Equality & Justice Day
Albany, NY
Workshop presenter
WHAT’S A PARENT TO DO? OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO ADVOCACY
Terri Cook, proud mother and Pride Agenda Board Member (Syracuse)
Join us as we consider how parents can be effective advocates for trans* rights while still respecting and being protective of their trans* loved ones. In this interactive workshop, we will discuss the skills and strategies parents can use to be advocates for their children. Topics to be explored include: why it is important to be an advocate, overcoming obstacles to advocacy, and examples of what parents can do – big and small – in their homes, communities, schools, medical offices, workplaces, and political arenas…just to name a few. Participants will leave with tools and resources to become better advocates for their children and families.
Terri Cook is a passionate ally and proud mom of a young man who transitioned from female to male at the age of 15. Author of the book Allies and Angels: A Memoir of our Family’s Transition and co-founder of The Ally Project, Terri is dedicated to creating a world full of allies. Terri speaks and shares her family’s story at conferences, corporations, colleges and community organizations across the country. She co-facilitates a parent support group, TransParent, and volunteers at the Q Center, a safe space for LGBT youth and their allies. Terri also serves on the board of the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation.