About

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What are the Moving Trans History Forward conferences?
Moving Trans History Forward conferences (MTHF) are international, interdisciplinary, and intergenerational conferences put on by the Chair in Transgender Studies at the University of Victoria. MTHF conferences are not just for scholars, or just for community people. They provide a unique blend of opportunities for cross-fertilization among members of the general public; students and faculty; artists; activists; Trans+ people; family members; allies; and service providers. Conferences consider both our history, and the crucial issues which impact us today, and into the future—locally, nationally, and globally.

These highly-anticipated four-day gatherings happen every two years, usually in the early Spring. Our 2023 conference is scheduled for March 30th – April 2nd and will be happening in Victoria on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, in BC, Canada. It will be held both online and in person, making it our first-ever hybrid conference.

The online part of the conference will take place on Zoom Events. In-person registrants will have access to both the on-campus experience as well as the online portal. However, those who purchase an online registration will only have access to the conference via Zoom. Whichever way people join, everyone will have access to the same content at the same time.

Scheduled programming runs from Thursday evening to Sunday midday. Events will include:
  • An Opening ceremony on Thursday evening.
  • Concurrent sessions throughout the day on Friday and Saturday. This is when two or more panels of speakers or workshops happen at the same time and you have to choose where you want to be.
  • Plenaries are special programming like keynote speakers and our elder and youth panels that everyone can attend at the same time; nothing else is scheduled during these blocks of time.
  • Food is included in the in-person registration fee. There will be light refreshments at the Opening Ceremony. Light morning refreshments, lunch, dinner, and coffee breaks will be provided on Friday and Saturday. Light morning refreshments will be provided on Sunday. 
Check out our 2021 program to see what a typical MTHF conference schedule looks like.

What to expect as an attendee

Moving Trans History Forward 2023 is one event with two ways of experiencing it. A main goal of the conference is to provide both online and in-person registrants with an integrated experience;  both in-person and online registrants will feel like they are at the same event in the same room.

  1. If you purchase an online registration, your experience of the conference will be entirely digital, accessed through Zoom Events.
  2. Please ensure you have Zoom downloaded on your device. We recommend a computer or laptop with a stable internet connection for the best experience.
  3. Through our Zoom Events hub, you will be able to browse and select the sessions you are interested in attending. There will also be opportunities to socialize via our Online Networking Sessions.
  4. To help connect the in-person audience with the audience at home, conference organizers will encourage online participants to contribute during question periods via the chat, and allowing you to keep your camera on.
  1. If you purchase an in-person registration, you will have access to the conference both online via Zoom Events, and on campus at the University of Victoria.
  2. All concurrent sessions and plenaries will happen in the University of Victoria Students’ Society (UVSS) building.
  3. The conference schedule will be available online through our website, as well as through our Zoom Events portal and in the form of physical copies distributed at the in-person part of the conference.

What can I present at MTHF?

Sessions in the past have included topics ranging from Trans+ history, hormones and healthcare, gender euphoria, the future of Nonbinary, Two-Spirit traditions, to the visibility of trans women in heavy metal. We have also had presentations focused on the intersections of gender identity, race, and ability; and those that have analysed the various experiences of being Trans+ on the Internet. We encourage the submission of creative works as well, whether that be art for display or a workshop involving group participation. Please note that our venue will have limitations in regards to publicly displaying creative works.

September 2022 – March 2023

Decide what format/style your contribution should be

  1. How you will be presenting?
    1. Online via Zoom
    2. In-person at the University of Victoria
  2. Individual presentation
    1. This means that you will be assigned to a panel with other speakers discussing related topics.
    2. For an individual presentation, expect 15 minutes for speaking time, plus additional time for questions at the end of the session.
    3. There will be a moderator to introduce the speakers and to facilitate a short question and answer period afterward.
  3. Multi-person panel
    1. For this option, you organize your own group to present on a panel together.
    2. Each person will have 10-20 minutes to speak depending on how many are on your panel.
    3. There will be a moderator to introduce the speakers and to facilitate a short question and answer period afterward.
  4. Interactive workshop
    1. For this option, you come prepared to lead people in some kind of activity or group discussion.
    2. Approximately 30 minutes
  5. Digital poster session
    1. For this option, you will prepare a pre-recorded video presentation of no more than 7 minutes.
    2. We will make it available to attendees to watch online whenever they want during the conference.
    3. During a specified time in the program, you will be available live online to take questions and discuss your pre-recorded presentation.
  6. Creative work
    1. This could be visual art, sculpture, poetry, music, theatre, etc.
    2. Limited in-person display / performance space will be available.

Respond to our Call for Proposals (CFP)

  1. Review the CFP Invitation.
  2. Fill out the CFP SurveyMonkey form by November 15, 2022 (now closed).
  3. Wait for our response. Replies will be sent out in December, 2022.
  4. If selected, you must register for the conference by February 1st, 2023.
    1. All online and in-person presenters whose proposals are accepted will be responsible for paying registration fees in order to attend the conference. If you need to travel to attend the conference, you are also responsible for paying your own travel and accommodation expenses. A limited number of financial subsidies will be available. When you register, there will be information about how to apply for subsidies on the registration pages.
  5. Send us your bio(s), abstract, and headshot(s) .
    1. In mid. February, 2023, conference organizers will send instructions on how to submit your bio(s), abstract, and headshot(s).  In late February or early March, conference organizers notify you of your placement on the schedule and your allotted time.
  6. All concurrent sessions will be recorded in Zoom, but will NOT be publicly posted without presenter permission. If your presentation is part of one of the concurrent sessions, after the conference, we will contact you to ask for your permission to publicly post your presentation materials online.

Prepare for MTHF

  1. Finalize your presentation (keeping your allotted time in mind).
  2. Book travel & accommodations if needed.
  3. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Tell your friends!
  4. Keep an eye on the MTHF website for details.
  5. Ensure you have Zoom downloaded on your computer and that you are signed up as a user. A Basic (free) account will be sufficient for the conference.
  6. The conference platform is Zoom Events.  We will use the email address associated with your Zoom account to add you to the conference's Zoom Event.

March 30 – April 2, 2023

Log in to Zoom Events

  1. Review the conference schedule and select the sessions you wish to attend. 
Deliver your presentation
  1. If presenting in person, note your time/location and arrive at least 15 minutes early.
  2. If presenting online, note your time/Zoom meeting link and arrive at least 15 minutes early.
  3. We will provide more detailed instructions closer to the time.
Meet other Trans+ people and allies
  1. Participate in the online and/or in-person networking opportunities available throughout the conference.
Attend other events and activities throughout the conference

April 2023 - May 2023

Post-conference communications

  1. A survey will be sent out to all attendees.
  2. You will be invited to share your presentation video/slides to be archived and publicaly posted for future reference.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS