Balancing fun and friendship at First Event 2010. Matt Kailey reports.
“Living in Balance” was the theme of the Tiffany Club of New England’s First Event 2010conference. The long weekend, which ran from January 13-17, lived up to its promise; providing a balanced selection of workshops, a diverse array of activities, and a variety of speakers for the more than 600 who attended.
Attendees might have also noticed a more balanced population, with a special Saturday Track
for the transmasculine-identified conference-goers, which was organized by Anderson Clark.
“It was a fantastic turnout,” said First Event Chairwoman Jamie Haley (photo right). “Andy Clark produced a great program for the FTM community. I am especially satisfied and proud that we were able to arrange for an FTM program this year. Along with others, I was amazed at the turnout for the workshops for the guys.
“Overall, I feel that the TransMasculine Track was a big success,” said Clark. “There were about 50 FTM and genderqueer folks in attendance, which surpassed my expectations because I really only began putting the track together three months before the conference. I think this shows that transmasculine people will attend transgender conferences if serious efforts are made to provide them with accessible, meaningful programming. If I and the First Event organizing committee commit to repeating the FTM track next year—and we probably will—I would like to address some of the needs of the transmasculine community that we weren't able to focus on this year, such as targeted programming for genderqueer attendees, workshops specifically for FTMs and their partners, and content for parents of FTM youths.”
In addition to the TransMasculine Track, conference workshops ranged from spirituality tosuccessful crossdressing, and from transitioning to trans civil rights. Activities included a pool party, a stage performance, and a flashy fashion show where the ladies strutted their stuff in business wear, casual wear, evening gowns, and some lacy lingerie and lounging clothes best saved for those private moments alone with your sweetheart—or on the runway at First Event.
The conference also introduced an expanded Partners in Process (PiP) program, which involved a series of workshops, socials, and peer support for spouses and partners of trans people attending First Event.
Wednesday night splashed off with a pool party, where all in attendance were encouraged to relax, be themselves, and enjoy the water and the camaraderie. You didn’t have to look like Marilyn Monroe—as long as you looked like you were having a good time!
The MilDRED Love Experience filled the stage on Thursday, as actress, activist, and performance artist MilDRED Gerestant presented her one-woMan show, featuring a blend of comedy, poetry, dance, music, activism, monologue, cultural history, Spirit, expression, and education. And if you think that’s hard to say, imagine the talent of MilDRED, who doesn’t just say it, but does it—with a motto of “Love all of who you are …”
Friday brought the Fabulous Friday Fashion Show, with beautiful women of all sizes, shapes, and ages modeling fabulous (of course) fashions (what else?) from Florence’s Fashions, Glamour Boutique, and their own delightful wardrobes. With makeup by Jamie Austen, Britannya Grace Heavens, Makeup by Nadia, and Natasha Savoy from My Changing Room, these ladies sizzled with every step across the stage.
Dr. Jillian T. Weiss (photo left) took to the podium at the Saturday night Awards Banquet to deliver a keynote address that held the rapt attention of all in the room. In addition to her law work, her writing, and managing her consulting firm, Jillian T. Weiss & Associates -- which works with organizations on transgender workplace diversity issues -- Dr. Weiss has been a key player in the attempt to get the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) passed, and she keeps the community informed through her ENDA Facebook page.
Dr. Weiss spoke of the importance of equality in the workplace and the concern that trans people now have to live a lie in order to get or maintain a job, a problem that a federal ENDA could go a long way in solving.
“We’re not really free until all of us are free in all of our aspects,” she said. “We’ve come to a crisis. If we want full equality … we ain’t gettin’ it now.”
The community must come together in order to get ENDA through Congress, Dr. Weiss said, and that includes all people—trans, gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, straight allies, and everyone else.
“It doesn’t matter what your label is,” she said. “What matters is that we are part of a community. The source of our oppression is all the same. … Every single member of our community is needed to advocate for this, because until everybody’s safe, nobody’s safe.”
Dr. Weiss encouraged everyone who could to go to Washington, D.C. for ENDA Lobby Days, March 14-16, to do so, and to put their representatives in Congress on speed dial and call them every day.
“Love and truth can win over everything else,” she said.
After Dr. Weiss spoke, awards were given in various categories, including the Founders Award, Man of the Year, Miss Tiffany, Best Contributor to the Tiffany Club, Best Contributions by a New Member, and Best Contributor to the Trans Community.
The conference wrapped up on Sunday with a worship service and buffet breakfast.
In addition to the various activities and programs, entertainment included singer/songwriter Karen Grenier on Wednesday and Thursday night, and DJ Greg Powers on Thursday, Friday, Saturday night, when everyone shook their booty—and a whole lot more—on the dance floor in evening wear chosen especially for a party.
The Boston Peabody Marriott Hotel pulled out all the stops for grand feasts on Friday and Saturday night (the dessert bar on Friday night was one of the highlights), and everyone seemed to enjoy every moment. The conference was a great success, thanks to the hard work of Chairwoman Haley and all the volunteers who made the event the special weekend that it was for so many.
“I am very proud of the committee members who work diligently to put on the program,” said Haley. “Everyone worked hard to make sure their responsibilities were completed on time.”
Planning is already underway for 2011, so keep checking the Tiffany Club of New England Web site (www.tcne.org) for details and prepare to mark your calendars for more fun and friendship next year.
See more photos from First Event 2010 here
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Matt Kailey is a Denver author and speaker focusing on transgender issues. He is the author of Just Add Hormones: An Insider’s Guide to the Transsexual Experience and the editor of Focus on the Fabulous: Colorado GLBT Voices. He blogs at www.tranifesto.com and is the National Transgender and Transsexual Issues Examiner for Examiner.com (www.examiner.com/x-12237-Transgender-Transsexual-Issues-Examiner). He can be reached through his Web site at www.mattkailey.com.
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