A Conference Presented by Whitman-Walker Clinic 

June 6, 2009
Hotel Palomar
2121 P St., NW
Washington, DC

Schedule

Session 1 Mind-Coming Out to Your Health Care Provider

Session 1 Body-Health Screenings and Prevention

Session 1 Soul-Herbal Medicine 101

Session 2 Mind-For Better and For Worse: Legal Strategies for Protecting Your LBTQ Family

Session 2 Body-Osteoporosis

Session 2 Soul-Intimate Partner Violence

Session 3 Mind-The Ex Files

Session 3 Body-Safe Sex 101

Session 3 Soul-When I Am An Old Woman

Session 4 Mind-Strong Women Powerful Strategies

Session 4 Body-One Path to Parenthood

Session 4 Soul-Poetry and Journaling and Wellness

Session 1 Mind
Coming Out to Your Health Care Provider

Coming out in and of itself can be a scary and simultaneously exhilarating experience.  But what about coming out to your health care practitioners? We all know that one of the keys to good health care is being open with your health care providers, but how does one do it and still feel safe? Come join us for a one-hour interactive presentation that will explore methods and reasons to come out so that YOU can receive the care you deserve.

Presenter: Rachelle Dixon

Ms. Dixon is one of Mautner Project's health education and outreach staff. She currently is a coordinator for the Removing the Barriers EDUcate Project, a program developed to not only support and educate African American currently low-income lesbian and bisexual women throughout the Washington, DC, metropolitan area about breast health, but also educate health care providers in the area to be able to provide culturally competent services.

Session 1 Body
Health Screenings and Prevention

This presentation will assist the participant to identify prevention aspects of health, through routine screenings. The participant will reflect upon their personal value of health within the Health Belief Model. Interactive dialogue of health topics relating to behavior modification and harm reduction will be the focus. Topics of discussion may include but are not limited to hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, colon, breast, or rectal cancers.

Presenter: Tracey M. Gantt

Tracey M. Gantt has been a Registered Nurse in the DC area for over 17 years. Her area of concentration has expanded from organ transplantation in the operating room to public/community health nursing and education. She has a Masters of Science in Nursing with a focus in Community/Public Health and Education.  Ms. Gantt finds her most rewarding niche of service is to vulnerable populations, specifically those affected/infected by HIV/AIDS. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of the District of Columbia. Ms. Gantt is an honored member of Sigma Theta Tau, International Nursing Honor Society and a member of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.

Session 1 Soul
Herbal Medicine 101

Science has confirmed the efficacy of many medicinal herbs. This workshop will present the basics of using herbs and nutrition for improving health, alleviating stress, and preventing disease. It will also provide information for those on pharmaceutical medication, including preventing adverse herb/drug interactions, reducing side effects from drugs, and using herbal medicine as an alternative to drugs where appropriate.

Presenter: Deb Friedman

Deb Friedman is a local lesbian and professional herbalist in Takoma Park, with a Master of Science degree in Herbal Medicine from Tai Sophia Institute.

Session 2 Mind
For Better and For Worse: Legal Strategies for Protecting Your LBTQ Family

Dealing with Disability

Strategies to protect yourself and your family in advance of the occurrence of an incapacitating event, such as a physically incapacitating illness, disease, accident, injury, mental illness or disability. Health Care Advance Directives, Powers of Attorneys, Living Trusts, Domestic Partnership Affidavits and Standby Guardianships. The presenter will explain each of these documents and summarize their legal effect.

There will be a discussion of “worst case scenarios” and how such scenarios could have been avoided with proper planning and preparation.

Money Matters

How do couples share finances? Is it better for each partner to be responsible for her own bills and keep her own earnings and investments separate–or should everything be shared equally or according to the amount that each partner contributes? What are the options for titling property jointly? Should your partner be the beneficiary of your IRA, retirement or 401(k) plan? What does “payable upon death” and “right of survivorship” mean? Do I need life or disability insurance to protect my partner? The presenter will facilitate a discussion of varying approaches and strategies for couples to consider in dealing with money matters.

Choosing to Have Children: Babies and Binkies

How does a baby change your life? The pros and cons of adoption (can I tell the agency that I’m queer? how about international adoptions?). Artificial insemination and the benefits and risks of using a known sperm donor (get your agreement with the sperm onor in writing). Can my partner adopt my baby?

Domestic Partner Registration and Affidavits

Should my partner and I register as domestic partners? What benefits does it confer? What are the pitfalls–could I end up having to divide “my” bonus from work with my ex partner if we split up? She’s unemployed–will I have to support her if we’ve registered as domestic partners? Should we get married in (VT? MA?, CANADA?), Civilly unioned? Effect here? What are these new Domestic Partnership Affidavits about in Maryland? Can I transfer property to my domestic partner without having to pay a transfer tax? The presenter will explore the DC domestic partnership law, including the May 2006 amendments. In addition, the presenter will go over the two new pieces of legislation in Maryland that pertain to domestic partners, including the transfer cordation tax exemption and the health care facility visitation and medical decisions act.

