For Immediate Release: Contact:
February 16, 2012 Alejandro Marcel 774-268-0323
First Annual New England Transgender Film Festival To Be Held in Provincetown, MA. on April 20 and 21st.
Provincetown will serve as the host town for the unveiling of the First Annual New England Transgender Film Festival (www.NETFF.org) to be held on April 20 & 21, 2012.
This dynamic weekend of activities represents a rare opportunity for transgender folks from across the region to come together in celebration of the unique role they play in our communities. Attendees may look forward to great social opportunities, making new contacts and gaining access to culturally relevant health care services.
The weekend will feature a diverse program of both “Shorts” and full-length films by, for, and about transgender people. A Friday night opening ceremony, including an award presentation, will launch the Event. The festival’s focus is illuminating transgender health care issues, which are often overlooked nationally in our continuum of care system. Thus there will be both strategic health care conversations and direct health services included therein.
Saturday’s schedule will include a transgender medical panel presentation at 10:30am, providing a rare opportunity for candid conversation and emerging awareness around the specific needs of transgender persons. In addition, free & anonymous HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing Services will be available. Other activities include a closing night Dance Party and a Sunday morning Community Forum, organized by the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, which will include a cutting-edge conversation, highlighting both benefits and limitations of the newly-enacted Transgender Equal Rights Law. In 2011, Mass. was the 16th state to pass such a law.
“We are excited to be organizing such a unique and wonderful community event. Transgender individuals will have access to a weekend of events dedicated entirely to their personal well-being, while designing an event with maximum consideration of safety and well-being. For many trans folks, these opportunities are rare.” “We encourage medical providers to join us for the Panel discussion on Saturday to learn more about providing care through a culturally relevant lens.” Said Scott Fitzmaurice, Executive Director of Thrive/ CIGSYA, one of the sponsoring organizations.
Venues include the Whaler’s Wharf, the newly opened SAGE Provincetown Inn & Lounge, The Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse of Provincetown, the Crown & Anchor. Sponsors include but are not limited to: The Unitarian Universalist Funding Partnership, Thrive/CIGSYA ~The Cape and Islands Gay and Straight Youth Alliance, Helping Our Women, The Provincetown Film Society, The AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, the Women and Gender Studies Department of Merrimack College, Fenway Community Health Center and, Gender Education & Media. For a full list of sponsors please see the web site below.
Sponsors are invited to learn more about supporting this event, and may visit www.NETFF.org or email sponsor@netff.org. To to register or learn more about the Event, go to www.netff.org.
