Rhodes Wellness College #280 - 1125 Howe Street

A three day gathering of trans people and allies to educate each other and the people they have to deal with. We aim to provide transition information (Canadian resources), a place to explore your gender comfortably, and skill sharing among community members. Dances, movie nights and other social activities, including an All Body Swim. The goal of this forum is to plan where we go next.

The Vancouver Trans Forum is a sliding-scale ($15-$50 per day, no one turned away for lack of funds), community-centred event (July 19th to the 25th) by and for members of the various multiple trans communities of Greater Vancouver and British Columbia. As organizers of this event it is our collective vision that we bring together members of diverse trans communities, both individuals and service providers, to establish a cohesive vision of what the specific needs of our trans communities are at this exact moment in time, through a focus on health and coalition building. We see this is an opportunity for the communities of trans people, their allies and the health professionals that work with them to create community, hear needs and concerns of the communities, and to share the skills and knowledge that we all have.

While this community forum seeks to centre trans people, The Vancouver Trans Forum organizing committee recognizes that for most trans people, "trans" is only one aspect of their day-to-day world. The Vancouver Trans Forum also understands that many trans folk belong to numerous marginalized communities simultaneously. Thus, the Vancouver Trans Forum encourages participation and feedback from persons who experience, combat, and wish to speak about: sexism, racism, ablism, poverty and relative topics that involve intersecting forms of oppression.

EVENTS:

Accessibility Information

VOLUNTEER !

We need your help.

If you are interested in helping out with the Vancouver Trans Forum,
contact us at volunteer@vancouvertransforum.com.

Other contacts:

info@vancouvertransforum.com.

register@vancouvertransforum.com.

billet@vancouvertransforum.com.

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CONFERENCE at Rhodes Wellness College #280 - 1125 Howe Street

The 1st Annual Vancouver Trans Film Fest

$Pay-what-you-can (all proceeds will go to the Vancouver Trans Forum + Divergence Movie Nights)

Please note that the Rhizome's kitchen will be open for food and drink during the event!

Screaming Queens: The Riot At Compton's Cafeteria

Location: Rhizome
Saturday, July 3rd
Doors: 7pm
Movie: 8pm
Discussion: 9pm

Vancouver's Trans Forum, in collaboration with Divergence Movie Nights, presents a screening of Screaming Queens: The Riot At Compton's Cafeteria. A film by Victor Silverman & Susan Stryker (2005), Screaming Queens "tells the little-known story of the first known act of collective, violent resistance to the social oppression of queer people in the United States -- a 1966 riot in San Francisco's impoverished Tenderloin neighbourhood, three years before the famous gay riot at New York's Stonewall Inn." Join us afterward for a discussion about the historical relationship between (cis)LGB and trans communities.

Transparent

Location: Rhizome
Sunday, July 4th
Doors: 5pm
Movie: 6pm
Discussion: 7:00pm

Vancouver's Trans Forum, in collaboration with Divergence Movie Nights, presents a screening of Transparent. A film by Jules Rosskam (2005), Transparent

focuses on 19 female-to-male spectrum folks' "lives as parents, revealing the diverse ways in which each person reconciles giving birth and being a biological mother with his masculine identity, and through the variety of genders the children use to conceive of their parents." Join us afterward for a panel and discussion about issues affecting trans parents/families

Still Black - A Portrait of Black Trans Men

Location: Rhizome
Saturday, July 10th
Doors: 7pm
Movie: 8pm
Discussion: 9pm

Vancouver's Trans Forum, in collaboration with Divergence Movie Nights, presents a screening of Still Black - A Portrait of Black Trans Men. A film by Kortney Ryan Ziegler (2008), Still Black explores the lives of six black transgender men living in the United States. Through the intimate stories of their lives as artists, students, husbands, fathers, lawyers, and teachers, the film offers viewers a complex and multi-faceted image of race, sexuality and trans identity. That night there will also be a screening of the short film Two Spirit People. A film by Michel Beauchemin, Lori Levy & Gretchen Vogel (1991), Two-Spirit People is an overview of historical and contemporary Native American concepts of gender, sexuality and sexual orientation. Join us afterward for a panel and discussion on issues affecting racialized trans people

TRANS SEX WORK THEMED NIGHT

Location: Spartacus Books
Monday, July 19th
Doors: 6pm
Movie: One feature film screened @ 7:00pm 10 Minute Break @ 8:00 (or whenever the film is done) Second Film @ 8:15
Discussion: 9:00pm

Madame Lauraine's Transsexual Touch

Spend an evening at Madame Lauraine's transsexual whorehouse where you can
either eat in or take out! An explicit, sexy and educational film about
sexual health, transsexual sex workers and being a respectful John.

Mirha-Soleil Ross & Viviane-Namaste & Monica Forrester / 34 min / 2001

Salt Mines, The

The Salt Mines explores the lives of three Latino transsexuals who for years
have lived on the streets of Manhattan supporting their drug addictions
through sex work.

