2024 SYMPOSIUM: TRANS ALLYSHIP: LEARN, GROW, ACT

Our 2024 Symposium, Trans Allyship: Learn, Grow, Act was a joint effort by Okaeri, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and PFLAG San Gabriel Valley API. This effort grew from the realization that the transgender community, and its Japanese American and API members, are largely invisible and misunderstood both in LGBTQ+ spaces and especially among allies.

Through this virtual symposium, we aimed to address this gap by (1) facilitating a basic understanding of the trans community, and (2) emphasizing touchpoints of Heart, Head, and Home: to connect, educate, and encourage attendees to take action in their own communities. In doing so, we hoped to educate and inform allies about the transgender community to help them make better-informed and more inclusive social, community, and civic choices.

The symposium was held over Zoom on Saturday September 28th, 2024 and featured an opening plenary, guest speakers, workshops, and discussion groups exploring areas of advocacy, information, and family support.

 

Workshop Sessions:

1. Dispelling Myths and Disinformation About the Trans Community: Hosted by Okaeri Community

Fear often drives the narrative and creates disinformation about the trans community. But what is the truth? Hear from three trans individuals who will share their stories and dispel some of the myths about being transgender. When we hear the truth, it allows us to be stronger and more educated allies, and we need allies more than ever to bring greater humanity to this conversation and to the world.

 

2. The Importance of Family Acceptance: Hosted by PFLAG San Gabriel Valley API

PFLAG is creating a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. The Family Acceptance Project is an evidence-based program for helping families understand the ways in which we can best support our LGBTQ+ loved ones. Hear from PFLAG parents about why it's important and how they have supported.

 

3. Combating Anti-Trans Legislation: Hosted by JACL National

Over the past few years we’ve seen a surge in anti-trans legislation at the state and local level. This year alone there have been more than 150 bills introduced that target gender-affirming healthcare. What role can we play in fighting against transphobic bills and rhetoric in our communities? Join PFLAG and LGBTQ+ Task Force as we dive into the history of anti-trans legislation, discuss recent trends, and get connected to local organizations already doing the work!

2023 SYMPOSIUM: LGBTQ+ ALLYSHIP

Our 2023 Symposium focused on the question of “how to be a better ally” in three different spaces - work, home, and faith spaces, and hosted a diverse set of 6 panels touching on these areas.

2022 MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH WORKSHOP SERIES

In May 2022, Okaeri staff Cody Uyeda and Rino Kodama led a Mental Health Awareness Month Workshop Series consisting of three workshops: “Objects & Stories of Well-Being” with Nikiko Masumoto, “Creating Care Teams” with Audrey Kuo, and “Navigating With(Out) Instruments: A Reading and Conversation on Queer Intersections, Creative Mapping, and Mental Health” with traci kato-kiriyama. The goal of this programming was to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, share resources, and offer a virtual space to be vulnerable and speak truth to our experiences with mental health struggles.

We started off the month with Nikiko’s interactive virtual workshop where we were given various terms related to nourishment and care, and were prompted to gather items from around our homes that remind us of those themes.

In “Creating Care Teams,” Audrey shared a variety of resources and tips in creating support groups, specifically for when a loved one (or yourself) is experiencing a mental health crisis, or in need of organized support post surgery.

Finally, traci shared excerpts from their book, “Navigating With(Out) Instruments”, and reflected on themes of grief, finding deep joy rooted in both biological and chosen family, queer love, and having permission to create as an artist. Their poetry and short stories are an excavation of memories lost and new dreams and worlds, visualized.