Healthcare Considerations for those at the Intersection of Neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ Identities

Sierra Miller; Melissa (Mel) Houser 

There is a significant overlap between the LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities. LGBTQIA+ individuals are more likely to be neurodivergent, and vice versa. In order to improve healthcare access and equity, it is essential to understand the intersectional healthcare experiences of neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ individuals. In this session, we will review the relationship between neurodiversity and diversity of gender and sexuality, and discuss strategies for improving access to LGBTQIA+ affirming and neurodiversity-affirming healthcare.

Eat Richly & Heal the Planet: Basic Home Nutrition on the Cheap

Acorn Swiggum; Frances Rose Subbiondo 

After a fun group activity to get minds & mouths moving about food, eating, and health, we will delve into food’s interconnected relationship to our individual & collective health, as well as that of the planet.  We will explore patterns of eating, buying, growing, and connecting over food that are healing to the world — and also share simple, beautiful recipes that invite all to eat well, and affordably.  We hope to plant the seeds of a more resilient world by sharing skills & knowledge needed to prepare delicious food, while investing in food systems that deeply nourish any place we call Home.

Breaking the Social Mirror: An Introduction To Surviving Workplace Trauma and Reclaiming Your Career

Chris Delatorre 

Career Trauma. What is it, why does it happen, and how is it holding us back? In HR theory, the term “social mirror” is used to explain how our childhood, current environment, social pressures, and societal perceptions play a critical role in defining our career—the jobs we take, how we see ourselves as professionals, and how likely we are to lead successful and fulfilling lives. If you find this unsettling, you’re not alone. Have you been to work lately? It’s a mess. High turnover, low pay, backstabbing coworkers, dysfunctional leaders, work-life imbalance, bad communication, double standards, digital overload, burnout—it’s no wonder we’ve lost our enthusiasm for work. The average worker has it bad. And queer folks, we have it worse. Why? As it turns out, our unresolved trauma is holding us back.

Our Health Depends on Storytelling

Murphy Barney

Participants will have an opportunity to tell their stories about navigating health systems and what they need in order to feel and be healthy. The storytelling will be facilitated and happen in small and large groups throughout the hour. Storytelling in this session can happen verbally or in written form (or other forms if folx so choose). Participants will have the option to have their stories included (anonymously) in a story archive that will be shared with health providers throughout Vermont to inform healthcare practices to more equitably serve LGBTQIA2S+ community members.

Demystifying Letters for Gender Affirming Surgery

Micah O’Connor; Amelia Schlossberg

As a patient, getting letters from medical and mental health providers can be an overwhelming part of seeking gender affirming surgery. Our goal is to be transparent around the letter writing process including why insurance companies and surgeons require letters in support of surgery and what typically is asked of folks when seeking gender affirming surgeries. This presentation and Q&A will provide information and resources to make this process a little more accessible no matter where you are at in your journey. All are welcome, whether you have just started considering medical gender affirmation, are actively seeking surgery consultation, or are supporting a family member or loved one in this process.

Food IS Medicine: 3SquaresVT and How Food Insecurity Affects Overall Health

Lechelle-Antonia Gray 

This session would be an opportunity to share information about the assistance programs that can be beneficial to LGBTQIA+ folks who are facing food insecurity and may not have the tools and support to access these resources. We would like to share information about 3squaresVT/SNAP benefits, who to contact for application help, eligibility requirements, and where these benefits can be used around the state.

Policy Implications for Improving Community Climate and Access to Housing for Rural SGM Populations

Jaz Routon

Grounded theory informs my analytic strategy in that it examines social processes and conditions and attends well to what and how questions to emphasize abstract understanding of a specific phenomenon (e.g., capacity building), and recognizes that the understanding needs to be located in a specific circumstance (Charmaz, 2014). The stakeholder interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The sample includes 16 interviews with Kentucky stakeholders and 7 interviews with Illinois stakeholders, with a total sample size of 23 stakeholders. The research team utilized the constant comparison method of coding and analyzing interviews through three stages: open-coding, axial coding, and selective coding (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). The coding process helped develop our understanding of capacity building to support unstably housed SGM populations in rural community contexts.

Somatic Care and Practice for Gender Affirming Surgery

Chris Siegriest

Learn how to both prepare for surgery and integrate how your experience of surgery went through working with the body. Practice stabilization techniques together; how to land resources in your body and settle the nervous system. Take in hot somatic tips about how to work with anesthesia, the bodies flight and fight response to choosing surgery, and being with confusing emotions that might be present. Helpful for anyone considering surgery, whose gone through surgery, and/or is on a surgery support team. Centering trans and non-binary joy and agency.

