As the number of anti-trans bills and executive actions increase so does the need for counselors to advocate for and with trans and gender expansive (TGE) communities. The American Counseling Association (ACA), Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE), and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) have assembled a group of experienced LGBTQ advocates to provide this much needed educational webinar to provide counselors with the information they need to support TGE clients. This will include the practical application of the ACA Advocacy Competencies for TGE populations, strategies for political action, and perspective from a non-counseling lens.

Learning Objectives:
• Identify and apply the ACA Advocacy Competencies in supporting trans and gender expansive (TGE) clients within clinical and community settings.
• Develop and implement effective strategies for engaging in political action and advocacy to support TGE communities in response to anti-trans legislation and executive actions.
• Analyze and integrate perspectives from non-counseling disciplines to enhance advocacy efforts and provide comprehensive support for TGE individuals.

Presenter name:Gene N. Dockery, PhD, LMHC (WA), LPCC (OH), CCMHC, NCC, Mariah E. Payne, MA, LPCC (they/she/elle), Ellen Kahn

Gene N. Dockery, PhD, LMHC (WA), LPCC (OH), CCMHC, NCC
Dr. Gene Dockery is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the on-ground Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Seattle University. They earned their MA in Counseling at East Tennessee State University and their PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Ohio University. Gene’s research focuses on queer and trans liberation, disability justice, and advocacy. They are an independently licensed clinical counselor in private practice where their clinical specialty is queer neurodivergence, the intersection of nonnormative genders/sexualities and neurological differences. Gene is also the Public Policy Committee Chairperson for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE) and the Vice Chairperson of the Association of Specialists in Group Work (ASGW) Research Committee. Mariah E. Payne, MA, LPCC (they/she/elle) Mariah Payne is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor specializing in LGBTQIA+ issues and consensual non-monogamy counseling. Mariah serves as the 2024-2025 President-Elect of the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities of Ohio (SAIGE of Ohio). They also act as a Navigating New Laws trainer for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Ohio Chapter, where they educate Ohio's behavioral healthcare providers on ethical practices and inclusive care amidst discriminatory laws. Mariah has provided written and verbal testimony to Ohio government bodies on behalf of Ohio’s LGBTQIA+ communities. As an award-winning advocate, Mariah is committed to advancing LGBTQIA+ and consensual non-monogamy competence in counseling.

Ellen Kahn is Senior Vice President of Equality Programs at the Human Rights Campaign overseeing a portfolio of programs and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of LGBTQ+ youth and families. ÊIn her 19+ years at HRC, Ellen has shaped innovative system-change work in child welfare, education, and healthcare. ÊShe is nationally recognized as an expert on LGBTQ+ inclusion in systems of care and leads HRC’s work in support of parents and caregivers of trans youth. A self-described trans-affirming, progressive lesbian feminist social worker, and mother of two wonderful daughters, Ellen has dedicated her career to LGBTQ+ equality--from the front lines of HIV/AIDS services in the early days of the epidemic, to facilitating dozens of “Maybe Baby” groups for prospective LGBTQ parents. When she isn’t working to change the world, Ellen enjoys a drama-free domestic life with her lovely spouse, her pandemic pup, Tootsie, and special time with her two adult daughters. ÊIn her free time Ellen enjoys spinning, , and with some reluctance, scrolling Facebook to stay informed and entertained.

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