Space is limited, so RSVP.
Trans youth especially welcome to attend.
On Wednesday May 1st from 6:30-8:30PM, the Initiative for Transgender Leadership will be hosting an event concluding our latest internship program and providing a platform for current ITL interns to share what they have designed for the next phase of ITL: a Peer Mentorship Program for trans-identified youth in Pittsburgh.
What: ITL Interns' Peer Mentorship Program Presentation
When: Wednesday May 1st from 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Irma Freeman Center for Imagination, 5006 Penn Ave 15224
Food: Light refreshments served
Cost: Free!
Come to hear Angelito Aya, Caiden Fratangelo, CeeJay Levine and Lawrence Dykeman each share their design for a part of the Peer Mentorship Program to begin this Fall. Ask questions, learn more about the program and how to get involved with the ITL.
Facebook link to share: https://www.facebook.com/events/125833267607757/
Please RSVP or send questions to transleadership@gmail.com
The Irma Freeman Center is handicapped accessible.
Hope to see you there!
Initiative for Transgender Leadership
Developing Leaders
April 8, 2013
Introducing: Angelito!
Hello My name is Angelito Aya and I worked for Persad for 3 years in their Street Outreach Services and Closing the Gap programs which involved working with the LGBTQ youth community on a one-on-one basis. I participated in Dreams of Hope for 5 seasons. Dreams of Hope educates audiences about current LGBTQ issues through their own works of art: singing, dance, spoken word, and small skits. I work a lot with FTM folks who are venturing through their transition with hormones, gender reassignment surgeries, home situations, school situations, and casual dating scene. With my training from Persad and Skills in Dreams Of Hope, I bring some project building to the "Service" unit of ITL's Peer Mentorship Program.
March 27, 2013
Introducing: Caiden!
Hello! My name is Caiden and I am working on the Communication Unit of the peer mentorship program for ITL. The main goal in the Unit is to help in creating more effective speakers and active listeners. The Communication Unit involves topics such as different approaches to effectively communicate, self-expression, and coming out. I am originally from Pittsburgh and am currently enrolled at Chatham University. Where I am finishing my junior year studying political science and psychology. When I am not busy being in school, I enjoy traveling in between breaks. Whether if it is just a weekend away to a different state or a month away abroad I find it all to be exciting. For this project I am most excited about seeing how this project can impact trans* youth. I believe the trans* community is one of the most loving, accepting, and supportive communities and has given me so much in finding who I really am. I am just excited to give back.
March 22, 2013
Introducing: Lawrence!
Hi my name is Lawrence, and I am working on the Wellness Unit for ITL's peer mentor training, covering health topics from the physical to the purely spiritual. I am a native of Pittsburgh, but recently graduated from Carleton College of Northfield, Minnesota with a B.A. in Japanese Language and Literature. After spending four years away from town, I am excited to get to know the Pittsburgh community again. I especially look forward to working with trans identified youth and hope that the work we do will have a truly positive impact on their lives as well as my own.
I am currently working as a produce clerk and contemplating how I'd like to spend the rest of my life. l spend most of my free time with my family and writing, but I also love cooking new things and of course eating them! :)
I am currently working as a produce clerk and contemplating how I'd like to spend the rest of my life. l spend most of my free time with my family and writing, but I also love cooking new things and of course eating them! :)
February 26, 2013
Introducing: Cee Jay!
Y'assou! (That's Greek for 'hello'.) My name is Cee Jay Levine, and I'm helping to design information for the peer mentorship program. Working with Bobby Peck, I will be creating resources on the legal aspects of transitioning. I'm very excited to be helping with this project; it's the sort of thing that I wish had existed when I was a young person here in Pittsburgh.
Aside from the time I spent attending Allegheny College, I have lived in Pittsburgh my whole life. While I have an M.A.T. in Elementary Education, I'm currently working for the University of Pittsburgh as an Animal Care Technician. I also work for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History as an Assistant Supervisor for the Teen Docent program, a job that I've held for the past four years (I've been at the museum for 10). What free time I have is spent reading, writing, dancing, and practicing trombone. Oh, and I love science fiction, and frequently reference it in my interactions with others.
May the Force be with you!
Aside from the time I spent attending Allegheny College, I have lived in Pittsburgh my whole life. While I have an M.A.T. in Elementary Education, I'm currently working for the University of Pittsburgh as an Animal Care Technician. I also work for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History as an Assistant Supervisor for the Teen Docent program, a job that I've held for the past four years (I've been at the museum for 10). What free time I have is spent reading, writing, dancing, and practicing trombone. Oh, and I love science fiction, and frequently reference it in my interactions with others.
May the Force be with you!
February 18, 2013
Giving you a much-anticipated ITL update!
Dear faithful readers and supporters,
It's been a while and don't we know it! We've had some changes over the past few months and we want to let you know all about it. In January, our Peer Mentorship Design intern Quinn stepped down. We support their decision and wish them well. In the process we learned what we do well, and what we can do to better support future interns. Quinn also came up with some great ideas for the Peer Mentorship program, and we hope to incorporate those as we move forward.
