Tranznation Report: A call to Action
The release of the “Tranznation” report into the health and well-being of transgender people provides hard evidence of the need for immediate legal and social reforms stated Sally Goldner, spokesperson for TransGender Victoria.
“While 65% of transgender people are extremely or mostly happy with their lives now, it is totally unacceptable that 53.4 % of transgender people have experienced 2 symptoms of depression, compared to the national average of 6.8%”
“Furthermore, a transgender unemployment rate of 9.1% is double the national average of 4.4%. Obviously, transgender Australians don’t seem to be part of the population who have ‘never been better off.'”
The issue of documentation remains a cause of great trauma for transgender people, with this comment summing up the immense frustration and anger of having the “wrong box” on a birth certificate:” I want to change my passport to say male, but they won’t let me till I’ve had chest surgery or a hysterectomy…f–kheads!!!” (p56)
“This comment may be intense to some, but it is indicative of the reality that these issues must be faced and no longer shoved aside,” stated Ms Goldner.
TransGender Victoria looks forward to working with government in response to Tranznation on all areas including:
- Ensuring the health and wellbeing of transgender people improves rapidly, with emphasis on funding a gender centre similar to that in NSW in all states and territories;
- Assisting State, Territory and Federal attorneys-general to agree on uniform legislation regarding birth certificate changes based on affirmation of gender and not surgery;
- Ensuring the new ALP government acts urgently to implement its policy platform in the area of Federal Anti-Discrimination law covering gender identity. We note with appreciation the apology from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd re being unable to attend the launch.
For more information please contact Sally Goldner on 0407 946 242.
To view Tranznation go to http://www.glhv.org.au/node/398 or http://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs/download_reports.html#trans
To order hard copies phone the Australian Research Centre for Sex Health and Society on 03 9285 5382.
14 December 2007
