Media interest in David Weekley's stories has continued to slowly build. He and his wife, Deborah were on the Early Show this morning...
www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/
You can read the ABC News print item here...
abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/congregation-embraces-transgender-minister-larger-church-rift/story
You can contact David directly through the new TransFaith Network. Check it out at network.transfaithonline.org
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TRANSFAITH ON-LINE (www.transfaithonline.org) is dedicated to supporting transgender folks in our faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help people of faith become better educated trans-allies.
David Weekley's story is told in Portland, OR
TransFaith Online announces new spirituality track and Interfaith Trans-Clergy Roundtable to be held at Philadelphia TransHealth Conference (June 11-13, 2009; www.transfaithonline.org/transhealth/).
Transgender-identified religious and spiritual leaders are invited to an interfaith luncheon roundtable to share concerns, learn from one another, and strategize for the future. The Interfaith TransClergy Roundtable will be facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Julie Nemecek and the Rev. Jayden Sampson, Esq. on the PTHC Providers Day (Thursday, June 11, 2009). Clergy, seminarians, ministers, and other transgender-identified spiritual leaders are encouraged to attend. There is no cost for the luncheon, but pre-registration is required (www.transfaithonline.org/transhealth/register/).
The PTHC spirituality track will also include clergy training opportunities, community workshops, and trans-friendly religious observances. We are seeking workshop proposals for the spirituality track, as well as for all PTHC workshop tracks. Deadline for workshop proposals is February 15, 2009. If you have a workshop idea; if you are willing to serve on a panel discussion; or if you would just like to help make this event happen, please be in touch with Chris Paige at chris@transfaithonline.org or 215-840-2858.
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TRANSFAITH ON-LINE (www.transfaithonline.org) is dedicated to supporting transgender folks in our faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help people of faith become better educated trans-allies.
2008 was our first full year of active ministry -- and what a year it was!
Helping people of all genders to fully access and transform Jewish tradition...
Hello friends,
TransFaith Online is excited to announce the launch of a new Audio/Video project, called For Such a Time as This. This project picks up where the (cancelled) New Orleans event left off. While Hurricane Gustav prevented us from gathering in New Orleans in September 2008, several of the intended speakers have been able to gather via conference call! We are now working diligently to prepare the results for posting online.
www.transfaithonline.org/fstat
The first of our resulting audio sessions is now available online in its entirety (42 minutes). Vickie Boisseau and Randy Klein join in the "Diversity" panel discussion to talk about crossdressing, intersex, and gender fluidity (among other things!).
www.transfaithonline.org/fstat/diversity
In addition, we have prepared a 4-minute Vimeo/YouTube video with excerpts from Randy's portion of the conversation, where he talks about crossdressing, suicide, getting healthy, and his new ministry. Please embed freely and spread the word!
vimeo.com/1954525 (higher quality)
www.youtube.com/watch (lower quality)
Check back for more new material--or join our email list to make sure you get the news while it's hot!
www.transfaithonline.org/about/updates/
As always, we welcome your feedback!
Chris
P.S. Preparing the audio and video segments is time-consuming. We welcome additional sponsors to join in this project. Please contact Chris Paige (215-840-2858 or chris (at) transfaithonline (dot) org) for more information on sponsorship opportunities.
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TRANSFAITH ON-LINE (www.transfaithonline.org) is dedicated to supporting transgender folks in our faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help people of faith become better educated trans-allies.
Hello friends,
This week is National Suicide Prevention Week, with World Suicide Prevention Day landing on September 10. In honor of the occasion, TransFaith Online has launched new InterSections on Suicide and Depression. Please spread the word!
www.transfaithonline.org/intersections/suicide/
www.transfaithonline.org/intersections/depression/
The Transgender community faces incredible stigma and isolation. Transgender people, when faced with depression, are too often unsure where to turn for support. Fearing judgement from family, from friends, and from mental health providers, transgender people may not get the help that we need to manage depression. And untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide.
Suicide is yet another area where research and statistics are scarce. Studies generally report a pre-transition suicide attempt rate of 20% or more, with MTFs relatively more likely to attempt suicide than FTMs. But some studies indicate that the rate of attempted suicide for transgender youth is higher than 50%.
Please help us break the silence about depression and suicide. Don't be afraid to ask the question, "Are you thinking about suicide?" Educate yourself about suicide prevention and how you can help: www.transfaithonline.org/intersections/suicide/helping_a_friend/
Suicide is not a solution. Don't be afraid to ask for help, if you need it. Don't try to journey through depression and/or suicidal thoughts alone. Help is available: www.transfaithonline.org/intersections/suicide/getting_help/
With isolation and stigma such important factors in the disproportionate suicide rate among the transgender community, we hope to further expand this new area of the website to include stories from suicide survivors, who can speak about what it means to have survived and found supportive community. If you would be willing to let your story be told through TransFaith, please contact Chris Paige (215-840-2858 or chris (at) transfaithonline (dot) org).
Thank you,
Chris
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TRANSFAITH ON-LINE (www.transfaithonline.org) is dedicated to supporting transgender folks in our faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help people of faith become better educated trans-allies.
TransFaith Online is pleased to announce the addition of a new Intersections section of our website (http://www.transfaithonline.org/intersections/), featuring information and resources relating to transgender health and wholeness.
We believe that nurturing the spiritual health of any community necessarily involves paying attention to issues of body, mind, and spirit. Due to the overwhelming risk-factors faced by the transgender community, health and wholeness is truly a matter of life and death.
In our first installation of TransFaith Intersections, we are highlighting concerns about the rate of HIV and AIDS infection in the transgender community:
www.transfaithonline.org/intersections/hiv_and_aids/
We welcome the July/August 2008 issue of "Positively Aware" (http://positivelyaware.com/2008/08_04/index.html) which focused on the transgender community's status as "Invisible and At-Risk." However, in researching this topic, we were dismayed at how few other resources exist on-line addressing issues of HIV and AIDS among the transgender community.
