The last few days, my mind has been occupied with the True Colors Conference.
For those of you who just tuned in, "True Colors is a non-profit organization that works with other social service agencies, schools, organizations, and within communities to ensure that the needs of sexual and gender minority youth are both recognized and competently met."
Every March, True Colors hosts a two-day conference at my alma mater, the University of Connecticut, where thousands of GLBT youths and their supporters from throughout the USA meet to attend what is essentially a GLBT youth convention.
This year will be my sixth trip to the Conference. Except for the first trip when I was just testing the waters, I have presented each time evangelizing the normality of crossdressing and encouraging male-to-female crossdressers to get out of the closet and into the sunlight where they can blossom as women.
My presentations have been well-received, but every year as the Conference approaches, I consider tweaks and changes to my presentation to bring it (and me) up to date. And that is what has been occupying my mind lately.
On of the biggest changes this year was changing the name of my presentation.
In the past, the name of my presentation contained the word "femulate." You know what femulate means and I know what femulate means, but someone off the street perusing the Conference program probably won't know what femulate means and will consider attending some other presentation on a topic they recognize.
So I jettisoned “femulate” and renamed my presentation "Crossdressing Successfully in the Real World." I think everyone will know what that means and might be intrigued to hear me speak.
Wish me luck!
Actor Dave Foley femulating on Canadian television’s The Kids in the Hall, circa 1991.
Wearing Boston Proper.
I like the name change, wish you nothing but the best of everything! Keep doing what you're doing, Stana.
ReplyDeleteI also like the name of the presentation but you have worked long and hard to establish and maintain the "Femulate" brand so my suggestions would be to title the presentation "Femulating ~ Crossdressing Successfully in the Real World". While "Femulating" to me means all that you have put forth over the years I think linking the concept to the brand is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteI am having trouble reading the sign behind you in the top photo. Can you clarify.
Thanks
Pat
The sign is a plaque displaying the title, year, and the name of the artist of the mural on the wall above and behind me, which is in the UCONN Student Union. The name of the piece is "Transcendence" by Frank Federico, 1992.
DeleteStana-
ReplyDeleteIn doing your 'revamp' work, have you looked at or incorporated any materials from the Gender Book?
http://www.thegenderbook.com/the-book/4553374748
They have resources for educators, plus a great 'booklet'.
http://www.thegenderbook.com/for-educators/4583047909
Keep up the great outreaches!
Sincerely,
Joanie in Denver; UConn Class of '91
I would love to attend. Why didn't I know about things like this when I lived in Boston? ~~sigh~~
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like such an awesome conference and great that the univerisity is happy to host such an event
ReplyDelete