Jordan Leonard
speaker: jordan leonard
DAY/TIME: COMING SOON!
tent location: COMING SOON!
Transcending Misconceptions: Demystifying Trans & Non-Binary Identities
Join us for a thoughtful and engaging session designed to increase understanding of trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people.
We’ll dive into the rich history of trans and non-binary identities, explore the science and healthcare related to being transgender, and share personal experiences with HRT and other gender-affirming care. We’ll cover common acronyms, discuss practical and respectful ways to approach pronouns and engage with diverse gender identities, and challenge common harmful stereotypes along the way.
We’ll wrap with a Q&A/AMA segment. This session will foster a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, while offering ways to better support your greater LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge as an ally, contribute as a TGNC person, or simply listen, all are welcome to join this journey of discovery and empathy.
Your hosts for this session will contribute their unique perspectives…
- Jordan (non-binary transmasc, they/he)
- Aria (transwoman, she/her)
- Christine (Aria’s partner, genderqueer, they/she)
- Megan (Jordan’s sister, cis woman, she/her)
Meet
YOUR
PANEL
PRESENTERS
ABOUT ARIA
Aria is an immunologist at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, where her research focuses the B and T cell interactions in lymph nodes responsible for long-lasting immune responses. Beyond her work on HIV and coronavirus vaccine work, one of Aria’s current projects include the development of one of the first animal models of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) in order to study the impacts that exogenous sex hormones may have on innate and adaptive immune responses. Aria was also a panel speaker at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ LGBTQ STEM Day, and several science conference presentations including the International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC), the Consortia for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development (CHAVD), the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), and the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN).
ABOUT JORDAN
As one of Burning Man’s previous Regional Contacts for Virginia, Jordan regularly coordinated meet and greets, hosted workshops for first timers, and helped plan large scale (800-2500+ person) events as a team lead and board member. Jordan has also been a panel presenter at the Burning Man Global Leadership Conference (2011), as well as facilitating other workshops at local art events such as fire cider making workshops and thrice co-led a 60 minute lecture entitled “No. is a complete sentence,” about boundary setting. Jordan also held a similarly-themed impromptu session to the one being submitted at one of Megan’s “Finding Fire” retreats for a handful of curious souls who wanted to learn more.
ABOUT CHRISTINE
Christine has experience in facilitating panels and workshops on a wide range of subjects from: Healthy BDSM, Femme Domme 101, Disability and Kink and others at PUSH Durham NC, Self-Love as Self Care Panel at RedHat in Raleigh 2020, various Shibari workshops at Frisky Business Boutique in Durham NC, and LGBTQ+ 101 trainings for their employees at Auroraflow, a queer-centered spa in Durham. Megan is a group facilitator and Life Path & Purpose Coach and Kundalini Yoga Teacher (500 CYT). She is a Trauma Informed Yoga Therapist and also holds a 200hr Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga certification.
ABOUT MEGAN
Megan is well-studied in yoga’s sister science Ayurveda, is Reiki I certified, and is a devoted student of Eastern healing modalities and philosophies. With her extensive knowledge and life experience, her passion is to educate and empower her students and clients to tap into their innate & divine healing abilities along the path of healing and recovery. Through her retreat offerings and one-on-one therapeutic work, Megan helps those seeking deeper connection and alignment along the path of householdership, journey into heart-centered living through somatic embodiment practices and soul-centered Dharma/life purpose work. Megan is also a previous facilitator for Bliss Boogie!