A Healthy Difference
(This article has been lost online due to the merger of the Southern Star and Sydney Star Observer websites. Below is the original unedited article. Our apologies for any inconvenience).
A healthy difference
I’ve had a real problem writing my column this week. I recently attended the 7th Health in Difference (HiD) conference and there are so many great things to report I don’t know where to start! I think I could write my columns in advance for the rest of 2010 right now. Anyway…
Perhaps first off is the news that trans* and intersex people from around Australia and New Zealand have a agreed to form a network. While many people will go “a-ha, national lobby,” we’re not rushing into anything.
One of the themes that emerged during HiD was that many of our communities often re-invent wheels – often using very scarce human and financial resources to do it. We believe that simply sharing information and ideas can help make us more effective in both support and advocacy and is a great starting point to build strong foundations.
This may not sound earth shattering. However, after the conference, while back at work at one of my mild-mannered-accountant day jobs, I was informed that this relatively well funded arts sector didn’t share information until 2 years ago. So for a numerically small, geographically far-flung group to share ideas is pretty good going that can only save lives and result in more effective representation on our issues.
The other good news is the starting point that the government is forming a reference group to implement some of the recommendations of the 2009 “Sex Files” report. This is good news in itself – as discussed in last month’s column, the documentation issue is a big one for many Intersex, Sex and/or Gender Diverse people. However, this news links into the network idea. We’ll be able to ensure a common approach to get the job done more effectively.
If you’re already feeling inspired and saying to yourself, “damn, I missed out,” don’t despair. Many of the Victorian folk who were up in Sydney are thinking about a recap to share the ideas that emerged with everyone. As always, watch this space…
Biased as I may be as a person from the organizing committee for HiD 7 – and at this stage, HiD 8 – I really want to give the LGBT Health Alliance a big plug here. The success of the conference alone justifies government funding of the alliance, currently with only the one staff member, Gabi Rosenstreich (who somehow stayed on her feet for 3 days).
Currently the alliance is funded by the AIDS organisations around Australia. I know there’s plenty we want our Federal pollies to do in the future, but please make sure funding the alliance is on your list of demands come election time this year.
So there’s part 1 of HiD roundup. Stay tuned for more news in 4 weeks time.
Sally Goldner is VGLRL Treasurer & spokesperson for TransGender Victoria
