Grant: Dissemination Events - PA: Gender, Sex and Health Research

What: "Change in Basic Assumptions: Breaking with Pathology, Affirming Gender Diversity" is a four day national conference and pre-conference organized by The Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health, the largest national interdisciplinary professional organization for transgender health in the world. It is designed to educate and update medical and health care professionals in order to further the knowledge and skills required to meet the health care needs of individuals with gender variant identities. The ultimate goal is to increase access to competent transgender health care across Canada. As well, the four day event will provide opportunities for transgender and gender variant individuals to meet alongside professionals working in health care and from other related fields. The conference and pre-conference is also intended to encourage existing and new researchers interested in transgender health care to collaborate in the creation of future projects. Who: Professionals in medicine, psychology, law, social work, nursing, counselling, psychotherapy, family studies, sociology, anthropology, sexology, speech and voice therapy, and other related fields; individuals who identify across a wide range of gender expression such as transgender, transsexual, and individuals who do not express their gender in line with society's norms, their families and allies. Why: There is an increasing number of individuals who identify across a wide range of gender expression looking for transgender related medical care. Along with that increase, there is a well-documented lack of knowledge, skills, and competence in the area of transgender health care with medical and health care professionals and other related fields. This conference and pre-conference workshop will strengthen access to competent transgender health care across Canada. Where: The Hotel Fort Garry, Winnipeg, Manitoba When: Pre-conference and conference: Sept. 20-23, 2012