Presenters
The expertise available within the Gender Odyssey conference is among the best in North America. Our experts come primarily from within our own gender communities. The many trailblazers who contribute their time and knowledge are the most valuable resource Gender Odyssey has to offer. The amazing presenters who are a part of Gender Odyssey’s programming each year make up a collective powerhouse of informed, dedicated, and history-making people. You won’t want to miss this powerful life-changing conference!
This was an open opportunity to hear a variety of experiences and perspectives. Very well facilitated, thank you. — attendee
Confirmed Keynote Speakers for 2016
We are extremely excited to announce our conference keynote speakers for Gender Odyssey 2016: Geena Rocero and Maddie Deutsch!
Geena Rocero, born and raised in 
Manila, Philippines, is a model, producer, trans rights advocate and host of the new USA Network TV Show ASPIREist. On March 31, 2014, in honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility, Rocero came out as transgender at the annual TED Conference—her talk has since been viewed almost 3 million times. Geena is the founder of Gender Proud, an advocacy and media production company that tells stories to elevate justice and equality for the transgender community. She recently produced and presented Beautiful As I Want to Be, a digital-exclusive series on LogoTV highlighting trans youth, which received a 2016 GLAAD Media Award.
Geena has spoken at the White House and the United Nations, and been featured in many noteworthy campaigns and media publications such as on E’s I Am Cait, the CoverGirl #GirlsCan Campaign, CNN, The Today Show, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, The Advocate, MTV, and others.
Madeline “Maddie” Deutsch, MD, MPH, is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Family & Community Medicine at UCSF. She is the Director of Clinical Services at the UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, with her clinic based at UCSF Women’s Health Primary Care, in partnership with the National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health. Dr. Deutsch has been involved in a number of research and capacity building projects focused on transgender health, in areas such as HIV care engagement and pre-exposure prophylaxis, cervical cancer screening in transgender men, effects of hormone therapy, and collection of SOGI data and use of electronic medical records.
Workshop Presenters 2015
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Jack Alcantara received his BA in political science from San Diego State University in 2001. He studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, and then returned to San Francisco to start law school at the age of 25 when he also began his transition. Jack received his Juris Doctorate from Monterey College of Law in 2010 and is currently in the process of passing the CA BAR Exam to become an attorney.
Pablo Alvarez-Tostado is a natural resource specialist whose focus is on water. He likes being involved with his community through environmental and diversity issues. He enjoys interacting with people from different backgrounds and diverse circumstances, and continues to be amazed by the wonderful people he meets in this life.
Cass Averill, BS, is an FTM computer security specialist who transitioned five years ago on the job. He is a sexual orientation and gender identity activist both at work and in the community. He hosts the primary transgender support group in his city. He is currently in a healthy polyamorous partnership with an altruistic relationship therapist. Together they open dialogs with the community on the subjects of gender, sexuality, alternative relationship models, and the impacts of socialization.
Casey Bent-Callaghan is a proud middle-aged gender transcending genderqueer. They have been an LGBTQ activist since the 1980s when they were doing actions with ACT-UP. As an out 28-year teaching veteran, they have been a cosponsor of their high school’s GSA for 11 years and worked with their administration to have gender-inclusive bathrooms for students and faculty.
Tom/Dana Bevan is a biopsychologist with over 35 years of applied research experience who recently published her second book on transsexualism and transgenderism. Her experience encompasses many aspects of biopsychology including neuro-anatomy, neuro-pharmacology, electrophysiology, and memory/learning. Her books are based on a review of over 3000 TSTG research papers and books. She received a PhD in biopsychology from Princeton University and a BA degree from Dartmouth College. She is a member of WPATH, APA, and GLMA.
A Blythe is a first-year student at Fairhaven College (Western Washington University), pursuing a concentration focused on queer issues and marginalized identities. They grew up in the greater Seattle area, and found community and empowerment through a number of youth-focused organizations. In the past, they have heard other’s stories and shared their own. Now, they hope to engage in conversation and community in a safe, educational, and supportive space.
Brenda Bowers has been a long time contributor to the Gender Odyssey Conferences, the GO Kids Camp, and the Gender Diversity family support groups. She lives in Alaska and is employed by Alaska Dept. of Health & Social Services. She has two children, Bronze and Olivia. She is also the identical twin sister of Aidan Key, Executive Director of Gender Diversity.
