Leeway Foundation Launches TransForming Inclusion: An Organizational Guide
October 30, 2018
CONTACT:
Erin Mooney
Moxy PR
267-788-2196; erin@moxypr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
LEEWAY FOUNDATION LAUNCHES GROUNDBREAKING TRANSFORMING INCLUSION GUIDE
Guide Offers Guidance to Organizations for Trans-Affirming and Inclusive Policies and Practices
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Through its support of artists and programming, Leeway Foundation has long demonstrated its commitment to trans affirmation and inclusion. Now, in its 25th year, the organization introduces TransForming Inclusion: An Organizational Guide—a resource aimed at helping peer organizations, funders and cultural organizers develop trans-affirming and inclusive policies, language and practices for employees, grantees, constituents and the community at large.
The document will officially be released at a Launch Event on November 8, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Parkway Central branch of the Philadelphia Free Library’s Skyline Room (1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103). Sponsoring event partners include William Way LGBT Community Center and CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia.
“Over a decade ago, Leeway began an internal process that would support developing an organizational culture that affirms members of the foundation’s community that identify as trans or gender nonconforming,” said Leeway executive director Denise Brown. “With the publication of TransForming Inclusion, we hope to share some of what we and our allies in this work have learned along the way as we continue the journey.”
The event is sponsored by the CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia,Philanthropy Network of Greater Philadelphia, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and the City of Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs and William Way LGBT Community Center.
There will be a moderated panel discussion between cultural leaders who have championed trans inclusion and who will share critical insights from the guide. November 13 to 17 marks national Trans Awareness Week, and Leeway hopes this event will help amplify this growing national conversation. Reception with light refreshments will follow.
Speakers will include:
- Alison Gerig, Licensed Psychotherapist and Culture Change Consultant
- Celena Morrison, Director of Programs, William Way LGBT Community Center
- Gabriel Foster, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Trans Justice Funding Project
- Heath Fogg Davis, Director of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program, Temple University
- V Varun Chaudhry, Anthropology PhD Candidate, Northwestern University and Leeway Foundation Scholar-in-Residence
2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the Leeway Foundation, dedicated to grantmaking and community building among artists, cultural producers, and organizers in Greater Philadelphia and TransForming Inclusion’s launch is part of a season’s worth of anniversary year events. For more information on Leeway’s 25th anniversary, visit https://www.leeway.org/about/leewayat25.
For images or interview requests, please contact Moxy PR at erin@moxypr.com or 267-788-2196.
EVENT INFORMATION
November 8, 3 - 5pm
TRANSFORMING INCLUSION: LAUNCH EVENT & PANEL DISCUSSION
Skyline Room at the Parkway Central Library
About Leeway Foundation
The Leeway Foundation supports women and trans* artists and cultural producers working in communities at the intersection of art, culture, and social change. Through our grantmaking and other programs we promote artistic expression that amplifies the voices of those on the margins, promotes sustainable and healthy communities, and works in the service of movements for economic and social justice.
*Leeway is a trans-affirming organization committed to gender self-determination, and uses the term “trans” in its most inclusive sense, as an umbrella term encompassing transsexual, transgender, genderqueer, TwoSpirit people, and anyone whose gender identity or gender expression is nonconforming and/or different from their gender assigned at birth.
