TransForum is an online gathering for trans and gender diverse people to build their capacity in peer support, kick-start new projects and celebrate existing projects within the community. Held on Wednesday 17 February – Thursday 18 February 2021. Presented by Transgender Victoria.
Join a free, two-day online gathering featuring talks and workshops from our community. We will cover how to present an authentic acknowledgement of country, how to access funding for peer support, discuss trauma sensitivity and learn how to share our stories.
The full program is outlined below, reflecting feedback from the trans and gender diverse communities that we work with and are part of. TransForum has an outstanding line up of trans and gender diverse artists, activists, Aboriginal and BIPOC community members.
You can come to as many online sessions as you wish, for free. We will also be announcing new peer support programs for 2021 and holding space for social mixers, storytelling and drag. Come along and tell us what you’d like more of as we prepare to plan face to face meet ups in the coming months.
To find out more or to book visit www.eventbrite.com.au/e/transforum-2021-tickets-139596993365
Wednesday 17 February
Acknowledge This!
10am – 11am
With Rhys Paddick and Emma Gibbens
Want to confidently give an authentic Acknowledgement of Country? This training will help you with a simple structure and practice. Most people presenting an Acknowledgement of Country will read off a script, ad lib one they’ve heard, or worst case scenario treat it as part of housekeeping. This token nature of presentation defeats the purpose of what Acknowledgements of Country are meant to represent in the first place.
Peer Support Information Session
11 – 11.45am
With Son Vivienne and Oliver Ross
What is peer support? Is there an agreed definition or range of activities? TGV’s peer support staff present a range of existing initiatives training opportunities and announce new ideas to come in 2021. Learn more about how community members are supporting each other and accessing resources. How can we help?
Project ambitions vs reality
12.30 – 1.15pm
With Eliki (Alec) Reade, Sam Elkin and Joshua Francis
Join independent producers and community facilitators to unpack what makes a “successful” project. How do you identify goals, manage complex needs and be happy with project results? Is there a difference between short term impact and sustainable culture change?
Managing Complex Trauma in Peer Support
2 – 3.30pm
With Dragan Zan Wright
In this 90 minute webinar, learn how to define trauma and understand its impact for trans and gender diverse people using the principles of Trauma Informed Practice. How can we create ‘safe enough’ inclusive spaces for our community? Topics include defining trauma, how trauma impacts the brain and nervous system, understanding impacts of systematic betrayal, and how to regulate trauma responses.Dragan Zan Wright is a non-binary transgender psychotherapist who works with complex trauma and gender, sexuality and relationship diversity.
Transomatics
3.30 – 4pm
With Sumarlinah Winoto
Join Sumarlinah for an online Transomatics practice to connect with our bodies. Transomatics is a project and practice developed for the trans and gender diverse community to help deal with gender dysphoria.
Thursday 18 February
Telling Your Story
9.30 – 11am
With Laniyuk, Nevo Zisin and Nikki Viveca
Queer, non-binary, Jewish writer, activist and public speaker Nevo Zisin will host a panel of established writers, picking their brains about the good and bad parts about sharing your life in public. Does it affirm your gender identity or impose rigid definitions? Is it worth trying to change the world if you have to deal with trolls and backlash?
Finding allies and getting support
11 – 11.45am
With Rani Pramesti and Joshua Francis
How do you get support in order to do peer support? Do you need a grant or is it better to recruit volunteers? How do you keep going when the money or human energy runs out? Rani and Josh explore different ways of getting started and how to keep going when the going gets tough.
TransForum Wrap Up
1 – 2pm
Hosted by performance artist and cabaret goblin Six Inches Uncut with guest artists
Fancy a lunchtime variety show-meets-cabaret? Come and feast on some talents from our trans and gender diverse community, whetting your appetites and stimulating a hunger to get involved in more creative projects throughout the year.
