritize transgender needs. Additionally, the workshop will emphasize the role of community organizing in building power, mobilizing for change, and holding policymakers accountable for their decisions. This session will provide actionable strategies for working with both local government officials and grassroots movements to secure sustainable investments for the transgender community.

What Attendees Can Expect:

• A thorough understanding of how to advocate for budget changes that impact the transgender community within the DC government.

• Practical tools for integrating community organizing with budget advocacy to drive effective policy change.

• Strategies for mobilizing and empowering communities to advocate for transgender-specific investments in government budgets.

• Insights into building coalitions and engaging with policymakers to ensure long-term, sustainable funding for trans rights.

• Opportunities for Q&A and sharing experiences with others committed to advancing transgender rights through budget advocacy and community organizing.

Heidi Ellis, (she/her)

Heidi Ellis is an expert in strategy, stakeholder engagement, initiative development, coalition building, and policy. She currently serves as the coordinator of the DC LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition, a group made up of over 20 LGBTQ-led and LGBTQ-serving organizations and individuals. The coalition advocates for vulnerable communities, including Black and Brown trans folks, low-to-no income individuals, youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. Heidi has led the coalition for over four years, supporting its growth and successfully securing over $20 million in investments for LGBTQ+ services, programs, and initiatives in the DC budget. Her work merges grassroots organizing with strategic budget advocacy, helping ensure that the most marginalized communities are represented and prioritized in local government decisions.

Joe Rojas (he/they)

Joe Rojas currently serves on the Political Engagement Committee of the Metro DC chapter of Democratic Socialists of America, working with our local elected officials throughout the DMV to preserve and expand the rights of workers, tenants, and all marginalized populations. They started out as a graduate labor organizer at the University of Texas at Austin, and joined Metro DC DSA in September of 2023 shortly after moving to the area. They quickly became an active member in the Socialist Feminist Section, and later co-chair of the chapter’s Trans & Queer Liberation campaign for 2024. In its first year, BAWG packed thousands of care kits, knocked five thousand doors for the Maryland Reproductive Freedom Amendment, and drove the passage of the Trans Sanctuary Resolution in Alexandria – the first in Virginia! Under the new administration, BAWG has quickly mobilized to block anti-trans legislation in the NDAA and Title IX, and right here in DC helped preserve gender-affirming care by sending nearly 100k letters to the offices of the Attorney General, Deputy Mayor for Health, and hospital executives, followed by a ~200-person daytime rally with the support of local community organizations and labor unions.

Website:

• sites.google.com/view/dclgbtqbudget/home 

This workshop bridges practical information about vaginoplasty with the lived realities of undergoing transition-related change within long-term, committed relationships. Whether romantic, platonic, sexual, or chosen family, these relationships can be both deeply supportive and uniquely challenged when one or more people are navigating bottom surgery.
Through a mix of community storytelling, basic surgical education, and relational reflection, this space will center trans and gender nonconforming people who are exploring vaginoplasty while showing up for—and being held by—their people.

Age restriction: 18+

B Razan, (she/he)

As a queer black trans woman with a rich background in psychology, public service, and coaching, she brings a deeply informed, compassionate, and intersectional lens to every conversation. Speaking from both academic insight and lived experience, she shares her journey through vaginoplasty while navigating the dynamics of a long-term relationship. Her reflections are grounded in self-trust, vulnerability, and the transformative power of embodiment, offering a rare and resonant perspective shaped by both personal healing and professional wisdom.

Website:

• B. Razan Contact Form

Instagram Handle:

• @bck.rzn

Curious about phalloplasty? Hear from transmasculine folks who’ve been through it — how they made their decision, what the process was like, and how it’s shaped their lives. An open, honest conversation for anyone exploring their options. This session is closed to those interested in phalloplasty for themselves (partners may join as their guest).

Age restriction: 18+

Jamison Henninger, (he/him)

Jamison is a trans advocate, professional facilitator, and Executive Director of the DC Area Transmasculine Society (DCATS) since 2017. 

