The Time is Now: Prioritizing Trans-Affirming Care - 5th Annual EDI Series

This event is open and free to all community members and is supported by grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Olmsted Bridge Collaborative.

This annual event is dedicated to growing inclusive, equitable communities through education and advocacy.

In light of the current political climate and rising threats toward transgender individuals and those providing affirming care, we have made the decision not to publicly announce the names of our presenters for this Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion series. This approach reflects our commitment to ensuring the safety, well-being, and autonomy of our speakers. Presenters are being given the opportunity to choose what personal or professional information they wish to share ahead of the event. We deeply value their contributions and remain dedicated to creating a respectful and protected space for this vital conversation.

Continuing Education Credits will be applied for to the following licensing boards:

• MN Board of Marriage and Family Therapy
• MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy
• MN Board of Social Work
• MN Board of School Administrators

Presenter Bios:

Jeong Eun Park

Jeong Eun Park (Zie/zir and He/his) is a non-binary Asian who is an activist, writer, parent, and unapologetically not your tame queer and hyper intelligent stoat.

Jeong is a doctoral candidate of the doctorate program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. Zie is earning zir doctorate in Education with an emphasis on Diversity and Equity. Zie has earned zir Marriage and Family Therapist degree and has completed the certification for Sex Therapist from the University of Wisconson-Stout.

Jeong is an LMFT with Edges Wellness Center and zir’s focus is on queer/trans/two spirit people; trauma, grief, and loss; polyam relationships; kink/leather/BDSM communities; sex workers; transnational adoptees; and sex therapy work with individuals and couples.

Jeong also is an AAMFT approved MFT supervisor as well as a MN board approved supervisor for MFT, LPC, and LPCC practicum and pre-licensure people and is also an AASECT certified sex therapist.

Most importantly, Jeong is the parent of his two sons, many chosen children and Zaza to the grandbabies of his heart, and enjoys spoiling his clowder of six beloved cats and being spoiled by his amazing partner of 15 years and counting.

Ben Greene

Ben Greene is a transgender advocate and educator who has spoken internationally on topics surrounding transgender inclusion. After coming out at 15 in a small town, Ben has devoted his career to spreading empathy, education, and storytelling around the trans experience. Whether it's for NASA, Johnson & Johnson, or over 100 PFLAG chapters, Ben leads with joy. He is the author of the substack "Good Queer News", as well as the book "My Child is Trans, Now What? A Joy Centered Approach to Support". He is a fierce advocate for transgender youth, regularly speaking in their defense at the Missouri State Capitol, and he is passionate about educating others from a place of compassion—no matter where they’re starting from.