Thursday, October 10 and Thursday, October 24 at 6:00 PM
Understanding Gender and Sexuality in 2024: A Two-Session Workshop Facilitated by Christine Caulfield

Christine Caulfield will present a two-session workshop introducing current gender and sexuality topics. If you want to further your own understanding of what can be a very sensitive subject, this workshop is for you!

In a time of rapid change and controversy concerning gender and sexuality, this workshop aims to clarify participants’ understanding of gender and sexual identities by talking about terminology, the different perceptions and origins of various identities, and sources and impacts of discrimination against gender non-conforming people, especially within the younger population. We’ll also go over how to understand and improve one’s role as an ally of those within the LGBTQ community. Each session will include presentations and opportunities for discussion as well as some exercises, but not to worry – there won’t be quizzes or homework. It will also provide some print, online, and other sources for those who wish to develop a broader understanding of what is covered.

Christine Caulfield is currently a volunteer at MaineTransNet, a statewide non-profit supporting transgender people in many capacities, as well as treasurer and chair of the +35 support groups, facilitating programming, support, and events for transgender people over the age of 35. She is a former public high school teacher of twenty-two years, teaching history, civics and government, several electives, AP courses and a team-taught course that explored the origins of power and privilege in US history. She is a parent of two adult daughters, and a very proud grandparent of four. She has a great deal of experience teaching workshops on various topics, as well as participating in discussion and training panels as a representative of the transgender community. Two summers ago, her testimony was key in the passing of the name change bill by the Maine State Legislature, which ended the requirement for the public notice of name changes in whatever contexts, which protects people who change their names from harassment, discrimination, and violence. She has been on Greater Portland Health’s Board of Directors, which serves over 13,000 patients in the Portland area, almost all within the homeless, immigrant and BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ populations.

This event will take place in the Community Room. For more info, please email elewis@rocklandmaine.gov.