Events › We'll Always Be Here: A Summit on Trans Lives Past, Present, & Future

Dayton, Ohio's first and only summit on transgender history returns, and it's bigger and better than ever! This year's event will provide transformative sessions for trans, non-binary, and allied individuals from grade 7 throughout adulthood. Each breakout session has an activity targeted towards those seeking to learn about the trans past, those seeking to develop skills for their future, and those who seek to simply enjoy the present. 

Building opens at 9:30AM. Free parking is available in the underground parking garage accessible on St. Clair Street. 

Schedule Breakdown:

Opening Ceremony

10AM
First Floor
Eichelberger Forum

Join us as we kick off our historic (and historical) day filled with trans joy and awesome allyship!

Keynote Speaker

10:15AM to 11:15AM
First Floor
Eichelberger Forum

This year's keynote speaker is the nationally celebrated trans author Robin Gow (he/it/fae).Robin is a Lamda Literary Award winning author of multiple YA and Middle Grade books, including A Million Quiet Revolutions, Dear Mothman, Ode to My First Car, and Gooseberry. Robin is an autistic bisexual genderqueer person passionate about queer and disability justice.

Break

11:15AM to 11:30AM

Use the restroom, grab a drink from the water fountain, or chat with some newfound friends!

Choose One: Morning Breakouts

11:30AM to 12:30PM

Use Your Voice! A Gender-Affirming Vocal Workshop

11:30AM to 12:30PM
Second Floor
Community Room

Voice pathologist Marissa Nguyen leads a workshop in gender-affirming voice care. Nguyen holds a Master of Arts degree in speech-language pathology from Miami University and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). 

Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton's Cafeteria

11:30AM to 12:30PM
First Floor
Eichelberger Forum

A groundbreaking documentary on a trans uprising that occurred even before Stonewall, Screaming Queens celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Created by the trailblazing trans historian Susan Stryker, it captures a community of trans women and drag queens who fought police harassment and made claim to their human rights. 

Craft and Chill

11:30AM to 12:30PM
Third Floor
Conference Room 3A

Do neither of the above breakouts appeal to you? Don't sweat! Come craft and chill in Conference Room 3A. 

Lunch

12:30PM to 1:30PM
First Floor
Eichelberger Forum

Let's cultivate community by breaking bread together! With pizza provided by PFLAG Dayton, let's chat, chill, and play games. And don't forget to connect with the resource tablers!

Mutual Aid Plenary Workshop

1:30PM to 2:30PM
First Floor
Eichelberger Forum

Our keynote speaker is back for more! Besides being an award-winning author, Robin Gow commits much of his time to providing mutual aid to his queer and trans neighbors in rural Pennsylvania. In this workshop, Robin will provide insight on how to best implement mutual aid practices in our own communities. 

Break

2:30PM to 2:45PM 

Use the restroom, grab a drink from the water fountain, or chat with some newfound friends!

Choose One: Afternoon Breakouts

2:45PM to 3:45PM

Alteration Nation! A Workshop on Gender-Affirming Clothing Alterations 

2:45PM to 3:45PM
Second Floor
Community Room

Jesy Anderson is the owner and creative director of Needle, Ink, & Thread: A Modern Sewing Studio. Join us for a workshop on how to alter your existing clothing to better align your gender identity and gender expression. No experience necessary. Some supplies are provided, but for the best learning experience, we recommend bringing one of your own shirts from home that you can alter. 

Black, Brown, and Lavender: A Lecture on BIPOC LGBTQIA+ History

2:45PM to 3:45PM
First Floor
Eichelberger Forum

Local librarian Lajmar Anderson, MLIS, leads a talk on how to find sources to further excavate the history of LGBTQIA+ folks of color. 

Craft and Chill

2:45 to 3:45PM
Third Floor
Conference Room 3

Do neither of the above breakouts appeal to you? Don't sweat! Come craft and chill in Conference Room 3A. 

Break

3:45PM to 4PM

Use the restroom, grab a drink from the water fountain, or chat with some newfound friends!

Closing Plenary

4PM to 5PM
First Floor
Eichelberger Forum

Khris Goins, Founder and President of the Black Trans Men of Ohio, leads a panel of Black trans men as they share their lived experiences and thoughts on the past, present, and future. 

Closing Ceremony

5PM to 5:30PM
First Floor
Eichelberger Forum

Featuring a performance by the Dayton Gay Men's Chorus!

Check out our keynote speaker's published books: