Bear is always happy to draw on his 25 years of experience in discussing and exploring 2SLGBTQ lives and identities to help improve cultural competency, service provision, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, or navigate rocky waters where inclusion work has been challenging.
LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF GENDER
Just exactly what is a transsexual, anyway, and how do they get that way? How is transsexual different from transgender, exactly? And what is genderqueer, and why do the words keep changing, and none of these newspaper articles make sense, and can’t you kids today just make up your damn minds!? An informational and personal lecture about hormones, surgeries, ‘social gender’, gatekeepers, identification (and its discontents), and all the nuts, bolts, mechanics, fears, hopes, and dreams before and beneath a gender change. Rated M for mythbusting.
SING IF YOU'RE GLAD TO BE TRANS
While the difficult narratives of trans life are valid and deserve our attention, is it not perhaps enough with the all-misery-all-the-time trans channel? Being trans is not a reason for pity, scorn, shame, or apology. This lecture celebrates trans bodies, communities, awareness, sex, love, particular talents, successes and self- creation with a faultless logic and good humor that may just make you appreciate transfolks (or being trans) in a whole new way. Highly recommended as a Trans Day of Remembrance companion event.
WELCOMING YOUR TRANS OR NONBINARY COLLEAGUE
An overview of the top three things anyone can do to improve a sense of safety and belonging in their school, workplace, or organization for trans and nonbinary people. We will cover the critical concept and then follow up with specific and practical steps you can take to create a positive environment for work, study, or recreation. This lecture can easily be tailored to specific workplace or recreational context.
TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT FAMILY DIVERSITY
For parents and educators who may be struggling to understand and adopt best practices in discussing family diversity with their children or students. An overview of key concepts followed by opportunities to practice approaching and discussing 2SLGBTQ families and addressing any objections or concerns in educational or social context. A friendly and non-judgmental participatory talk that welcomes any level of experience discussing queer and trans topics with children and youth.