Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action

Saturday, November 10, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca St., Sanctuary

If you are interested in learning about how you, individually, and our congregation, collectively, can support transgender (trans) and non-binary people and their loved ones, come join us for a day-long event of education and community building. With featured plenary speaker, Rev. M Barclay, a non-binary trans minister in The United Methodist Church, you’ll be invited to grow in understanding of what it means to be trans today, learn how the Christian faith can support people in their transitions, deepen your understanding of gender, and walk away with practical tools for celebrating people of all genders.

At this entry-level event, you are welcome if you don’t know what transgender means, if you’ve never met a trans person, or if you don’t know what gender has to do with God. All we ask is that participants bring an open heart and an open mind. Cost is $20 and lunch is provided. Please contact Pastor Cathy Stone with any questions at cathy@fumcaustin.org.

Childcare is available with reservations made to our Childcare Coordinator, Pam Coronado at childcare@fumcaustin.org by Wednesday, November 7. Reservations are not final until confirmed.

Schedule:

• 10:00-11:15 a.m. – Trans 101 and Q & A
• 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – God, the church, and a trans empowering faith with Q & A
• 12:1 -1:15 p.m. – Lunch provided with optional table conversations (see subject matters below)
• 1:15-2:15 p.m. – Practices of welcome and solidarity and extended Q & A
• 2:15-3:00 p.m. – Optional small groups for community building

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/god-in-transition-a-day-of-faith-formation-tickets-49695570790

Equality Texas Foundation & Texas Health Institute Announce a New $250,000 Contract and a First of Its Kind Texas Research Capacity-Building Project to Improve the Quality of Healthcare for Transgender Texans

TransFORWARD, A Statewide Transgender-Powered Research Collaborative in Texas, will engage transgender Texans in a ground-breaking research capacity-building project to improve the lives and health of transgender Texans.

The Washington D.C. based Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), an independent, nonprofit organization whose mandate is to improve the quality of healthcare based on evidence, awarded a first-of-its-kind contract, research capacity-building project to connect transgender Texans with medical researchers.  The Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award will build research capacity by engaging 2,500 transgender Texans in clinical comparative effectiveness research studies.

A Research Engagement Advisory Council will be formed to guide the two-year project and eight regional groups will be created across the state where transgender patients, researchers, and organizations will participate in patient-centered outcomes research at various health institutions.  TransFORWARD is a community engagement partner with the University of California San Francisco’s PRIDE Study/net to recruit transgender Texans to participate in studies.

For more information on TransFORWARD and this project: https://transforward.texashealthinstitute.org/programs/pcori/

Chorus of Opposition Helps Prevent Anti-Transgender Bill
from Becoming Law in Texas

Today, HRC released a new graphic highlighting the many voices that joined together to successfully stop anti-transgender legislation that was considered in the Texas legislature. It can be viewed here.

Due to the outpouring of opposition from Texans from all walks of life, anti-transgender legislation is dead for this session. HRC is proud to have worked throughout the regular session and special session with a coalition of organizations, including Equality Texas, the ACLU of Texas, the Texas Freedom Network and the Transgender Education Network of Texas.

A summary of the range and diversity of opposition to these discriminatory efforts can be found on the graphic. Those who helped stop these anti-transgender measures include:

• Ordinary Texans, including transgender people and their families
• Faith leaders [including many of our UMC and MFSA members!]
• Educators
• Advocacy groups
• Child welfare groups
• Law enforcement
• Business leaders and companies
• Financial investors
• Economic development
• Travel and tourism
• Arts and entertainment
• Sports

“It’s official: Texas legislators have adjourned without passing a new anti-transgender bill this special session,” said JoDee Winterhof, senior vice president of policy and political affairs. “First and foremost, these bills were defeated because of the many voices that came out in opposition, raising their voices in one chorus to say, ‘don’t discriminate in the Lone Star State.’ To be sure, these same voices that opposed discrimination this session will make the same level of noise in the future if lawmakers attempt to discriminate against any members of our communities again.”