Death and Taxes

Do I need a Will? What is a Living Trust? Can my mother challenge my Will if I leave everything to my partner? How can I avoid paying “death taxes”? Do I have to probate my partner’s estate? I never adopted my partner’s child, but I’ve raised her since she was five years old and my partner named me as guardian (and, besides, her biological father drinks and hunts and he doesn’t pay child support)–what are my rights?

Moving on and moving out: Dealing With a Breakup

Who keeps the house (it was mine first!)? She betrayed me so why should she get anything? How can we divide our property fairly? Helpful strategies for staying out of court: alternative dispute resolution, arbitration, mediation, and counseling. How a living together agreement, domestic partnership agreement, or property ownership agreement can save you money and help avoid stress when the relationship ends.

Protecting your Virginia family

My partner and I live in Virginia - what protections do we have? (We like living there and we don’t want to pick up our lives and move!) If my partner has a child, what rights do I have as a non-biological parent? We have an adoption judgment from another state, will Virginia recognize it?

Presenters: Kirstin Gulling and Kate Schroll

Kirstin Gulling is “of counsel” to Silber, Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P.A. and practices in the areas of same sex family planning, adoptions, estate planning, business, gay and lesbian family law, and mediation. Ms. Gulling was the recipient of the GAYLAW Distinguished Service Award in 2005. Prior to joining Silber, Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P.A., Ms. Gulling was the managing member of Scurti and Gulling, P.A. in Baltimore, Maryland. Ms. Gulling and her partner are the proud parents of three-year-old twins. Ms. Gulling is a member of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Minnesota bars. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan law school (1993) and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame (1990).

Kate Schroll is a law clerk at Silber, Perlman, Sigman & Tilev, P.A. and has been with the firm for over four years. She is a member of the bar of the Commonwealth of Virginia and she practices in the areas of adoption, same sex family planning, estate planning, and probate. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Gaylaw, a non-partisan bar association serving gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender lawyers, law students, and legal professionals in the national capital area. She is also the Interim Secretary for the LGBT Bar Association of Maryland. Ms. Schroll is a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law (2008) and received her bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona (2002). She and her wife currently live in Reston, Virginia. Ms. Schroll can be reached by e-mail to schroll@sp-law.com.

Session 2 Body
Osteoporosis

Learn about osteoporosis and how exercise and nutrition are the cornerstones of prevention. Topics to be covered include:

What is osteoporosis?  
Why is it important?
What are the ortho/ sugical implications?
What are the risks?
Who is affected?
What is the treatment?
What is the prevention?

Presenter: Jessica Hirschhorn, MD

Jessica Hirschhorn is an orthopaedic surgeon with Kaiser Permanente.  She graduated from Georgetown Medical School in 1983 and finished Orthopaedic residency with the US Navy in 1993. 

Session 2 Soul
Intimate Partner Violence

This workshop attempts to acknowledge the culturally specific needs of the community, while also addressing how and why abuse occurs. Images of intimate partner violence put forth by the mainstream movement do not reflect the intricacies of lesbian, bisexual and transgender relationships. Efforts to combat intimate partner violence can sometimes be hindered by myths. Due to these myths, many people do not know how to identify the different forms of abuse. Finally, it will provide resources for those wishing to advocate for victims and survivors of intimate partner violence or those seeking assistance.

Presenter: Tamara Dunlap-Elkins

Tamara Dunlap-Elkins is the co-chair of Rainbow Response: The Greater DC Coalition to address intimate partner violence in LGBTQ communities. She is the Executive Director of Targeting A Dream which provides grants, scholarships, and community education workshops and a lay delegate for the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, DC. Ms. Dunlap-Elkins has provided workshops and seminars to individuals, corporations, and community groups throughout the Baltimore-Washington, DC metropolitan region.

Session 3 Mind
The Ex Files

It seems many of us can look back at our relationships and see a pattern. We are upset and angry with ourselves when our relationships end. We ask ourselves “Why do I keep choosing the wrong person?” or “Why do I stay too long in a relationship when it’s been over for years?” Through interactive games and discussion, participants will explore why they chose their partners and understand why it didn’t work and how they can begin to make smarter partner choices. 

Presenter: Joan Bellsey, LICSW

Joan Bellsey is the Assistant Coordinator for the Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) at the University of Maryland. She is a licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Addictions Counselor. Joan is a member of the Community Advisory Committee (CAB) for Lesbian Services for Whitman Walker Clinic and has facilitated their “Maybe Baby” Groups. She is also a member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans Therapy Network (LGBTC). Joan presents workshops on Managing Stress, Retirement Issues, Coping with Change and Women and Menopause. Joan has a private practice in DC and the proud mother of her son, Liam.

