Bringing together transgender and gender-nonconforming communities.
The 15h annual Gender Odyssey Conference was held in Seattle from August 4 to August 7. This year, 1300 people attended from all over the world.
The conference offers a place for transgender and gender-nonconforming people, as well as allies, to gather together, share experiences, and celebrate the growing communities as they empower one another to overcome the obstacles faced.
The 2016 conference offered an extensive slate of programming. Keynote speakers included model and trans activist Geena Rocero, and leading transgender health care expert Dr Madeline “Maddie” Deutsch.
Attendees also had the chance to partake in workshops, films, receptions, performances, and events aimed specifically at parents, children, teens, and people of colour.
The rich diversity of the community was reflected in the international attendance. Attendees came from over 30 US states, Canada, Australia, Israel, India, the Philippines, South Africa, Namibia, Nigeria, England, Scotland, and Nepal.
130 teens and their families and over 108 children attended the conference. The programming provided children, teens, and their families with the information and support they need to live lives that are true to their gender identities.
The conference also attracted 250 attendees to GO, Professional, Gender Odyssey’s conference for professionals and students working with and in the transgender and gender-nonconforming communities.
Gender Odyssey’s founder Aidan Key said, “We could not be happier with the success of this conference. At a time of great visibility and great challenges for the trans and gender-nonconforming population, our attendees came from around the world, from every age, ethnicity, and background, to demonstrate the full diversity of gender identity.”
Key added, “We are proud to provide a vital safe space and a crucial opportunity for our attendees to learn from each other as they strive to build a world where all people can be true to their own selves.”