Website:

• www.dcats.org 

Instagram Handle:

• @dcatsociety 

Join New York Times bestselling author Andrew Joseph White for a lively discussion on writing, identity, and embracing the monstrous. Known for his acclaimed novels Hell Followed with Us, The Spirit Bares Its Teeth, and Compound Fracture, Andrew crafts stories that delve into the intersections of transgender and autistic experiences through the lens of horror and rage. In this session, he'll share insights into his creative process, the themes that drive his work, and the importance of representation in speculative fiction. Bring your questions and join the conversation!

Andrew Joseph White, (he/him)

Website:

• andrewjosephwhite.com

Instagram Handle:

• @ajwhiteauthor

A Panel Discussion On Radical  Thriving After Living Life In Survival Mode For So Long

Survival is only the beginning. Join us for a bold and necessary conversation centering LGBTQ BIPOC voices who are redefining what it means to thrive in a world that wasn’t built for us.

This dynamic panel — presented by DC SAFE HAVEN — moves beyond trauma narratives and into stories of joy, healing, cultural reclamation, and collective care. Through lived experience, deep truths, and even a few unpopular opinions, our panelists will unpack how they are exceeding survival and building futures rooted in liberation.

Featuring:

• Community leaders, healers, and cultural workers

• Moderated by Executive Director Iya Dammons & Diana Chase 

Expect:

• Radical honesty

• Embodied wisdom

• Tools for sustainability

• Audience engagement

• Big truths, soft hearts

This is for us — and by us.

Because we deserve more than survival.

#TransPride2025 #DCSafeHaven #LGBTQBIPOC #ExceedingSurvival #ThrivingIsResistance #TransLiberation #RadicalJoy

Website:

• www.baltimoresafehaven.org

Instagram Handle:

• @dcsafehaven

"Mi amiga (o TikTok) me dijo…" Examinando mitos y preocupaciones comunes sobre inmigracion

"My friend (or TikTok) told me…" Examining common immigration myths

This bilingual panel will examine common immigration myths and concerns in the LGBTQ+ immigrant community. There will be translation available for English and Spanish.

Arielle Chapnick (she/her) and Jesus Casique (he/him)

The presenters are an immigration attorney and a paralegal with immigration law experience. 

Website:

• www.whitman-walker.org/health-services/legal-services/immigration/ 

Instagram Handle:

• @whitmanwalker

This keynote address invites attendees on a journey of self-discovery and affirmation, exploring the sacredness inherent in each individual's identity. Reverend Arismendi will intertwine personal narratives, spiritual reflections, and poetic expressions to illuminate the resilience and beauty of trans and gender-expansive lives. Participants will be encouraged to recognize their own divinity, fostering a collective sense of empowerment and unity.​

Reverend Leonina Arismendi (they/them)

Reverend Leonina Arismendi is a seasoned public speaker, activist, and spiritual leader with over a decade of experience advocating for human rights and environmental justice. As a bilingual preacher and writer, she has created and led numerous workshops and sermons that center on the experiences of trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive individuals, particularly within marginalized communities. Their work bridges the realms of art, activism, and spirituality, fostering inclusive spaces for healing and empowerment.​

Website:

• www.leoninaarismendi.com

Instagram Handle:

• @RevolutionaryGirlYanina

Building off last year's workshop exploring queer utopias, Whitman-Walker will present an update on the development of the Partnership Framework to build a Queer and Trans Agenda for Racial and Economic Justice. This workshop will provide an advanced look at the tools created in this project to spark more equitable sharing of resources, more powerful coalitions, and more joyful organizing communities. Participants will be asked to respond and react to the resources and provide feedback on additional areas of support that should be included.