Session 3 Body
Safe Sex 101

Safer sex for lesbians and bisexual women is a way to protect yourself from contracting or transmitting sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. But what exactly is safer sex? And how can you be sure you’re protected? You need to know the risks and how to protect yourself, but also know that safe sex and good sex are not mutually exclusive. This workshop focuses on how to make sex as safe as possible and how to have fun doing it!

Bersabell Asaye has been with the Community Health Department at the Whitman-Walker Clinic since October 2008. She joined as a Community Health Educator working in Counseling Testing and Referrals specializing in HIV Prevention and Education. She attained her Bachelors of Science Degrees in Biology and Spanish from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. With her extensive experience in Clinical Management, International Research, Reproductive Rights, Women's Health and STD work with underserved populations in Southern California and Detroit, Michigan, she has brought a much needed perspective to HIV CTR and to the team working here in Washington, DC, an area that has been devastated by HIV/AIDS.

Session 3 Soul
When I Am An Old Woman

With any luck, we’ll all grow older and wiser. Even with the best of luck, however, we ourselves, our partners and our friends have a good chance of developing a disability the older we become. Learn the unique challenges and opportunities of being queer and either a caregiver or one who needs care. If you’re currently a caregiver of an aging parent or anyone else, you’ll find guidance and information for right now. You’ll hear about specific research on older gay people and web resources. Reduce your anxiety about long term care options for you and your loved ones.

Presenter: Jane Lincoln

Jane Lincoln is a former cancer social worker who now works on caregiving and long term care issues at AARP. She’s an out and active member of its employee resource group for LGBT workers, and has presented at both community and professional groups on topics such as Advanced Directives, Caregiving, and online support groups. She’s also interested in how Web 2.0 is changing the world, in queer spirituality, and in multimedia health education. She’s a caregiver for her sister who has advanced cancer, a support to her partner whose mother has severe dementia, and mom to two teens.

Session 4 Mind
Strong Women Powerful Strategies

In this engaging and interactive workshop we will explore specific issues relating to women and money and financial planning. We will look at some of the myths and emotional barriers we have surrounding money. There will be plenty of time for discussion and Q&A. Denise will discuss topics such as strategies for goal setting, investing with your values, how to get started and what next steps to take no matter what your financial savvy. 

Presenters: Denise Bump

Denise Bump is a Platinum Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial and owner of Bump & Associates. Denise has lived and worked in the DC community for the last 12 years, and has worked as a financial advisor for the last eight. She is also an active Whitman Walker/LSP volunteer, group facilitator and general supporter. 

Session 4 Body
One Path to Parenthood

This session offers a thorough overview of donor insemination. Come learn basic information about the menstrual cycle, how to time inseminations, the difference between various kinds of inseminations, how and when fertility medications might be needed, and other related issues. This is a great starting place if you have not yet begun the process or are curious about it.

Presenters: Lu Casa, Dr. Rani Abbasi and Susan Messina

Lu Casa lives in Silver Spring with her partner Kristine and new baby daughter. She has a past experience with donor insemination. She has been a registered nurse for 25 years. She practices as a Nurse Practitioner in internal medicine for a large HMO. She is VP of the LGBT Staff Association at her work place where she also co-wrote a providers handbook for the care of the LGBT patient. She participates in community activism including serving on the advisory board of WWC-LSP.

Dr. Rani Abasi has been practicing infertility medicine since 1985. She did her fellowship at Georgetown University/Columbia Hospital for Women. She served her active duty Army commitment for 10 years. She resigned from active duty in 1987 and was Director of the IVF Program at the University of Texas, Houston OB-GYN Department. She is currently in practice at Columbia Fertility Associates with offices in Bethesda, Arlington, and DC.

Susan Messina has lots of experience with donor insemination. She started trying to get pregnant in December 1996. Four years later, her daughter was born. For seven years she led the Donor Insemination Support Group, first through Whitman-Walker Clinic's Lesbian Services Program and then through Rainbow Families DC. Susan currently works as director of development communications at the National Hospice Foundation and also runs her own business teaching childbirth education classes.

Session 4 Soul
Poetry and Journaling and Wellness

Never written before? An experienced writer? Somewhere in the middle? Perfect! This workshop is for all of you. Explore the therapeutic benefits of poetry and journaling. This is NOT your high school English class! Grammar, form and "rules" go out the window as facilitator Eryca Kasse guides you through writing exercises that are all about YOU! Tap into your creative juices and let the feelings flow.

Presenter: Eryca Kasse