What does it mean to navigate life as a trans person? The trans experience is unique and diverse. Age, ethnicity, family, relationships, work and where someone is in their life journey can shape very different stories.

Bridging Conversations – In Transit invites psychologists, therapists, counsellors and social workers, particularly those working with LGBTQ+ and Trans clients, to encounter some of those stories directly. This event is co-sponsored by Transbefrienders, TransgenderSG, T Project and Project X. 

As part of the programme, we are honoured to invite six Human Books — trans people of different ages, ethnicities and at different stages of their journeys. In small group conversations, participants will have the opportunity to meet them, listen to their lived experiences and ask questions in a respectful and facilitated space.

We conclude the programme by bringing the conversations together and exploring what these different lives can teach us about gender and about working more thoughtfully with trans clients.

For: Psychologists, therapists, counsellors and social workers, particularly those working with LGBQIA+ and Trans clients

Programme:

9AM – Registration

9.30-11.45AM – Human Library

12-12.20PM – Closing Talk on gender constructs, gender-affirming care, and navigating systems

12.20-1PM – Networking

Bridging Conversations is a Proud Spaces initiative creating spaces where helping professionals can encounter LGBTQ+ lived experience through research, conversation and human stories.

About the Programme Committee

Dr Rayner Kay Jin TAN (He/Him)

Dr Rayner Kay Jin TAN is an Assistant Professor and leads The Courage Lab at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System. He is an implementation and social scientist whose work spans areas of stigma and health, community engagement, and health equity.

He is Head of Research at The Greenhouse, a charity offering substance use recovery services, and a board member of Project X Society serving the needs of sex workers. He is also a co-lead at SG Mental Health Matters to spur public engagement in mental health policymaking.

Dr Cherie Chan (She/Her)

With a decade of experience in public and private mental health in Singapore and Australia, Dr Cherie Chan works with individuals for a range of psychological issues, specialising in trauma and attachment related wounds. She has always been passionate about education and nurturing the next generation of practitioners.

She currently holds an associate lecturer position at SUSS and is the co-director of The Nest Training Clinic, which is an LGBTQIA+ affirming and neuro-affirming non-profit organisation. Her contributions to the local psychology scene include being the immediate past president of Singapore Psychological Society, and her work with international psychology associations.

Shan Menon (He/Him)

Shan Menon is a registered Senior Social Worker with specialisations in the field of Family, Youth and Mental Health. Since 2010, Shan has been involved in work with vulnerable minority groups, especially the LGBTQ+ community. He has conducted sexuality and gender sensitivity workshops for various social and private organisations.

Shan has participated in multiple international conferences, representing Singapore as a Transgender activist. His volunteer work with The T Project began in 2017 with the development of the AWARE Trans empowerment workshop for vulnerable Transgender women. In 2019, Shan helped set up the Alicia Community Centre’s counselling support for gender diverse individuals. At PinkDot 2022, he spoke about the continued mental health issues plaguing the trans community.

Daniel Ho (He/Him)

Daniel is a clinical psychologist by training, with key interests in the fields of trauma, youth, as well as vulnerable and marginalised populations. He volunteers and supports clinical, research and consulting work relating to queer populations, substance use, HIV and sexual health related fields in other community based organisations such as The Greenhouse, Oogachaga, Transbefrienders and kayos collective, and works as a clinical psychologist in a local healthcare institution.

Clarence Singam (He/Him)

Clarence is a co-founder of Proud Spaces (a non-profit LBGTQ+ affirming community space), Oogachaga (Singapore’s most established LGBTQ+ affirming counselling charity), and the Free Community Church (Singapore’s only openly LGBTQ+ affirming church). A past president of the Singapore Psychological Society, his interests are in existential and narrative psychology, and the way they impact individuals’ and communities’ psychosocial capacity and well-being.