SEATTLE, WA: FTM 2005: A Gender Odyssey is a national conference for masculine-identified people who were assigned female gender at birth. It is place for us to gather together, share our lives, speak our truths, learn from one another, and celebrate our communities. This conference offers workshops addressing the practical aspects of trans lives, including: legal issues; intersections of race and gender;coming out to family and friends; transitioning at work; hormones and surgery; and dating, sex, and relationships. Accompanying events include a vendor fair, art exhibit, cabaret, all-ages dance, and much more.

Now in its third year, Gender Odyssey is expanding and moving! In order to accommodate our growing numbers, we will schedule a third full day of programming and relocate to the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Most workshops and panels offered at this conference are selected from our attendees’ own programming submissions. In addition to other topics, we invite workshop proposals to address the issues of the older and/or post-transitioned FTM and the complex needs of families.

Gender Odyssey is pleased to have Kate Bornstein as our keynote speaker. Kate is a high femme, transsexual dyke performance artist, author, playwright, and social activist. The focus of Kate’s work has been locating and vigorously promoting common ground among outsiders of all sex and gender variations. She is the author of the groundbreaking books, Gender Outlaw and My Gender Workbook. Her current work includes a new solo show, “Kate Bornstein Is a Queer and Pleasant Danger” and a new book in the works, Hello Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Teen Suicide.

This conference is also open to anyone interested in the topics to be covered. Whether you are new to thinking about your gender, well established in your chosen gender, FTM, trans, gender queer, MTF, part of an these communities because of the people you love, or simply questioning the role of gender in your life, FTM 2005: A Gender Odyssey is open to you.

FTM 2005 takes place September 2nd-5th, 2005 in Seattle, WA.

For more info, visit www.transconference.org.