Atlanta Comfort Conference – Sept 23-26, 2026
SESSION: Share Your Story –
w/ Kathy Randall Klein
It is important to share your stories with our trans community, family and friends. Whether you have been “out” for a while, or just starting to explore you can support others in the community with your story. It is remarkable that so many stories have common themes and threads. It is through story that we connect and educate with each other. Sharing your experiences is important. The hands-on seminar will help you form your story in a way that is succinct and interesting. We will review the methodology for constructing a 5-minute speech (talk) and also an elevator talk (30 – 60 seconds). Participants will have the opportunity to develop a “talk” in a classroom environment deciding which parts of their story they think are important to share and how to deliver that story. We will discuss context, audience type, and relatability. Lastly, those who wish to, will have the opportunity to present their “talk” to those in attendance.
Biography Kathy Randall Klein
Kathy has been a longtime advocate for transgender political rights, cultural inclusion for LGBTQ+ persons, and transgender education. She works as a fine artist, writer, transgender advocate, organizer, and lecturer. She has a Competent Communicators rank with Toastmasters.
In 2008, Kathy founded Light in the Closet which focuses on transgender inclusion in mainstream faith communities (lightinthecloset.org). From 2010 through 2014 she was pleased to co-host, along with Bernie Schlager of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CLGS), the Inter-faith Transgender Religious Leaders Summit, at the PSR Berkeley campus. Kathy has spoken and taught at various conferences, including Creating Change, Southern Comfort in Atlanta and Florida, Atlanta Comfort, Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference, SF Bay Area Local Schools, The Rainbow Center in Concord CA and Keystone Trans Conference.
“My personal journey has taken me from questioning my gender, to discovering my personhood.” – Kathy
In 2025, Kathy took on the leadership mantel for the East Bay gender association, Diablo Valley Girls (DVG). DVG is a social, non-sexual, non-political, and confidential group open to anyone who identifies as transgender. DVG hosts social events, offers support and encourages community.
TO REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE: ATLANTA COMFORT CONFERENCE