BBCBB Conference
Building Beloved Community Beyond the Binary
Saturday, April 26, 2025 * 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord, NH
274 Pleasant St, Concord, NH 03301
A place to find community with transgender, nonbinary folx, their families, and our allies.
A conference for us to gather, learn, and grow.
Schedule [Breakfast | Workshops | Lunch | Keynote | Wrap-up]
Breakfast: 8:30 am
Workshops: 9 am – Noon
Session 1: 9-9:50 am
Option 1: Trans 101 for the new, curious, and open: This workshop will focus on “the basics,” of what might help you understand and support trans, non-binary, genderqueer, and other gender non-conforming folks, with tools to support us that don’t require you to completely understand. [livestreamed]
Option 2: Supporting Your Neuroqueer Kin: Several studies have shown that autistic individuals are significantly more likely to be transgender than allistic (non-autistic) individuals. Multiple researchers suggest that neurodivergent ways of interpreting the world and neurodivergent resistance to conventional thinking contribute to the comparatively high population of transgender autistics. This workshop guides caregivers and supporters of trans autistic youth and adults through that research, describes the experiences at the nexus of trans and neurodivergent, and shares practical strategies for supporting the neuroqueer individuals in participants’ lives. The workshop will hold space for ample discussion and include time for strategizing individualized supports. [livestreamed]
Session 2: 10-10:50 am
Option 1: Let’s Deconstruct the Binary Together: We call this Building Beloved Community Beyond the Binary, but what IS the binary and how do we build community beyond it? Join us as we discuss the long history and development of the binary paradigm, how it is hurting all of us, and spend some time together practicing thought processes to move your own thinking beyond the binary. This workshop welcomes people of all genders and experiences, though at least a 101 level of understanding trans allyship is required. [livestreamed]
Option 2: Relational Resilience: Building Secure, Authentic Connections. Learn skills and strategies for fostering strong, meaningful relationships that can withstand challenges and foster emotional security. [livestreamed]
Option 3: Taking Action to Fight Anti-LGBTQ+ bills in New Hampshire: A workshop with 603 Equality. [ in person ]
Session 3: 11-11:50am
Option 1: Creating Fat Liberation in Trans Spaces: This workshop will be a blend of personal story sharing, education and discussion around anti-fat bias and how it can be perpetuated in Trans spaces. Education will be centered on anti-fat bias and how it intersects with anti-trans rhetoric. Please come prepared to ask questions and share some of your experiences of fat joy and resistance. By the end, you will walk away with a basic understanding of anti-fat bias and how to spot it, as well as a few tips on how to make your spaces more inclusive of all bodies. [livestreamed]
Option 2: Shapeshifters: Exploring and Affirming Gender Diversity thru Art and Stories Thru beautiful pictures and intimate, personal language, the book ‘Shapeshifters’ tells the stories of seven artists who share their gender explorations ‘beyond the binary.’ Using the book as a jumping off point, this workshop will provide folks the opportunity to discuss their journey with gender, both for ourselves and with significant people in our lives. A special emphasis will be on how we can be allies to nonbinary, queer, and trans folks. [livestreamed]
Option 3: Being Trans/Nonbinary in NH – Panel [ in person ]
Lunch: 12 – 1 pm
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: 1 – 2:30 pm
Spencer Bergstedt
Spencer Bergstedt is a consultant, public speaker, educator, and author specializing in LGBTQ workplace, health care, and educational inclusion issues. Spencer has been advocating for LGBTQ people for over 30 years. His work on transgender legal issues has garnered him an international reputation for both scholarly theory and practical application. Spencer’s work has impacted birth certificate and driver’s license policies, youth participation in after-school activities, and self-help legal information for trans people throughout the US. His lived experience as a transman combined with his legal expertise and executive leadership roles bring a unique breadth of understanding to his clients. Spencer is an engaging presenter who fosters greater understanding on the topic of gender diversity in an open and supportive manner. [livestreamed]
Wrap-up: 2:45 – 3:30 pm
Take Aways & Where Do We Go From Here?