Benjamin Brooks (he/him)

Benjamin Brooks, a gender non-conforming man, is the Associate Director of Policy and Education at Whitman-Walker Health. He works to bring quality healthcare to our community by working with our researchers, providers, and patients to create evidence-based policies that capture opportunities to build health equity. At Whitman-Walker, Brooks works to advance LGBTQ+ cultural competency and humility trainings for healthcare providers and to end structural anti-LGBTQ and anti-HIV stigma. Before joining Whitman-Walker, Brooks created LGBT cultural competency trainings and provided technical assistance and capacity building to HIV providers across the country. He is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law with a law degree and Tufts University School of Medicine with a master’s degree in public health. Before entering law, Brooks spent 10 years working as a tutor and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Berry College in Rome, GA.

Website:

• www.whitman-walker.org/institute/

Instagram Handle:

• @whitmanwalker

Demystifying Grant Writing: Unlocking Resources for Your Organization - In this interactive workshop, participants will learn the essential skills of effective grant writing to secure funding for their organization’s projects and initiatives. Attendees will explore proven strategies for crafting compelling proposals, understanding grant guidelines, and presenting a clear case for support. By the end of the session, participants will have the tools to write persuasive grants, identify potential funding sources, and enhance their organization's chances of success in securing resources.

Workshop Goals: Understand the key elements of a successful grant proposal. Learn how to research and identify funding opportunities. Develop skills to write clear, compelling narratives and budgets. Gain practical tips for tailoring proposals to different funders. Build confidence in submitting grant applications and managing feedback. What Attendees Can Expect: Step-by-step guidance on the grant writing process. Hands-on exercises to craft and refine grant proposals. Real-world examples of successful applications.

Paul Marengo, (he/him)

Paul Marengo brings over 25 years of expertise in development and program execution, encompassing a broad spectrum of fundraising activities including Corporate Support, Foundation Support, Government Support, and Individual Giving.

Website:

• www.prometheanfundraising.blog

Spend an hour testing your sex ed knowledge with a game of trivia! The room will be split into two teams, and attendees will answer sexual health questions on topics like safer sex, kink, consent, STIs, and more.

Bianca Palmisano (they/them)

Bianca is a registered nurse and sex educator with over a decade of experience teaching and facilitating conversations on sexual health. They run the consulting company, Intimate Health Consulting, which was designed to build capacity for healthcare professionals around sexual health and working with communities experiencing discrimination in healthcare. They have a masters degree in nursing from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Bianca is the author of Whitman Walker's "Safer Sex for Trans Bodies" guide published in 2015.

Age restriction: 13+

Website:

• www.intimatehealthconsulting.com

Instagram Handle:

• @intimatehealthconsulting

This 60-minute interactive workshop equips Trans leaders with the tools to navigate a shifting philanthropic landscape. Participants will explore how to fundraise with integrity, build donor relationships, and leverage their community power to sustain long-term impact—especially during times of political hostility and economic uncertainty.

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Understand how to position their work for funders without compromising identity or mission

• Learn strategies to attract and retain values-aligned donors

• Gain tools to navigate political backlash while sustaining funding

• Explore real-life fundraising success through the TS Madison Starter House case study

Dominique Morgan (she/her) and Monroe Alise (she/her)

Dominique Morgan, founder of Starks and Whitaker Consulting and co-creator of the TS Madison Starter House, is a nationally recognized activist and philanthropist dedicated to uplifting Black trans communities through reentry support and transformative justice initiatives. Monroe Alise, Programs Manager at NAESM Inc., is a trans advocate and actress known for her roles in P-Valley and The Chi, leveraging her platform to champion health equity and empowerment for Black LGBTQ+ individuals.

Website:

• naesminc.org

Since Trump’s first day in office, his administration has attacked our rights and attempted to undermine the existence of trans, nonbinary, and intersex people. But we cannot be erased! This workshop will review Executive Orders targeting the trans community, explore the impact of these changing policies, and discuss current legal responses challenging these unconstitutional actions. Attendees will be encouraged to participate in a conversation on how we can collectively fight back against these attacks and how to advocate for our community.

Ali Curd, (she/her)

Ali is the Staff Policy Attorney for Lambda Legal, focusing mostly on federal policy, with some work focused on Washington, D.C. and Maryland. She also has expertise in housing, economic and racial justice as well as prison and police abolition.

