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Faithful Advocacy: Creating Trans-Centered Communities

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Gatherings & Meetings Community Diversity & Inclusion Interfaith Religious & Spiritual

Thu, Sep 18, 2025

12 PM – 1:30 PM EDT (GMT-4)

Community Center - Great Room

50 College St, South Hadley, MA 01075, United States

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Flyer for Faithful Advocacy: Creating Trans-Centered Communities
Join us for the first Interfaith Lunch of the year featuring a conversation with James Shultis, one of the cofounders of Translate Gender, based in Northampton! James is a local activist and organizer who has spent their career working to create more inclusive and equitable spaces for Trans and nonbinary folks of all kinds. They are a passionate organizer, advocate, and consultant who draws strength and determination from their Jewish faith.

Join us in the Great Room this Thursday, September 18th from 12:00-1:30 for a delicious lunch and a great conversation.

File Attachments: IFL_James_Shutlis_Digital_Flyers_24_x_36_in

Food Provided (Sandwiches, salad, fresh fruit, and cookies from Atkins will be provided. )

Speakers

James Sultis's profile photo

James Sultis

James Shultis (he/they pronouns) is a community educator, advocate, & creative writer currently based in Western Massachusetts, where they live & work on the ancestral lands of the Nipmuc & Pocumtuc peoples. 



With over a decade of experience working in community non-profits, & before that, as a youth advocate, James has combined his passion of education & advocacy together to create innovative trainings for K-12 schools, universities, & a wide array of agencies (from health providers to youth-serving ones). They also offer consultation, technical assistance, & support. 



In addition to this work, James serves a Co-Director for Translate Gender, an organization centering trans & nonbinary youth as well as their families/caregivers. 



Experience


In the past, James has worked  for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Children & Families as Plans of Safe Care / Substance Use Coordinator. In this role, James provided support, training, & consultation to area office social workers & community based providers in the Western Region on issues related to substance exposed newborns & families impacted by substance use. 



Prior to that, James served the YWCA of Western Massachusetts as their Youth Project Director. In this role, James oversaw programming aimed at reducing instances of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, & stalking experienced by young people in Springfield, MA.



Before moving to Massachusetts, James served as Director of Programs at the Pride Center of the Capital Region, the country’s oldest, continuously running LGBTQIA+ community center located in Albany, NY. James also worked as the agency’s Youth Program Manager, where they provided oversight for all youth services including training for K-12 schools, leadership development, & supportive services aimed at improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth.



Additional information on LinkedIn.



Board Service


James is has served on a number of non-profit boards including but not limited to Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (Board Member, 2020-2023); GLSEN Massachusetts (Board Chair, 2021-2023, & Treasurer, 2017-2021); & GLSEN Upstate NY (Board Co-Chair, 2015-2017, & Board Member, 2013-2015).



Education


James holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens College (2010) & a BA in English Literature & Gender Studies from Hunter College (2008). 


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