Understanding the Trans Experience Supporting Trans Youth

Join us for a panel discussion on Understanding the Transgender Experience.

Facilitated by Janna Barkin, author, educator and mom. Janna’s youngest child is transgender and she has made it her mission to foster more compassion, understanding, and acceptance in our society.

Panelists include transgender adults, and parents of transgender children who will share their perspectives with us. This program will support, educate and inspire anyone who attends.

Rohnert Park’s panel on March 11 includes:

Jasper Lauter (he/him) is an actor, writer, poet and drag performer. He performs around the Bay Area as drag king Herman Wishes and loves to play with gender and masculinity through his art. Jasper is a gay trans man who often writes poetry about the Lgbt+ community, current events and mental health. When he’s not writing or performing Jasper enjoys exploring the world around him and petting every dog he can.

Jordan Decker is a National/International Speaker and Accidental Activist. Having known the depths of bullying, suicidal ideation and not feeling safe himself, when Jordanlearned that 57% of trans youth will attempt suicide, he was called to action. Jordan shares his story so others know they are not alone. His non-profit “Trans HeartLine” builds bridges between Faith, Spirituality, and Gender using education and advocacy work to provide safe post-op housing in the Bay Area. He can be reached at jordan@transheartline.org or 530-386-3847 TransHeartLine.org

Theo Orbasido is a Filipino intersex and queer transgender man from Petaluma, CA. He began his transition at the age of thirteen and as an adult, after navigating the ups and downs of trans adolescence, now advocates for the importance of common community and support for transgender youth. He currently studies veterinary medicine at Santa Rosa Junior College and spends his free time participating in the Petaluma campus’ Queer Student Union, forging connections amongst his local queer community, and creating art. Theo is also a proponent for wider representation of transgender people in STEM fields.

Suzanne Ford is a fierce activist working toward equal rights for the Trans community. She is employed as a Regional Sales Manager at Revere Packaging, being named by Plastic News as one of Women Breaking the Mold in the Packaging Industry in 2017. Suzanne is a board member of SF Pride and was elected as the current Treasurer. She also serves on the Boards of Trans Heartline, and The Spahr Center. Suzanne lives in the SF Bay area with her wife Beverly and son, Daniel. She is available to speak to groups or employers about trans issues and her experience facing the world as a trans woman!