The number of conferences offering programming for professionals who work with trans patients has expanded significantly over the past decade, particularly in the United States. Not surprisingly, attendance has also ballooned, with good reason: these events offer providers a unique opportunity to learn, share and network with other professionals working in this growing field of healthcare.
Below you’ll find details about confirmed conferences that offer programming specifically for health professionals working with the trans community. Hands-on surgeon training events are also included. Check back periodically for updates as more 2019 conference dates are confirmed.
Note: This list is focused on conferences that have programming for health providers. There are a number of other trans conferences that are not included here as they have a different target audience.
2019 Conferences at a Glance
| Conference | Date | Location |
| Gender Education and DeMystification Symposium (GEMS) | Feb 17-19 2019 | Atlanta, GA |
| Southern Trans Health and Wellness Conference | Mar 7-9, 2019 | Winston Salem, NC |
| Greater Dayton Transgender Mental Health Summit | Mar 22, 2019 | Dayton, OH |
| Transgender Mental Health Symposium | Mar 29-30, 2019 | New York, NY |
| EPATH | Apr 11-13, 2019 | Rome, IT |
| National Transgender Health Summit | Apr 13-14, 2019 | Oakland, CA |
| Transgender Competency in Healthcare | Apr 19, 2019 | Nashua, NH |
| Summit to Improve Transgender Collaborative Healthcare | Apr 27, 2019 | Columbia, MO |
| Amsterdam Gender Rounds – Round 1: Vaginoplasty | May 9-10, 2019 | Amsterdam, NL |
| Spring Symposium on Transgender Mental Healthcare | May 10-11, 2019 | Austin, TX |
| Rhode Island Trans Health Conference | May 18, 2019 | Providence, RI |
| Discussion On Gender Affirmation: Surgery and Beyond | May 30-June 1, 2019 | San Francisco, CA |
| Gender Spectrum Professionals’ Symposium | July 19, 2019 | Moraga, CA |
| Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference | July 25-27, 2019 | Philadelphia, PA |
| International Facial Gender Symposium | July 26-27, 2019 | Baltimore, MD |
| Gender Odyssey | Aug 1-4, 2019 | San Diego, CA |
| USPATH | Sept 3-8, 2019 | Washington DC |
| Transgender Medical Conference | Sept 12-13, 2019 | Ft Lauderdale, FL |
| Principles in the Care of Transgender and Intersex Patients | Sept 26-28, 2019 | Rochester, MN |
| Gender Infinity | October 25 & 26 | Houston, TX |
| Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health | Nov 1-3 | Boston, MA |
| GenderWorks | Nov 8, 2019 | Omaha, NE |
2019 Confirmed Conferences
Gender Education and DeMystification Symposium (GEMS)
An annual event designed to offer a clinical and educational perspective regarding gender identity. Educational Consultants, clinicians, and program staff who are interested in learning more about shaping the conversation regarding gender awareness and acceptance in the mental health industry are encouraged to attend. Symposium attendees will be given an opportunity to hear from the nation’s leading experts and attend break-out sessions covering a wide range of topics focused on assisting transgender children, adolescents and young adults.
When: February 17-19 2019
Where: Atlanta, GA
Southern Trans Health and Wellness Conference
The Southern Trans Health and Wellness Conference is designed to highlight clinical best practices, innovative research, and community partnerships to support the health and wellness of transgender communities. The conference will bring together more than 300 diverse attendees committed to improving and strengthening our region’s response to transgender health. Designed for advocates, community members, counselors, educators, family members, nurse practitioners, nurses, physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, researchers, social workers, therapists and all others who are engaged with providing (or interested in developing) services for transgender persons.
When: March 7-9, 2019
Where: M.C. Benton Jr. Convention Center, Winston Salem, North Carolina
Cost: $190-$390, early bird discounts available.
Greater Dayton Transgender Mental Health Summit
At this conference, social work and mental health professionals will discuss recent academic research for serving the mental health needs of transgender and gender diverse populations; identify common needs of caregivers/guardians of transgender youth and ways to support the family; connect mental health and social service providers with resources for serving transgender and gender diverse populations. CEs available for Social Workers and Counselors. MCEs available for Psychologists. This event is being presented in partnership with the Equitas Health Institute, Hearthstone Psychology and the Pyschology Department at Sinclair Community College.
When: March 22, 2019
Where: Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH
Transgender Mental Health Symposium
Every two years, the Psychotherapy Center for Gender and Sexuality, a division of the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, sponsors a clinical conference exploring the psychodynamics of psychotherapeutic theory and practice in the context of trans identities. The 6th biannual conference will focus on the interplay of clinical practice and theories of development. Presenters will explore issues such as; how are clinicians approaching psychotherapy and psychoanalysis while engaging with traditional and emerging developmental theories?