Carlos Aparicio & Susana Aikin / 47 min / 1990

(Short films from) La Putain de Compile

Born in the early 1960s, the sex workers movement encompasses groups rooted in 5 continents.  The organisation of sex workers into a movement has enabled their emergence as subjects of their experiences, of their subjectivities, and of their voices.  With short films hailing from Canada, France, USA and India, La Putain De Compile is an eye opening collection that presents alternative discourses and representations about sex work.  Be it in traditional media, in feminist groups, or even in our daily lives, there is a need to give space to those most concerned -- sex workers! This title is comprised of various short films and is often shown with the following trimmed down selection from series:

various / various min / 2006

TRANS/SEXUALITY THEMED NIGHT

Location: Spartacus Books
Tuesday, July 20th
Doors: 6pm
Movie: One feature film screened @ 7:00pm 10 Minute Break @ 8:00 (or whenever the film is done) Second Film @ 8:15
Discussion: 9:00pm

Enough Man

9 Transsexual men (FTM) and their partners discuss and disclose their sexualities. Enough Man features health educators, college students, sex workers, activists and artists, and puts the sex back into transsexuality.

Luke Woodward / 61 min / 2005

Various Scenes from Trans Positive Porn

POLITICS & ACTIVISM

Location: Spartacus Books
Wednesday, July 21th
Doors: 6pm
Movie: One feature film screened @ 7:00pm 10 Minute Break @ 8:00 (or whenever the film is done) Second Film @ 8:15
Discussion: 9:00pm

Georgie Girl

Meet Georgina Beyer, the latest “it” girl of New Zealand politics. A one-time sex worker of Maori descent turned public official, Georgina stunned the world in 1999 by becoming the first transgendered person to hold national office. Born George Beyer, this unlikely politician grew up on a small Tarankai farm and later became a small-time celebrity on the cabaret circuit in Auckland. With charisma, humor and charm, Beyer unapologetically recounts her fascinating life story, shares how she overcame adversity and discloses the reasons she decided to run for office in a mostly all white, conservative electorate. Incorporating an unbelievable montage of colorful archival images dug up from Georgina’s days as an exotic dancer, theatre and television performer, this absorbing documentary breaks down stereotypes and promotes greater understanding of transgendered people.

Annie Goldson & Peter Wells / 70minutes / 2001

Toilet Training

Toilet Training is a documentary video and collaboration between transgender videomaker Tara Mateik and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, an organization dedicated to ending poverty and gender identity discrimination. The video addresses the persistent discrimination, harassment, and violence that people who transgress gender norms face in gender segregated bathrooms. Using the stories of people who have been harassed, arrested or beaten for trying to use bathrooms, Toilet Training focuses on bathroom access in public space, in schools, and at work. Includes discussion of legal questions of equal access; the health effects associated with "holding it"; and the social consequences of experiencing pervasive discrimination in bathrooms and other gendered spaces. Interviews with lawyers, social workers and activists explore current law and policy, and highlight recent and future policy changes necessary to enable equal bathroom access for all. Concluding with examples of policy change, Toilet Training provides a necessary foundation to public education and organizing to address this overlooked issue.

Tara Matiek / 30 min / 2003

SELF-REPRESENTATIONS

Location: Spartacus Books
Thursday, July 22th
Doors: 6pm
Movie: One feature film screened @ 7:00pm 10 Minute Break @ 8:00 (or whenever the film is done) Second Film @ 8:15
Discussion: 9:00pm

100% Woman

In 2002, Michelle Dumaresq became the first openly transgendered woman in the world to be named to a national team in any sport. 100% Woman begins as Dumaresq's mountain-bike riding career did, careening down a rocky path to be met with controversy. From some critics comes cautious concern, from others, complete attack. Beginning with her days on the BC race circuit, to the Canada Cup, the national title and finally, a berth at the World Championships, her progress is dogged by constant scrutiny, both from fellow competitors and the media. Dumaresq insists she doesn't race to make a stand, but doesn't shy from being a trailblazer. She grew up in turmoil over her identity and struggled to come to terms with herself as an adult, even with her parents' whole-hearted support. She takes on the mantle of role model because she understands how isolated others like her feel.

Karen Duthie / 59 min / 2004

She's A Boy I Knew

Vancouver filmmaker Gwen Haworth documents her male-to-female gender transition partially through the voices of her anxious but loving family, best friend, and wife. Finding self-empowerment through self-representation, Haworth’s feature debut is a comic, heartbreaking, and uplifting autobiography that focuses on a family whose bonds unexpectedly strengthen as they re-examine their preconceptions of gender and sexuality.

Gwen Haworth / 70 min / 2007

All Ages Dance Party

Date: July 23rd
Time: 11 pm - 3 am
Where: Rhodes Wellness College, #280 - 1125 Howe Street

Dance Party with DJs Trannysaurus Rex, Biceratops, & more to be announced

All Body Swim

Date: Saturday July 24th
Time: 6:30 - 9 pm
Where: Tempelton Pool, 700 Templeton Drive

This event is open to everyone.
We specifically encourage anyone who typically faces discrimination at pools to attend.

People will be able to use their changing room of preference.

Wear whatever you feel comfortable in, as long as it's clean and safe to swim in.

This event welcomes people of all genders and sexual orientations, of all abilities and all sizes and body types.

This event is free for forum participants. We will be asking for donations to cover costs. No one turned away at the door.

The pool includes : diving board, leisure pool, whirlpool, sauna, slide and rope swing.

This event is wheelchair accessible.
Professional lifeguards will be on duty.

Bus route #7 via 10, 16, N35 and 135.  See Translink Trip Planning.

TransPride March

Sunday, July 25th
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: Marching from Rhodes Wellness College to Nelson Park (distance 1.2 km).

LINKS

Vancouver Trans Forum Facebook page