Transgender activist Miss Major a highlight of MTHF21

March 9, 2021 - Anne MacLaurin

MTHF is back this year with a line-up of virtual programming.

The Moving Trans History Forward (MTHF21) conference—a biennial gathering bringing together some of the world’s top researchers, opinion leaders, transgender community activists and students to explore the history of transgender activism and crucial issues which impact the lives of people today and into the future—is back this year with a long line-up of virtual programming, including a renowned keynote address by activist Miss Major. The fourth since 2014, the MTHF is hosted by UVic's Chair in Transgender Studies.

As a Black, transgender activist, Miss Major has fought for over 50 years to uplift transgender women of colour and her global legacy of activism is rooted in her own experiences. As a keynote speaker for MTHF21 (March 11 to 14), Miss Major will share her lived experiences as a veteran of the infamous Stonewall Riots and a survivor of Dannemora Prison and Bellevue Hospital’s “queen tank.”

In these times of COVID isolation and loss, Trans+ people have been especially hard hit. A virtual conference like Moving Trans History Forward that brings together hundreds of Trans+ people to celebrate, collaborate and inspire is needed more than ever.

– Chair in Transgender Studies Aaron Devor, UVic sociologist and founder of the Transgender Archives in UVic Libraries

MTHF21 takes place in a virtual conference venue for a convenient and immersive experience. With over 100 presenters, 24 concurrent sessions, two keynotes, an Elders’ panel, a youth panel and exhibitor hall, this year’s conference promises to challenge and engage participants in today’s top issues.

To register:

https://www.uvic.ca/mthf2021/registration/index.php

To view the program:

https://www.uvic.ca/mthf2021/program/index.php

The MTHF conferences are not just for scholars, or just for community people. They are a unique blend that create opportunities for cross-fertilization among members of the general public; students and faculty; artists; activists; trans, non-binary, Two-Spirit and other gender-diverse people; family members; allies; and service providers.