Shae Brenn is a Stay-at-Home Dad, Child Wrangler, House Manager, Chef, Chauffeur, Gardener, Janitor, and so on. Shae is a member of the WTP support group.
Royal Brown is a Musician, Artist, DJ, Producer, Activist, and Lover. They do work with glbtqia youth, SIFF, and a myriad of other organizations. Royal is a co-founder of a trans-centered, run, operated nonprofit connecting trans people to resources they need.
Jenny Broyles – Born and raised in South Carolina, Broyles brings diverse life experiences including preschool teaching in South Seattle, relief work in rural Uganda, and youth outreach in London. Having lived in Seattle for the past 15 years, she has volunteered as a mentor with the International Rescue Committee, earned a Masters in Counseling and Psychology from the Seattle School, and is currently working toward becoming a Chemical Dependency Professional. Jenny is interning with Sound Mental Health where she counsels those who have experienced marginalization, trauma, and loss.
Marco Castro-Bojorquez is a youth advocate, educator, filmmaker, and community organizer who strives to create powerful solidarity among people. Born and raised on the Mexican Pacific coast, Marco left his country for political reasons and has lived in California for the past 20 years. Marco likes people who have integrity and believe that this world belongs to everyone and not only a sector of the society. He lives in Santa Monica with his partner and Lola and Kafka, the cats!
Mang L. Chen, MD, earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of California, San Diego, where he graduated magna cum laude and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa national honor society. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh and stayed in Pittsburgh for his general surgery and urology residencies. In the same vein as Dr. Crane, Dr. Chen completed his traumatic and reconstructive urology fellowship in Detroit with Dr. Richard Santucci.
Dr. Lauren Cielo, internationally known psychic healer and teacher, provides clairvoyant healing and spiritual guidance to clients and students in over 20 countries worldwide via a weekly radio show, guest radio and television appearances, and the Golden Rose Psychic Services virtual global community. Recent appearances with George Noory on Coast to Coast AM Radio and Beyond Belief on Gaiam TV have propelled Dr. Cielo onto the world stage. Dr. Cielo is “Gender Transcendent.”
Cameron Kyle Combs is a genderqueer trans* writer, parent, and geek. For the past two years, Cameron has facilitated a session for parents (Gender Aware Parenting and Trans* Parenting) as well as led a writing workshop (Wanted: Your Stories). He has experience both with formal presentations, workshops and informal discussion groups. Cameron is active in his community as facilitator for Pizza Klatch, a group providing support and advocacy for LGBTQQIA youth and their allies in high schools. Along with parenting and community involvement, he contributes to the greater conversation about gender, kink, parenting, and polyamorous relationships on his blog, Butchtastic.net. Cameron is passionate about writing, dark beer, and daring greatly.
Trystan Cotten, PhD, is an associate professor of gender and African American studies at California State University, Stanislaus. His research and teaching focus on gender, sexuality, race, and nationalism in trans migrations and diasporas. He is also the managing editor of Transgress Press and principal architect of its focus as a social entrepreneurial publishing firm devoted to empowering trans* communities. His most recent books are Hung Jury: Testimonies of Genital Surgery by Transsexual Men (Transgress Press 2012) and Transgender Migrations: The Bodies, Borders, and Politics of Transition (Routledge 2011).
Dr. Curtis Crane – After completing more than 10 years of post-medical-school surgical training in urology, reconstructive urology, and plastic surgery, and a fellowship in transgender surgery in Ghent, Belgium with Dr. Monstrey, Dr. Crane joined the world-renowned Dr. Michael Brownstein in San Francisco to form Brownstein & Crane Surgical Services. Dr. Brownstein instructed Dr. Crane in his unique FTM top surgery technique which he has perfected during his more than 35 years of practice. Dr. Crane recruited Dr. Thomas Satterwhite to join the practice in 2014 and Dr. Mang Chen in 2015.
Sam Davis is a genderqueer adult who has maintained their authentic gender expression at work, school, and other activities through community activism and support networks with others who respect gender-nonconforming identity. Sam is one of the original organizers of the San Francisco Trans March, and has facilitated many genderqueer support groups, led Speaker’s Bureau projects, conducted research, and organized trans community events for over 11 years.
Alison Davison – I am Trans*, older, have a decent sense of humor, and am a pretty good listener. I have spent most of my life working in social services (mental health, health care, & HIV care). I have been a “professional Trans woman”—paid to develop and run programs and training. I have been involved in social justice and activism since the mid 60s. I continue on the path of heart and creative trouble-making.
Victor B. De Los Santos has dedicated his career to positive community development throughout more than fifteen years of professional leadership experience. A certified Chemical Dependency Coach, Victor specializes in LGBT recovery, intimacy and relationships. Currently, Victor serves as the Development Director for the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance. Victor volunteers his time and serves as lead for the Recovery Ministry at All Pilgrims Church on Capitol Hill. Victor is currently working on his Master’s for Non-Profit Leadership at Seattle University. Victor strongly believes that Transgender allies need to remain teachable and can be mobilized to have a voice along-side the Trans community. Victor believes that together we can fight stigma and advocate for change.
Danie Diamond is a mixed-race Asian-American non-binary queer/trans person of color who is involved with intersectional community organizing around issues of race, gender, sexuality, and disability. Danie is interested in the potential of socially conscious science and leadership development to empower marginalized communities.
Eli Erlick (she/her) is a trans woman, the director of Trans Student Educational Resources, and a current student at Pitzer College. She was an advocate for California’s School Success and Opportunity Act, the first state law that explicitly spelled out the rights of trans students. Eli has been openly trans since the age of eight and believes that trans youth are a vital part of the queer rights movement.
Dr. Heather Gansel is a neuromusculoskeletal practitioner specializing in proper spinal/articular alignment, muscle imbalances, and soft tissue injuries. Her degrees include: Doctor of Chiropractic and Athletic Training/ Sports Medicine. She has additional certifications in: Personal Training, BOSU Balance Training, Ergonomics, TRX Master Instructor, DVRT (Dynamic Variable Resistance Training) Level 1, FMS (Functional Movement Screening) and Holistic Medicine. At graduation from Palmer West Chiropractic College, Dr. Gansel received the Clinical Excellence Award for outstanding achievement throughout the clinical system.
Robin Gray – I have lived and worked in small towns and rural areas most of my life. I know what it’s like to have to be silent and solitary and wear a mask to survive in such places. I’ve been gradually coming out as a woman in my small town for over a year now—my goal is to be fully out as a woman before the end of 2015.
Susan Golightly graduated from Western New Mexico University with a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Counseling and Gender Studies. She volunteers as a facilitator for the Ingersoll Gender Center and volunteers at Lambert House. While at WNMU Susan founded the Gay/Straight Alliance, and led numerous workshops and panel discussions on various aspects of LGBTQ&I. She transitioned from male to female eight years ago, but self-identifies as agender.
Brooke Hall is a member and organizer of the WTP support group. Brooke is an amazing mother who has fought hard to maintain her parental rights within the WA Court System.
Lucas Hedrick is a trans masculine licensed Acupuncturist from Seattle, WA. His interest in being stealth came from wanting to learn the ways of true manhood without any biased behavior. For the last two years he has been living stealth in about 95% of his life and is now contemplating what it truly means to be your “authentic” self. His journey from butch to mother to now father has brought him many insights and opportunities for self reflection.
Entre Hermanos – Founded in 1993, Entre Hermanos, Seattle’s Latino LGBT organization, has been working to promote the health and well-being of the Latino gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning community in a culturally appropriate environment through disease prevention, education, support services, advocacy, and community building.
Lena Holz has been a nanny in Seattle for 10 years and has a 21-year-old son. She loves kids, animals, the outdoors, playing, and being spontaneous. This is Lena’s second year volunteering for the conference.
Mary Irons is the founder of the WA Transgender Parents (WTP) support group which provides a safe place for trans* parents and their children to make positive social connections. She has been in the field of social work for several years and works with at risk youth/children and their families facilitating wraparound teams.
Sarah C. James is an ordained minister who now calls Scottsdale, AZ, home. Describing herself as a spiritual wanderer, she has discovered a deep place of rest, joy, and grace in the Divine. Formerly a pastor in a large, conservative, evangelical church in Pittsburgh, PA, Sarah resigned from her role there when she came out three years ago as a transgender person. She is burdened by the mistreatment and misunderstanding LGBT people face and experience within their faith communities. Sarah’s marriage of 43 years to Karen survived the crucible of Sarah’s transition. They have two married children who are supportive together with whom they are bound in love.
