Transcending Boundaries Conference

The Transcending Boundaries Conference (TBC), is a yearly Northeast regional American conference for bisexual, transgendered and intersexed people and their friends and allies.

History
The conference grew out of a project of BiNet USA and the Bisexual Resource Center. Throughout the 1990's, BiNet USA helped bisexual activists around the United States organize on a local level and sponsor regional conferences. In 2000 those in attendance at the 2000 New York tri-state conference voted to create an independent organizing committee who's sole focus would be to hold yearly conferences, with BiNet USA, the Bisexual Resource Center et al. continuing as co-sponsors.

The organizing committee for the 2001 conference decided to expand the scope of the conference in two ways: to expand the geographical reach of the conference to include the entire Northeast and to include transgender and intersex issues as well as bisexual issues in the conference theme.

It chose as it's name Transcending Boundaries to reflect this expanded scope, as well as the fact that bisexuals, transgendered persons and intersexed persons do not fit into the simple categories of gay & lesbian/straight, man/woman and male/female.

Structure
The conference is held by Transcending Boundaries, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, incorporated in 2001 in Connecticut. At this time Transcending Boundaries, Inc.'s only function is holding annual conferences, however there is room in their Bylaws to expand their activities should they wish.

The initial board members/co-founders were Lisa Jacobs (President), Alice Leibowitz (Treasurer), and Vincent Cangiano (Secretary), all of Connecticut. Emily Metcalfe was added as Vice President in 2006. The board meets officially at least twice a year, and decisions are made by consensus.

Past events
Organizers had hoped to hold the 2004 conference in the New York City area, but had to cancel due to lack of resources at the time. Instead, they began advance planning in Connecticut for the 2005 conference.

Future events
The 2007 Transcending Boundaries Conference will be held from Friday September 14th 2007 through Sunday September 16th 2007 in Worcester MA USA.

The 2008 TBC will be held in conjunction with the 10th International Conference on Bisexuality and the University of Rhode Island’s 14th Annual Symposium on GLBTIQA Issues from Thursday, July 24th 2008 through Sunday, July 27th 2008 at the University of Rhode Island’s Kingston Campus in Rhode Island, USA.