When: March 29-30, 2019
Where: New York, NY
EPATH
Conference for WPATH members in the EU. Scientific sessions, poster sessions, engaging plenaries, oral abstract scientific sessions and mini-symposia.
When: April 11-13, 2019
Where: Rome, IT
National Transgender Health Summit
The premiere national conference in transgender health. This landmark program will present cutting-edge research, evidence-based educational sessions, training opportunities across many disciplines. The Pre-Summit Conference Transgender Medicine, Surgery and Mental Health Care Clinician Training Institute will be held on April 12.
When: April 13-14, 2019
Where: Oakland, California
Cost: $225-$550, early bird discounts available.
Transgender Competency in Healthcare – Closing the Knowledge Gap
Conference will address approaches to providing respectful and effective nursing care to transgender patients; including, creating an environment where transgender patients feel safe, building therapeutic trust and overcoming past poor experiences, respectfully and effectively collecting health histories, physical exams, providing important health education around sexual/reproductive organs (self exams).
When: April 19, 2019
Where: Nashua, NH
Cost: FREE
Summit to Improve Transgender Collaborative Healthcare (STITCH)
The conference focuses on connecting healthcare providers, community members, and organizations with knowledge and tools for best healthcare practices in caring for transgender and gender non-conforming patients. Topics include hormone replacement therapy, name or gender marker changes, gender affirmative surgery, child and adolescent care, and much more. Healthcare Workforce (nurses, social workers, physicians, NPs, therapists, psychologists, etc) and students (pre-health professions, professional schools, grad schools) are welcome. Presented by MU School of Medicine, MU Sinclair School of Nursing, and the Center for Continuing Medical Education & Physician Lifelong Learning.
When: April 27, 2019
Where: Columbia, MO
Cost: $60-$120
SURGEON TRAINING
Amsterdam Gender Rounds – Round 1: Vaginoplasty
Hands-on instructional training for surgeons includes lectures, instructional videos and e-learning modules, and cadaveric dissesction and discussion groups. Designed by Gender Surgery Amsterdam, the first round is Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty, a WPATH global education initiative certified course.
When: May 9-10, 2019
Where: Amsterdam, NL
Cost: €4,500.00 for surgeons, €550 for team members.
Spring Symposium on Transgender Mental Healthcare
This symposium will offer two days of training in evidence-based best practices of gender affirming care and treatment for transgender and gender non-binary individuals. Hosted by Central Texas Transgender Health Coalition. Continuing education units will be provided by the Texas HIV Connection, which is approved by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners, the Texas State Board of Professional Counselors, and the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals to provide continuing education to licensed professionals. Continuing education credits for medical professionals are not available at this symposium.
When: May 10-11, 2019
Where: Austin Community College: Eastview Campus, Austin, TX 78702
Cost: $50-$175
Rhode Island Trans Health Conference
The 2019 conference includes 4 tracks: behavioral health, medical, public health, and community. The medical and behavioral health tracks are designed for health professionals wanting to provide quality care for all transgender and gender diverse individuals. Physicians, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, psychologists, social workers, licensed mental health providers, medical students, residents, and fellows who provide support and medical care to members of the transgender and gender diverse community are welcome. The public health track is is designed to provide public health professionals with an update on what is known about health disparities and gaps in the literature and health policies regarding the transgender and gender diverse community. The goal of this track is also to focus on strategies for improvement, such as making research and surveillance data collection, and public health policies and programs more inclusive of transgender and non-binary people in order to support community wellness and health.
When: May 18, 2019
Where: Providence, Rhode Island
Cost: unknown
Discussion On Gender Affirmation: Surgery and Beyond
A conference aimed at helping nurses, physicians, mental health professionals, social workers and other healthcare providers grappling with the ethical and practice-related concerns in serving trans individuals who are considering surgery. Sponsored by Saint Francis Memorial Hospital (SFMH) and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s Global Education Initiative (WPATH GEI).
Topics to be covered include:
- An ethical framework for navigating challenges in gender care
- Counseling patients/clients regarding surgery options
- Physical preparation for surgery
- Discussions on complications of gender surgeries
- Masculinizing and feminizing surgical procedures
- Nonbinary surgery requests
- Ethical issues in adolescent treatment
- How to be a well-informed healthcare advocate
- Facial feminization and voice surgery
Featured speakers include:
- Dr. Thomas Satterwhite, founder of Align Surgical Associates. Plastic and craniofacial surgeon specializing in gender confirmation procedures.
- Dr. Jordan Deschamps-Braly, plastic and craniofacial surgeon specializing in facial feminization surgery.
- Dr. Bauback Safa, plastic surgeon specializing in microsurgery and phalloplasty.
When: May 30 – June 1, 2019
Where: Kabuki Hotel, San Francisco, CA
Cost: $295-$850
Gender Spectrum Professionals’ Symposium
The Professionals’ Symposium is designed for individuals who serve transgender, non-binary, and otherwise gender-expansive youth and/or their families. Workshops are organized around a variety of disciplines – education, medicine, the law, mental health/counseling, social services, and child welfare.
