Trans*Voices Conference 2014

On November 22, 2013, Garden of Peace Project presented the Trans*Voices of Pittsburgh, a show entirely dedicated to the trans* community and giving space for the marginalized, and too often silenced, trans* community a place to share their experiences, the joys and sorrows. We were very proud to share our stories and have such a large audience in an intimate space. Over the past two weeks since the Trans*Voices of Pittsburgh debuted, Garden of Peace Project has received such positive, encouraging feedback from the community. A few ideas that the community has given have been: • To host another Trans*Voices of Pittsburgh 2013 • To do Trans*Voices of Pittsburgh every year • To train other community leaders to present a Trans*Voices (for example: Trans*Voices of Toronto or Trans*Voices of Miami) of their area We have chosen to combine these ideas and create something new. Next year, we will host a FREE Trans*Voices Conference 2014 from Thursday, November 20, 2014 (Trans* Day of Remembrance) through Sunday, November 23, 2014. Through our outreach efforts, we hope to host, a minimum, of 30 LGBTQIA, with a preference for trans*, organizers from around the US and abroad, especially Latin and South America, where an overwhelming majority of homicides against trans* individuals occur each year. At the Trans*Voices Conference 2014, participants will learn to develop their own story of Self, story of us, and story of now, while learning to teach others these same skills. Participants will learn about activism, advocacy, and organizing within the community around this essential issue of marginalization plaguing the larger community. Participants will attend the Trans*Voices of Pittsburgh 2014 show on Saturday evening. On Sunday, we will do a farewell debrief with the participants and do a few lasting and encouraging activities for their final push to create the Trans*Voices of the city/town or replicate Trans*Voices of Pittsburgh in their city/town.