Allison Jansen holds a Ph.D. in political science and has taught at the university/college level since 1988. Since 2009, she has also taught gender studies. She is a 61-year-old trans woman, who is married and the “co-mama” of two young adults. She has been active in many causes over many years. Other work experience includes airline flight attendant, journalist in Central America, and instructor of English and Spanish in Japan.
Andrea Jenkins, a Chicago native and art appreciator, uses language to connect people and communities, and to empower Black and Transgender individuals across the world. A Minneapolis resident, Andrea discusses her life in relation to art and her role as an artist in the Minneapolis community.
Katy Koonce, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with 16 years of professional experience. In 1998, she founded the first therapist-led transgender support group in Central Texas. She currently leads a psychotherapy group for all genders and co-facilitates a psychotherapy group for transgender women.
Mara Keisling is the founding executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, a national social justice organization working to win life-saving change at the local, state, and federal levels. Mara is a transgender-identified woman and a parent. As one of the nation’s leading voices for transgender equality, Mara has appeared on various news outlets including CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. Mara is frequently quoted in national and local print and broadcast media.
Surat-Shaan Knan is a trans* campaigner, international presenter, and LGBTQI heritage manager. He works for the UK charity Liberal Judaism and is the founder of the landmark oral history projects Rainbow Jews and Twilight People. Shaan blogs for Jewish News UK and volunteers with numerous LGBT* and faith organizations including Global Interfaith Network (GIN) and Cutting Edge Consortium to promote equality in the debate on faith and sexuality.
Erika Ann Laurentz is a cofounder of the Trans Activist Group in Olympia, WA. She is a liaison to the Olympia Police Dept., a retired college instructor, a former deputy prosecutor, police detective, and Vietnam veteran. Her personal history includes surviving sexual abuse and torture, having been bullied from the 5th to 12th grades, experiencing life-changing training in martial arts, and living openly as a transgender woman. She is currently finishing up her academic work in a Masters in Psychology clinical program with an emphasis on serving LGBT clients.
Alyssa Lee is a transgender female who in more than 14 years of personal and professional experiences has chosen to share these life experiences as a business advisor and adult educator. As a guest presenter at local college campuses, she provides others with insight on her experiences with family, friends, sexuality, parenting, social situations and business relations. Working closely with the transgender community, Alyssa understands the importance of advice or guidance that many “under the radar” or “closeted” transgender people need or even just someone to talk to about their feelings which she is always willing to provide.
M. Dru Levasseur is the Transgender Rights Project Director for Lambda Legal, the oldest and largest national legal organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and people with HIV. Dru leads Lambda’s transgender rights work through impact litigation, advocacy, and community education to advance the civil rights of transgender people nationwide.
Marcus Meta Magdalena – “Our hearts meeting is the reason I breathe, the purpose of my life. I do not see myself as a nationality, or as a gender; more so, I relate to the Unicorn, to the heart—the final frontier of the human race.” Heart Warrior, Unicorn, Marcus Meta Magdalena comes to Gender Odyssey, with a broken open heart. Having lived through the spectrum of gender and sexuality, Marcus uses the mediums of theatre and crisis counseling to give and receive love and support to the path, present and calling.
Dr. Tony Mangubat, a native of Seattle, is a graduate of the University of Washington Medical School, studied surgery at the University of Kentucky, and trained in cosmetic surgery with Dr. Richard C. Webster, a legend in the field of cosmetic surgery. He performs a full spectrum of cosmetic procedures including many trans procedures. He lectures worldwide on body sculpting procedures and is a leader amongst his peers. He has served on several Academy boards. See his full resume at LaBelleVieCosmetic.com.
Robin Marquis was raised in rural New Mexico by queer parents and graduated from Fairhaven College, working with Camp Ten Trees, Teen Link, and Powerful Voices. For the last two years, Robin has been the Program Director for COLAGE, a national nonprofit run by and for folks who have trans and /or LGBQ parents that focuses on community building, social justice, and youth empowerment. Robin lives in Oakland with her genderqueer partner.
Kory Martin-Damon has had too many jobs to list here, but is currently an adjudicator for the Employment Security Department. For the past two years, she has been working on a fiction book and strives daily to balance her creative life with her career in order to create a harmonious and satisfying reality for herself. She has learned all about balance from her journeys through her complex gender expressions, her class, and her racial identities.
