“Thursday, December 1 marks World AIDS Day, a day for reflection in so many ways for so many people”…Some comments on World Aids Day by Transgender Victoria spokesperson Sally Goldner.

“Transgender Day of Remembrance was first observed in 1998 to mark the transphobic murder of Rita Hester in the USA and honour other trans folk who lost their lives in violent circumstances. Since that time it has become the most well-known day recognising transgender people and our lives…”

Transgender spokesperson, Sally Goldner reflects on the Transgender Day of Remembrance 

“I’m sure people are heartily sick of the name Miranda Devine following her column on Sunday, October 16, but unfortunately there’s another reason to mention it again…”

“Lets get the facts about the effects of puberty blockers and avoid sensationalism”, says Transgender spokesperson, Sally Goldner.

While there has been improvement in media treatment of trans people over time, there are still some media — and others — who aren’t quite there yet.

The changes blooming in the new season of rights are the changes regarding the marker on passports and the successful effort in New South Wales by Conor Montgomery regarding birth certificates.

“Responses to the [ACT Law Reform Advisory] Council inquiry into the legal recognition of transgender and intersex people in the ACT call for sweeping reforms to the territory’s laws to ensure the protection of human rights.”

“As I sit down to fill out my census form, I’m limited to one of two boxes for male or female. If I’m someone who experiences intersex, I can hand-write either “intersex” or “indeterminate” so I don’t perjure myself – although I’ll only have someone at the ABS arbitrarily assign me as male or female at their whim…”

The announcement of the LGBTI Parliamentary friends group is great news for all GLBTI Australians.

“If someone had said to me five, maybe even three years ago, that I would attend two ‘wider community’ police functions in 24 hours as an openly trans woman, I think I would have replied,

‘You’ve had one too many, please blow into the bag’…”

Transgender Victoria spokesperson Sally Goldner reflects on the positive changes within the police force regarding GLBTI issues.

The state Government’s Equal Opportunity Bill has now passed both houses of Parliament and is for all intents and purposes, law. Where to next?

Transgender Victoria spokesperson Sally Goldner summarises the community concerns over religious exemptions.

“The list of objections to the dubiously-processed Equal Opportunity Bill continues to grow the more we look at this sad scenario”.

“One which hasn’t been examined is the apparent desire to revert Victoria to a ‘me Tarzan, you Jane’ mentality when it comes to participation in sport,” says Sally Goldner Transgender Victoria spokesperson.

“At the time of writing, all sorts of shenanigans are happening re the Equal Opportunity Bill 2011. Due to Mary Wooldridge missing a division in Parliament, the bill was defeated on May 26. However, it is probable the bill will be re-introduced with changes. Watch this space…”

More than 10 years ago, Enough is Enough was the title of landmark research commissioned by the VGLRL. It showed 20 – 25 percent of GLBT people had faced physical assault. Reports since by ARCSHS such as Coming Forward show little change in this situation.

“The recent scandal of homophobia (and let’s acknowledge other anti-social behaviours too) in the Australian Defence Force again highlights how overdue the need is for federal equal opportunity (EO) laws protecting GLBTI people”…says Transgender Victoria spokesperson, Sally Goldner.

“Recently, I became aware of a teacher, loved by parents and students, who, although motive may have been hard to prove, was most likely harassed out of a job in a religious school due to sexual orientation…”

Transgender Victoria spokesperson comments on the waste caused by religious exemptions to Equal Opportunity law.