Arli Christian, (they/she)

Arli is Senior Policy Counsel in the National Political Advocacy Department at the American Civil Liberties Union, and focuses on federal and state policy and government affairs work in support of trans rights.

Website:

• lambdalegal.org/staff-board/alexandra-curd 

• www.aclu.org/bio/arli-christian

Instagram Handle:

• @acluofdc

Come discuss your favorite books by and about trans people! Get recommendations from your peers and from DC Public Library staff.

Nathaniel Allen Pila, (he/him)

Nathaniel Allen Pila is a Library Associate on the Outreach and Inclusion Team at DC Public Library. He has facilitated group discussions surrounding trans topics since 2017.

Website:

• www.dclibrary.org

Instagram Handle:

• @dcpubliclibrary

The goal of this workshop is to create a space for people to get in touch with and explore their relationship with gender in a visual way. We chose zines as our medium because since their inception they have been used by underrepresented and marginalized communities to tell their stories in a way that was unfiltered and easily accessible.

In this workshop we will cover the basics mechanics of making/folding two types of zines (a single sheet 8 page mini zine, and a multi sheet booklet), as well as a brief primer on what a zine is and why we chose this medium (and their role in LGBT+ history), before introducing the following prompts:

"What does gender mean to me? How do I define gender?"

"How do I describe and/or express my own gender? What does it look like?"

"What is my gender journey? How has my experience of gender changed throughout my life?"

Oliver Coley, (he/him)

I have run a couple different trans/queer related zine workshops before, and I volunteer as a facilitator for the DCATS monthly support groups where we often talk about identity, gender, and gender expression.

Queer and trans small business owners are not only navigating the usual challenges of entrepreneurship - they’re also contending with increasing political and policy threats. This workshop with Q+ Collective is designed to equip business owners with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to grow their businesses while keeping themselves and their staff safe.

What Attendees Can Expect to Do & Learn:

• Get up-to-date information on federal and state-level policies affecting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.

• Identify key risks to their business and develop safety protocols.

• Learn operational strategies to sustain and grow their business.

• Engage in discussion and peer learning with other trans and queer small business owners.

• Walk away with actionable steps and resources to implement in their business immediately.

Sevyn Winshel (they/them), Nico King (she/her)

Website:

• qpluscollective.com

• www.fernconnections.com/

Instagram Handle:

• @qplus_collective

• @fernconnections

This workshop will introduce participants to the basics of organizing with your coworkers to defend your rights at work. Learn about unions, collective bargaining agreements, and grievances, and how we use these tools to make our workplaces better, including for trans, queer, and nonbinary workers. This means safer workplaces, better health care, fair treatment on the job, and everyone's right to be themselves at work.

Allison Aguilar (she/her), Joseph McCue (he/him), Cindy Sjoquist (she/her), Nat van Arkel-Priest (she/her), Jeff Wheeler (he/him)

Allison, Joseph, Cindy, Nat, and Jeff are union activists working and volunteering within the labor movement. They bring a wide breadth of experience organizing in four different unions (the American Federation of Teachers, the Communications Workers of America, the Association of Flight Attendants, and the Office and Professional Employees International Union). They are also all members and elected leaders in the DC-Baltimore chapter of Pride at Work, the US labor movement’s hub for organizing around LGBTQIA+ issues in the workplace.

Website:

• www.prideatwork.org

Instagram Handle:

• @washbaltprideatwork

This will be an interactive session, supporting partners of trans/non-binary folx in discussion focused on affirming their sense of self, unpacking fears and emotions, and identifying self-care actions that can bring grounding and balance. Facilitators will create a safe space for partners of all genders to process, recenter, and draw support from a sense of community. Materials will be available for participants to draw, write, doodle as they wish. 

Megan Borishansky (she/her), Lauren Hamilton (she/her) 

Presenters are facilitators of the monthly partner support group of the DC Area Transmasculine Society. 

Website:

• www.dcats.org/calendar  

Instagram Handle:

• dcatsociety