Trans Community of New England’s annual conference, First Event, is right around the corner, taking place at Boston Park Plaza from January 24 to 28. Hosted by one of New England’s top social support organizations for trans folks — and among the world’s oldest, starting in the 1970s, TCNE’s First Event itself is one of the largest and longest-running conferences for the transgender community in the world.
Now it’s back for another year of workshops, professional training programs, fashion shows, speakers and evening dance parties that will bring together participants from across the country.
Find the schedule at tcne.org/first-event/event-schedule/
For tag registration, visit tcne.org/first-event/registration/
And here are just a few highlights from the conference’s vast roster of offerings:
Are You Ok? This is an important part of FE24 presenting very important messages from trans and nonbinary youth with their supportive families. TCNE is doing this to raise awareness and empathy for their community’s youth so everyone can support them much better. There are three ways to learn about these important messages:
(1) “Are You Ok?” Exhibit — Thu, Fri, Sat. 1/25-1/27/23 Location: Mezzanine An interactive walk-through exhibit with QR codes that allow you to read and hear each youth’s story as you view their portrait.
(2) “Are You Ok” Workshop — Sat. 1/27/23 Location: Georgian Room A panel discussion featuring photographer Jesse Freidin, Rebecca Minor, LICSW and three of the courageous trans youth and their parents from Jesse’s award-winning portrait project, “Are You Ok?”
3) “Are you Ok” Keynote — Sat. 1/27/23, 7PM Location: Ballroom A Francis J. Cardullo Banquet
ZODIAC BALL Don’t Miss The Zodiac Ball with Mother Athena West, FRIDAY January 26 in Ballroom A at 10:30PM. Mother Athena West will host this amazing traditional Ballroom experience with $3,000 in Cash Prizes to win! Music by DJ Ignite. Price is $20 At the Door for this energizing Ballroom event! (note: the event is only on Friday, there is no Saturday Ball).
COMEDY SHOW That’s right the FE24 comedy show is happening again this year! Mitzzy Picardo will host and bring in the funniest talent in the Trans+ community to share stories and laughs everyone can all relate to at First Event 2024! See the show on Saturday, January 27, 9:00–11:55 p.m. in Ballroom A at First Event!
TRANSMASCULINE TRACK FE24’s Transmasculine Track has a good number of workshops just for those who identify as transmasculine. Those workshops include such topics as sexual and reproductive health; How do you stay true to who you are and project masculine energy?; Self Massage for Top Surgery; Surgical options for transmen; Transmasculine chest surgery show and tell and other topics.
KIDS and FAMILIES First Event 2024 will again be having a kids and family program. Greater Boston PFLAG is hosting their Saturday program of workshops for families of trans kids. There will be drop-in childcare AND a hosted youth space for 12–19 year olds. Kids under 18 get free workshop attendance (day pass) if registered with a paying adult.
More: tcne.org
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