The Bob Graham Center for Public Service provides a wide variety of programs for students and the larger public on topics related to public service, public leadership and civic engagement.
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Navigating Transgender Rights in America: A Public Policy Discussion
November 28, 2023 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Transgender rights have seen considerable strengthening and recognition over the past decade, but they are now in flux as state legislatures across the country propose a number of laws targeting transgender youth and gender-affirming healthcare.
On Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 5:30 pm in Reitz Rm G315, the Bob Graham Center Student Fellows host a panel of experts on the state of transgender rights.
Our panelists are Gina Duncan, former director of Transgender Equality for Equality Florida, Dr. Michael Haller, chief of Pediatric Endocrinology at UF Health, and Simone Chriss, director of the Transgender Rights Initiative at Southern Legal Counsel.
Panelists will answer questions posed by moderator Dr. Dennis McCarty, director of public speaking at the Dial Center for Oral & Written Communication..
The program is free and open to all. A reception will follow.
Panelists
Gina Duncan is a national and international advocate, corporate trainer, and speaker specializing in transgender social equity and gender-affirming guidance in the workplace, classroom, and society. She has conducted over 400 Transgender Cultural Competency workshops for all segments of society. She has worked with major corporations, healthcare organizations, elected officials, law enforcement, the media, school boards, colleges, governmental agencies, HR Organizations, (Certified by SHRM), universities, and non-profit organizations to improve awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the transgender and gender non-binary community. Gina oversaw a statewide movement comprised of a 1,200+ person advocacy network and led by the TransAction Florida Advisory Council, advocating for transgender rights and protections through public policy, advocacy, and educational efforts statewide. She was recognized as one of the top 100 LGBT Movers and Shakers in Florida in 2015. She now serves as Equality Florida’s Central Florida Development Officer.
Dr. Michael Haller is a pediatric endocrinologist with a passion for patient care, teaching, and research. He is a Gainesville native and a proud graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Medicine, Pediatrics Residency, and Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Programs. Dr. Haller is currently the Professor and Chief of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Florida. As Division Chief, he has oversight of the Youth Gender Program, which provides social, medical, and mental health support to gender-expansive youth and young adults and their families. As a pediatric endocrinologist, he personally cares for transgender youth and young adults. Dr. Haller has been a vocal advocate for youth gender care and has repeatedly spoken at Board of Medicine meetings, met with policymakers, and provided medical expertise for legal teams. He was awarded the American Association of Pediatrics Advocacy Award in 2023 for his work in preserving access to care for gender-diverse youth.
Simone Chriss is a civil rights attorney, and the Director of the Transgender Rights Initiative, at the non-profit public interest organization Southern Legal Counsel. Chriss graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she received her J.D. with honors. Chriss developed the organization’s Transgender Rights Initiative in 2016 to fill a gap in access to justice for the transgender community in Florida by systemically providing assistance in areas such as access to legal name and gender marker changes, obtaining accurate IDs, protection from discriminatory laws and policies, representation in accessing a safe and affirming school and work environment, and more. Chriss utilizes federal impact litigation to challenge laws and policies limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and is currently leading four federal lawsuits against the state of Florida. Chriss was selected by the National LGBTQ+ Bar as one of the “40 Best LGBTQ+ Lawyers Under 40” for 2022 and received the “Voice for Equality” award in 2021 from Equality Florida. Chriss conducts LGBTQ+ cultural competency training and transgender rights training nationwide and presents legal name and gender marker change workshops throughout Florida to assist transgender folks with accessing legal authenticity. Further, she works statewide to ensure all LGBTQ+ students in Florida have access to a safe and affirming learning environment.
Moderator
Dennis McCarty is the Director of Public Speaking at the Dial Center for Written and Oral Communication. He is a communication scientist who researches social influence and persuasion, particularly between differing social identities, and he has researched and experimented in the negotiation and accommodation of intersecting LGBTQ+, political, and religious identities. Dr. McCarty has also coordinated Dial Center Public Speaking Lab workshops and speaking events concerning healthy intergroup conflict and the communication of hope.
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