Since we are still committed to having a solid Peer Mentorship program for trans youth ready to go this fall, we decided to ask some of the candidates who applied for the internship if they were willing to take on a piece of the program. After discussion, we are happy to report that four qualified trans-identified youth have joined our team, working both independently and with each other to design a comprehensive program with the following four units: Wellness, Legal, Communication and Service. Be on the look out for introductory blog posts from each of them!
On February 24th, all four Program Design interns will have the opportunity to meet members of our Advisory Committee, and to make connections that will utilize the Advisory Committee members' expertise for development of the program.
Save the date: Wednesday, May 1st from 6:30-8:30. On May 1st, the Program Design interns will be presenting their work to an intimate crowd of community members and supporters.
On the financial front, we've been applying for grants, and our current Peer Mentorship Program Design project is completely funded. Any amount you decide to donate at this point goes directly to funding the Peer Mentorship Program, beginning this fall!
Thank you for your continued support,
Rayden
ITL Advisory Committee Chair
It's been a while and don't we know it! We've had some changes over the past few months and we want to let you know all about it. In January, our Peer Mentorship Design intern Quinn stepped down. We support their decision and wish them well. In the process we learned what we do well, and what we can do to better support future interns. Quinn also came up with some great ideas for the Peer Mentorship program, and we hope to incorporate those as we move forward.
Since we are still committed to having a solid Peer Mentorship program for trans youth ready to go this fall, we decided to ask some of the candidates who applied for the internship if they were willing to take on a piece of the program. After discussion, we are happy to report that four qualified trans-identified youth have joined our team, working both independently and with each other to design a comprehensive program with the following four units: Wellness, Legal, Communication and Service. Be on the look out for introductory blog posts from each of them!
On February 24th, all four Program Design interns will have the opportunity to meet members of our Advisory Committee, and to make connections that will utilize the Advisory Committee members' expertise for development of the program.
Save the date: Wednesday, May 1st from 6:30-8:30. On May 1st, the Program Design interns will be presenting their work to an intimate crowd of community members and supporters.
On the financial front, we've been applying for grants, and our current Peer Mentorship Program Design project is completely funded. Any amount you decide to donate at this point goes directly to funding the Peer Mentorship Program, beginning this fall!
Thank you for your continued support,
Rayden
ITL Advisory Committee Chair
November 21, 2012
Introducing Advisory Committee Member: Jessica McGuinness
Jessica McGuinness is a transgender woman who worked as an EMT in the South Hills of Pittsburgh for 12 years. Her coming out letter to her coworkers was published in the book American Heroes Coming Out From Behind the Badge, edited by Greg Miraglia. She has done speaking engagements at a number of colleges, community centers and bookstores, has done outreach work for the transgender community and has been heavily involved in several advocacy issues. She was featured on the cover of the LGBT publication Pittsburgh's Out in April and has done several radio interviews including one on KDKA with Marty Griffin.
Jessica is currently employed by the Pitt Men's Study.
Welcome, Jessica, to the Initiative for Transgender Leadership's Advisory Committee!
November 6, 2012
Trans: The Movie Benefit Film Screening Recap
Wonderful Night at the Warhol + over $1,000 raised
On Saturday night November 3rd, more than 100 people came to the Andy Warhol Museum to join Persad Center and ITL for the Pittsburgh premiere screening of TRANS, a documentary that focuses on the stories of several people whose transgender identities cause them to seek gender affirming medical care.
The stories are poignant, and the film's production values are impressive. In addition to the screening and a post film Q&A with the film's Producer Mark Schoen, attendees had the opportunity to make pin-on buttons with artwork of their choosing, and to make their own silk screened tee shirt with assistance from Warhol staff and volunteers from the GSA at Pittsburgh's CAPA High School.
September 18, 2012
Announcing TRANS: THE MOVIE Benefit Film Screening
We hope you will join us!
Questions? Contact transleadership@gmail.com
Follow us twitter.com/TransLeadership
September 7, 2012
Introducing: Quinn!
Meet Quinn, the Initiative for Transgender Leadership's intern who will design a peer mentorship program for trans* youth over the next 10 months!
Quinn Elliott, 21, graduated from the Ellis school in 2009. Quinn enjoys cooking, and their favorite dish they've made so far is a creamy and hearty ginger-coconut butternut squash soup with chickpeas and veggies.
During their time organizing with Transition
Pittsburgh, Quinn learned a lot about sustainable practices, from urban farming
to renewable energy resources. For the past couple years they've been trying to
connect with others who are interested in intentional community, while also
saving up to intern at an established one such as Idyll Dandy Arts queer
intentional community.
Quinn believes strongly in free,
learner-centered education, and so has begun independent studies in biology,
chemistry and philosophy with the intention of attending a democratically-run
university to study holistic health and education.
Quinn’s outlook comes from a place they describe
as radical, intellectual curiosity.
As the ITL intern, Quinn intends to be/become
focused, confident, and accountable. They are committed to providing trans*
youth of Pittsburgh access to safe spaces and empowering knowledge about health
and wellness from a unique, radical, gender/queer perspective.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)