Food and Herbs for Nervous System Resilience

Naomi Ullian

This workshop will offer participants a cup of tea and a chance to learn ways to support ourselves and our loved ones in managing the stressors and responsibilities of this world, so that we can respond to our needs and those of our communities from a stable sense of self, self-worth, and deep reserves. For more information about the herbalist and presenter, visit www.tinyponyapothecary.com.

We Take Care of Each Other: Building Health Care Coalitions for Queer and Trans People

Harvey Feldman

This session will focus on the presenter’s experience co-founding and leading the Gender Diverse Care Coalition of New Hampshire, a “group of providers across specialties whose mission is to expand access to gender affirmative care through training, consultation, resource sharing and advocacy.” In a time of political and cultural crisis for transgender and queer people, coalition building amongst the community and their allies is an essential element of resistance and protection. This session will focus on the process of coalition building, as well as some of the learning lessons along the way.

Queer Sex Ed: Strap-ons and Anal Play

Kell Arbor

A pleasure-based romp through two queer sex ed topics; strap-ons and anal play.  Join Kell in this participatory session to go over gender inclusive anatomy, sex toy materials and how to info, communication tips and more.

Trans Femme Surgery Show & Tell / Q&A

Megan Roberts 

Answering all the questions people may be afraid to ask and having frank and open conversations about expectations vs realities of surgical options for transition. We will discuss types of surgical procedures, answer basic insurance questions, talk about preparation and recovery and if possible show some of the results of GCS/BA and FFS for any folks who are curious. I know I had a ton of questions prior to surgeries and wasn’t always able to find someone willing or able to answer them. I hope this session provides some of those answers. Open to trans femme folks 18+. Workshop may contain nudity. No photography permitted.

Gender-Affirming Primary Care: Hormones, Health and Happiness

Samuel Lurie; Dr. Rachel Inker

Join members of the Gender Affirming Care team from the Community Health Centers to discuss your questions about medical care for trans and gender diverse folks. We have been providing Gender-Affirming care to Vermonters for over 20 years. Come learn more about ways to access care that can keep you healthier, understand more about gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), Informed Consent, and tools to engage with health care providers in ways that help you meet your needs for health and wellness.

LGBTQ+ Primary Care

Summer Burch; Juliette Carr 

Describe integrating LGBTQ plus care into primary care at Grace Cottage Family Health – both successes and places to improve upon.  Both Juliette and Summer will describe their personal approach.  Short Q&A session after.

Storytelling as Healing

Jayy Covert; Delanté Keys 

Join the Queers from Outright (Jayy & Delanté) as they guide you through exploring the process and potential power of utilizing one’s own narrative, while underscoring how the commitment to developing and clearly articulating one’s own narrative can serve as a valuable touchpoint in the process of healing from trauma and harm.

Supporting LGBTQI+ Survivors of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence

Kim Jordan

LGBTQI+ survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual violence face specific risks and barriers to accessing safety and support. How can you be a gender-affirming advocate, healthcare provider, community member, and support person for the queer/trans abuse survivors in your life? The SafeSpace Anti-Violence Program is Vermont’s only LGBTQI-specific anti-violence program in Vermont, working to transform harm with and for people impacted by violence, abuse, hate, bias, harassment, discrimination, and other individual, community, and systemic harms. This workshop will provide education, context, resources, information, and tools to help you better support LGBTQ+ survivors, identify the unique needs & barriers facing our communities, and explore ways to break through the barriers to help transform harm.

Working with LGBTQIA+ People: Best Practices

Kell Arbor 

The Working with LGBTQIA+ People – Best Practices Training will cover a brief overview of identity development, provide exercises to distinguish and understand the components of the LGBTQIA+ acronym, facilitate a discussion around pronouns and how to normalize conversations regarding personal pronouns, review the minority stress model, and hold a wrap-up conversation where participants identify best practices when working with LGBTQIA+ clients using all of their newly gained information.

Youth Organizing as Primordial Prevention: Outright’s Strategy for Building Hope, Equity, and Power with LGBTQ+ Youth

V Pearson

In this session you will hear about the strategies Outright is using to build protective factors at multiple levels to support violence prevention in the LGBTQ+ youth community, as well as both the internal and external work of shifting adultist frameworks in our relationships and work with LGBTQ+ youth.

Let’s Talk About Sex

Dr. Devika Singh

A facilitated discussion on sexual health care including diagnosis and screening of sexually transmitted infections and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Queer Conception

Tessa Micaela Landreau-Grasmuck

We’ll touch on DIY and clinical options for getting pregnant, menstrual cycle tracking for insemination, options for obtaining sperm and sperm health, different insemination methods (DIY methods ICI, IUI, medicated cycles, IVF), and ways providers and community can support queer folks on the family building journey. We’ll also discuss conception for trans* folks who use or have used exogenous hormones, as well as trauma informed conception care for providers.