Getting Personal
So, after what was a busy and exciting week, I’ve had time to reflect on the combination of events: talking with politicians and the Prime Minister, a step forward on federal equal opportunity law, and Norrie’s case.
What came out of the recent Canberra visit was that trans people are being treated more respectfully in the democratic process. I’m comfortable saying that anywhere up to 85 percent of federal (and for that matter Victorian state MPs) understand trans* better and are willing to try to reflect better policy in conjunction with trans representatives.
Like all trans people, I wish I had a magic wand and could change all the laws, policies and practices that make our lives less than ideal – and make it all happen overnight. I don’t have a magic wand. No-one has one.
I understand the frustration over discrimination, whether it be in health, sport, documentation or anything else. The messaging of these frustrations is important to me.
Politicians, like everyone else, are people. The politicians that respond well, have in my experience, responded to basic human principles both in transgender issues and in dealing with them. They will act to change policy on receipt of two types of information (and clearly there is crossover between those two types).
Politicians, staffers and public servants need facts and carefully thought out strategies, so they require information that can inform legislative solutions to issues. Just saying “fix it” is not enough.
Norrie’s case, where a NSW court has recognised the right to have “sex unspecified”, is a good example of all of this. The gist of Norrie’s outcome – that there is more to life than two “dot points” of M and F, including unspecified – is obviously a step in the right direction. Intersex, trans and gender diverse people now have a chance to work constructively to implement change of a result of Norrie’s determination and the great outcome, including making sure processes for changing certificates are as simple and respectful as possible.
The other vital component is ‘on the ground’ personal stories. Bringing things back to the human experience creates the paradigm shift. Stories can include both the unpleasant ones regarding discrimination – because this tells people where policy needs to be implemented. But I would like to add that the good stories are just as important – telling people what works is equally as useful.
Transgender Victoria is therefore asking for your help. We have built up connections with politicians. Along with our advocacy partners around Australia who are working hard for their communities, like A Gender Agenda and Organisation Intersex Internationale Australia (among others), we can tell politicians these stories and feed-back the human and life implications of policy. It helps make our representation more effective to give practical examples.
So if you have circumstances or stories to share please contact Transgender Victoria via our website, or send us a private Facebook message to let us know them. Please get your friends to connect up with us on Facebook and elsewhere to share theirs too. Encourage your allies to support our work.
And who knows, together, we might just create a magic wand after all.
by Sally Goldner
