Paula M. Neira, a Navy veteran, nurse, lawyer and LGBQT+ advocate was a leader in the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy and in the change of regulations to allow for transgender military service. She is a leader in advancing LGBTQ+ health equity today. She has made naval history as the first transgender Navy veteran to have her discharge documentation updated to reflect her correct name by order of the Navy as well as being a sponsor of the USNS HARVEY MILK – the first Navy ship named for an openly gay  man. She was the founding Clinical Program Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health in 2016 and now serves as the Johns Hopkins Medicine Program Director of LGBTQ+ Equity and Education in the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity. Through sharing her personal story, she will discuss the challenges facing transgender and gender-expansive people in the United States and offer some lessons learned to those who work to address issues of social justice and health equity.

Dr. Danielle Hairston, Howard University

1.5 hours Advocacy

Alicia Lucksted & Kris McElroy will lead a positive and interactive workshop through reflection, conversation, creative exercises, and practical ideas for resisting and rejecting internalized oppressions (mental health stigma, racism, ableism, cis-hetero-sexism, classism, and an epic list of other prejudices), paying close attention to the harms this stigmatization causes, how it is both similar and very different across different stigmatized identities and life / health condition, and how these are also often sources of community, strength, and pride. Attendees will participate in sharing experiences and processes that create social justice and healthier environments that honor the identities, realities, and experiences of each other and ourselves.

Jericho Westgate’s group-oriented, strengths-focused, and trauma-informed workshop is a guide to telling your story through self portrait, helping you to remember who you are and be centered in that reality as a tool for recovery and wellness. Participants may use a variety of provided artistic mediums and share their work with the group. Through their shared revelations and diverse expressions, participants will discuss symbolism in their artwork and its significance to their lives. 

Clark will lead a Healing Circle, which is a sacred circle or space where individuals, who share similar life experiences, gather to share their personal stories, actively listen to the stories of others, and share wisdom and light in community with others. There is a clear intention of healing and honoring the humanity of each member. This practice is rooted in the traditional practices of indigenous and First Nation communities. Today, we warmly invite those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color to join us for this healing session. 

Valerie Hicks, Donielle Davis, and Shira Collings will engage in the ever expanding conversation facilitated by Kris Locus about how Peer Advocates create systems that make sure everyone is able to thrive. Keeping in mind that there is always room for growth, this discussion will offer honest perspectives about the challenges involved with implementing DEI principles, the successes that can be achieved when we lead with care, and the hopes of effective inclusionary practices for the future.