While comprehensive data on the transgender community is not available, local assessments indicate that the transgender community has been one of the communities hit hardest by the AIDS epidemic. There is a desperate need for more resources addressing the unique barriers faced by the transgender community in terms of sensitive prevention and health care resources.
TransFaith Online calls on the transgender people of faith and our allies to:
We are also eager for your assistance in further developing our TransFaith HIV and AIDS InterSection. Please contact Chris Paige (215-840-2858 or chris@transfaithonline.org) with your input, suggestions, and feedback.
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TRANSFAITH ON-LINE (www.transfaithonline.org) is dedicated to supporting transgender folks in our faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help people of faith become better educated trans-allies.
This Friday, August 15, is the 42nd anniversary of the Compton Cafeteria Riot in San Francisco, which happened three years before Stonewall.
There is still time to join us in New Orleans, LA, September 3-7, 2008, for "Many Stories, One Voice" and the transgender pre-event, "For Such a Time as This..." The New Orleans Marriot has extended the deadline for discounted reservations ($99 per night) to August 15, 2008.
The online reservation system will only give you the discount for the 9/4-9/7/2008. But if you call the Marriot directly (504.581.1000 or 888.364.1200) and mention "Many Stories, One Voice," you can get the discount for additional nights.
For more information:
Many Stories, One Voice: www.manystoriesonevoice.org
For Such a Time as This: www.transfaithonline.org/fstat/
Chris Paige
chris (at) transfaithonline (dot) org
215-840-2858
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TRANSFAITH ON-LINE (www.transfaithonline.org) is dedicated to supporting transgender folks in our faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help people of faith become better educated trans-allies.
Video blog of interview with transman and United Methodist pastor, Drew Phoenix
A blog entry, including video of Cameron's comments on the panel.
Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge, a transgender Episcopal priest, spoke in Canterbury at the "fringe" of the worldwide gathering of the Anglican communion.
Intersex Society of North America closes. Accord Alliance to pick up the mantle.
The buzz on the blogs is now official news from HRC.
Join the UFCDC congregation in July as they celebrate Transgender Awareness Month. Weekly events highlight the T in LGBTQ. Worship service, guest speakers, discussions, film, and a talent show round out a month of festivities for us all. See you there!
September 3, 2008: historic opportunity for personal networking, community collaboration, and movement building.
Join us, September 3, 2008, in New Orleans, LA, for personal networking, community collaboration, and movement building.
Upcoming Event
TransFaith On-line is working with the organizers of the Many Stories, One Voice (www.manystoriesonevoice.org) conference to develop a transgender-focused pre-event on September 3, 2008, in New Orleans, LA, titled For Such a Time as This. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details to follow soon.
Request for Workshop Proposals
Meanwhile, the organizers of Many Stories, One Voice are accepting workshop proposals until May 30, 2008 (see: www.welcomingresources.org/msovrfp.htm).
The inclusion of diverse workshops relating to transgender concerns in the larger conference will help our For Such a Time as This conversations continue throughout the week. I hope our transgender friends and allies will consider submitting proposals.
Please spread the word!
Chris Paige
Editor and Publisher
TransFaith On-line www.transfaithonline.org TransFaith Online is dedicated to supporting Transgender folks in our faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help Church folks become better educated trans-allies.
The San Francisco Bay Times considers recent results of deliberations among the second largest Protestant denomination in the U.S.
Nominees known for supporting reparative therapy types of approaches to gender identity issues.
Various resolutions against transgender fail in committee at General Conference 2008
United Methodist News Service highlights transgender presence at General Conference 2008
Rev. Drew Phoenix, Sean Delmore, Diane DeLap, and Tina Seitz tell their stories of faith, gender identity, and finding peace.
Fired from Spring Arbor University in February 2007, Julie continues to advocate, write, and seek dialogue.
A new coalition supporting Transgender rights in Massachusetts.
Registration is now open! April 3-6, 2008, in Portland, OR.
Mark your calendar for April 18 and 19, 2008, in the Philadelphia suburbs.
"Brandon pulled the trigger, but bigotry and hatred loaded the gun."
Church folks need to speak out about anti-trans and anti-gay violence -- and now is the time.
Mark your calendar for April 3-6, 2008 in Portland, OR! Registration will be opening soon.
Listen to Candace Chellew-Hodge's interview with pioneering transgender author, Vanessa Sheridan, for yourself!
Responding to community pressure, HRC will support community-based TDOR event in DC area.
New play from Peterson Toscano (also known for "Doin’ Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House--How I Survived the Ex-Gay Movement!") premieres Monday, November 19, 2007 University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
This resource kit includes promotional materials and resources for your TDOR vigil or worship service.
Just in time for your Transgender Day of Remembrance observance!
The Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20 is a day set aside to memorialize transgender people killed due to hate crimes. HRC's Diversity team and Religion and Faith Program are working with Washington, DC steering committee on a solemn ceremony to be held at the HRC building. The event will start at 6:30; all are welcome. Transgender pastor Rev. Drew Phoenix from St. John's Methodist Church of Baltimore will lead the service.
Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036-3278
A group affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network is organizing both hospitality and witness beginning and ending with worship. The Judicial Council meetings will be held at the Hilton Hotel San Francisco at Fisherman's Wharf.
Features include email updates, RSS news feeds, exclusive content, and more!
This year's invitation-only summit will focus on denominational policies concerning transgender people. Co-sponsored by the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry together with the National Center for Transgender Equality.
Scheduled for 8/11/2007 (9 pm), 8/13/2007 (5:30pm), and 8/16/2007 (11am).
