This fall, I had the honor of presenting at the GLMA Conference in Charlotte, NC, from September 30th to October 2nd. I gave a talk on The Meta-Therapy of Gender Affirming Care: A Trans Clinician's Take on Therapeutic Dialogue—a presentation focused on shifting the power dynamic between prescribers and patients, promoting RADICAL body autonomy, and empowering clinicians to use therapeutic dialogue that fosters cultural humility.

The Journey to Presenting (and the 15 Flights of Stairs!)

True to form, my conference experience had its share of memorable moments! I arrived a few minutes late to my session, thanks to a malfunctioning elevator that left me trekking down 15 flights of stairs—only to find myself stuck in the stairwell. But no worries! I eventually made it, slightly out of breath but ready to roll. I also wore my sunglasses during part of the presentation because fluorescent lighting doesn’t sit well with my sensory processing needs. After some effort, we finally got the lights turned down.

What I wasn’t expecting was the level of connection that came from showing up authentically. So many people came up to me afterward, expressing appreciation for my openness about my sensory needs and for simply being myself. It was a reminder that authenticity fosters trust (in safe environments)—and humor!—in therapeutic encounters. We laughed, we asked hard questions, and we explored our roles in dismantling the legacy of white supremacy and misogyny in healthcare.

Meta-Therapy and Radical Body Autonomy

The heart of my presentation was about breaking down the inherent power dynamics between clinicians and patients. For me, this is essential to cultural humility in healthcare. It's not just about knowing the right protocols or having the perfect language; it’s about empowering transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients to have full agency over their bodies.

I shared the specific wording and phrasing I use in patient encounters to flatten the power dynamic—ensuring that every decision is rooted in collaboration and respect for the patient’s goals. This is the essence of meta-therapy, the process of stepping outside of the clinical framework to empower patients to make their own choices, and it was an honor to share these practices with fellow healthcare providers.

Joyful and Fiercely Femme: A Living Example of Gender Euphoria

One of the most touching moments for me was hearing Dr. Lulu talk about me during her presentation. She described me as a "living example of gender euphoria" when I present—a fierce, joyful femme who shows up fully human, even in a field that so often tries to push us into rigid professional molds. This meant the world to me because I strive to embody that fierce joy every day, especially in spaces where my existence challenges the status quo.

The Alex Sheldon, Executive Director of GLMA also shared that my session was one of five workshops receiving rave reviews. Hearing that affirmed my belief that when we create space for authenticity and radical body autonomy, the impact ripples far beyond the session itself.

The Challenges of Conferences for Me

Despite all the joy, let’s be real—conferences are hard for me. Throughout my travel, I was misgendered by the service industry and colleagues alike, and the constant cisnormativity of these spaces can be overwhelming. As a neurospicey person, I often feel overstimulated and emotionally drained. This is all compounded by the chronic trauma of seeing myself and my community erased or sidelined.

At times, I feel like the most radical person in the room, even at trans health conferences. My firm belief that trans people should make decisions about their bodies often feels more revolutionary than it should. But that’s why I show up to these spaces, with all my sensory needs, emotions, and unapologetic femme energy.

The Best Conference Experience of My Life

Despite the challenges, GLMA was by far the best conference experience I’ve ever had. I felt seen, celebrated, and embraced for showing up fully as myself. The conference topics were inspiring—from Trans Joy to the bold idea of Abolishing the DEA—I loved every moment.

My deepest gratitude to GLMA for creating a space where healthcare providers could challenge assumptions, embrace authentic connections, and work toward disrupting cisnormativity. This experience left me energized and ready to continue the work of curing trans healthcare discrimination.

Thank you, GLMA, for the love, the laughs, and for making space for fierce, joyful, gender-diverse clinicians like me.