Workshops for those just beginning in the field of gender-affirmative care as well as a number of in-depth sessions and advanced topics for even the most experienced professionals will be available.
When: July 19, 2019
Where: Moraga, CA
Cost: $280-$380
Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference
PTWC is the largest free trans conference in the world. The Professional Track (ProTrack) of the Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference is a three-day continuing education program designed to enhance clinical knowledge and cultural competence for professionals working with Trans, Gender Non-Conforming, and Non-Binary individuals and with the goal to share unique, advanced, and innovative ways to best serve these communities. Protrack will host three professional tracks; Medical, Behavioral Health, and Legal. Each track offers continuing education credits to its audience members and presenters.
When: July 25-27, 2019
Where: Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $100-$490, single day pricing also available.
SURGEON TRAINING
International Facial Gender Symposium
This groundbreaking educational symposium is designed to address the lack of structured academic programs devoted to this emerging field of craniofacial plastic surgery. It will be an immersive 2 day program, with lectures, discussion panels, Q&A sessions, and an all-day cadaver lab, hosted at world famous Johns Hopkins Hospital in collaboration with FACIALTEAM Training & Education. In addition, there will be an evening gathering after the didactic session to encourage thoughtful discussion and innovation in this field. Invited speakers are coming from Europe, as well as some of the leading surgeons offering gender affirming facial surgery in the United States.
When: July 26-27, 2019
Where: Baltimore, MD
Cost: N/A
Gender Odyssey
Gender Odyssey Professional programming (GO Pro) is for professionals and students seeking to advance their understanding of gender diversity and transgender identities in children, teens, and adults. Leading experts will offer sessions covering gender identity across the lifespan and life experience. GO Professional is a 3-day program which includes advanced level sessions for return attendees as well as access to GO Family sessions on Sunday.
When: August 1-4, 2019
Where: San Diego Marriott Mission Valley, San Diego, CA
Cost: $225-$395, single day pricing also available.
USPATH
Conference for WPATH members in the USA. Scientific sessions, poster sessions, engaging plenaries, oral abstract scientific sessions and mini-symposia.
When: September 3-8
Where: Washington DC
Cost: N/A
Transgender Medical Conference
Two day event that offers information and networking for professionals who provide services for transgender patients. Find out more about what the transgender community seeks from medical and mental health professionals; up to date education and best practices in the field of gender non-conforming and gender expansive and adolescence, clinical mental health; hormone replacement for youth and adults; HIV Bio medical prevention and treatment; Gender Confirmation Surgery and much more.
When: September 12-13, 2019
Where: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cost: $25-$250
Principles in the Care of Transgender and Intersex Patients
Healthcare providers have for the last several years been seeing in their practices an influx of transgender and intersex people seeking sensitive and appropriate care. This pioneering course will offer cutting-edge perspectives and practical evidence-based principles for working with these patients before, during and after transition. Experts and clinicians from Mayo’s Transgender and Intersex Multidisciplinary Clinic will instruct attendees in medical, surgical, psychosocial, legal and ethical issues in transgender and intersex care. Participants will leave with the skills to provide progressive and informed care to this emergent patient population. This course is designed for physicians, advanced care providers and social workers in areas of psychiatry, psychology, endocrinology, family medicine, internal medicine, plastic surgery, urology and pediatrics.
When: September 26-28, 2019
Where: Rochester, MN
Cost: N/A
Gender Infinity
The event has workshops for everyone, including medical and mental health professionals and advocates. CEUs are available for physicians, psychologists, social workers, licensed professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists. The two-day event is an opportunity for trans communities of all ages to unite, build relationships across generations, and collaborate with providers.
When: October 25 & 26
Where: University of Houston Clearlake, Texas
Cost: $170 1-day / $270 2-day for professionals; $250 1-day / $375 2-day for medical professionals.
Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health
This conference is designed to train the whole health care team in providing competent and confident gender-affirmative health care, grounded in research evidence and best clinical practices. Sessions are led by expert faculty specialized in transgender-focused research and patient care. The conference is appropriate for all members of health care teams, including physicians, behavioral health care providers, physician assistants, nurses, and other staff.
When: November 1-3, 2019
Where: Boston Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, MA
Cost: N/A
GenderWorks
Dedicated to providing medical and mental healthcare providers with education and training on how to competently serve transgender patients and clients. The conference also provides training for educators seeking to advance the rights of transgender and gender diverse students, and policymakers seeking to help the community. This conference is hosted by the Professional Transgender Resource Network (PTRN) in collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC).
When: November 8, 2019
Where: Omaha Hilton Downtown, Omaha, NE
Cost: $80-$180 before 08/01; $225 after.
Do you know of other trans conferences for health professionals? Please add them in the comments area below!
Last updated: 09/22/19