Marcos Martinez is the executive director of Entre Hermanos, a community-based nonprofit whose mission is to support the health and well-being of, and develop leadership within, the Latino LGBTQ community. Entre Hermanos serves communities that are low income and immigrant (often undocumented), and have limited English language proficiency and limited access to resources such as education and employment. Marcos has served on various boards, including the Youth Media Institute, the Minority Executive Directors Coalition, and the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. Marcos previously spent 20 years working in community radio in Albuquerque, New Mexico, serving as news director and then programming director at KUNM-FM based at the University of New Mexico.
Brettley Mason is a femme trans AFAB person who teaches LGBTQ* and Trans diversity education with service providers in Calgary, Alberta. Brett believes in the healing power of sex that is consensual, communicative, and trans positive—reframing sex positivity as something that is body positive, putting into practice the idea that all bodies are good bodies. Brett has taught queer kink skill-shares in Calgary, Denver, Portland, and NYC.
Dr. Toby Meltzer graduated from LSU Medical School in 1983 and is board certified in both general and plastic surgery. He is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). Dr. Meltzer began practicing at Oregon Health Sciences University in 1990. He started private practice in 1996 in Portland, OR, and moved his practice to Scottsdale, AZ, in 2003. He has privileges at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Campus, Greenbaum Specialty Hospital on the Osborn Campus, and Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Campus. He performs approximately 200 genital surgery cases per year—both MtF and FtM surgeries, including but not limited to: genital, facial feminization and masculinization, chest, repairs/revisions, and body contouring.
Jean Myers – My interest at Gender Odyssey is as a partner, parent and ally. I have valued the benefits of being surrounded by others who share the journey of embracing gender diversity, and look forward to facilitating and sharing lives and experiences with my peers.
Emily Newberry is a speaker, writer, and performance poet living in Portland, Oregon. She is fascinated by the way we dance with vulnerability as our lives intersect. She worked for ten years as a mediator and facilitator until facing discrimination after coming out as a trans woman and now is a performer and trans activist helping the world learn to treasure and grow from our differences.
Dr. Robin Nussbaum presented three workshops at Gender Odyssey 2013: It’s Not Just a Phase, Get It On, and Rules of Attraction. Nussbaum co-facilitated Trans* Parenting with Combs at Gender Odyssey 2014. Nussbaum has extensive experience in diversity and social justice advocacy and training, and in presentation/facilitation and education, both professionally and as a volunteer.
Jude Patton, LMHC, LMFT, PA-C, is a sex therapist, consultant, and social justice/intersectionality advocate, specializing in serving LGBTQIA communities. As an out, open, and proud FTM man, Jude founded Renaissance Gender Identity Services and published/edited a newsletter, Renaissance, in the early 1970s, helping to pioneer education, research, and support for gender-nonconforming children, youth, and adults. Jude has been providing education and advocacy for LGBTI folks for forty-plus years. Jude currently has a private practice, works as a physician assistant for a nonprofit, and is currently writing a book about his years of activism in trans communities.
Ryan Peters is a trans human with a background doing popular education inspired group facilitation in social and environmental justice spaces and is a graduate of Options for Sexual Health, BC’s Sexual Health Educator Certification. Annoyed with Sex Ed that leaves queer, and especially trans folks, on the sidelines, Ryan is passionate about creating fun and participatory sex education spaces that are supportive and affirming for queer and trans people.
Melville Petrosky is an experienced public interest law attorney. He is also a professor of philosophy, psychology, politics, and law in Seattle. In 2010, Melville founded the nonprofit organization TransFTM, a private social-media-based networking group for AFAB individuals that began as a local Washington project, and has now spread nationally. TransFTM is a growing, grassroots, volunteer effort to inform and connect non-female-identified and male-spectrum-identified trans individuals, digitally and on-ground.
Nico Quintana is the policy director at Basic Rights Oregon, Oregon’s state-wide LGBT policy advocacy organization that works to ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Oregonians experience lived equality by building a broad and inclusive politically powerful movement, shifting public opinion, and achieving policy victories. Nico leads Basic Rights Oregon’s administrative policy work, trans healthcare equality work, the Transgender Justice Progr