Welcome to all on this
important day on the trans calendar.
TDOR is a time to
remember and reflect - in many ways. We obviously remember those we have lost
through transphobic hate crimes. TGEU’s monitoring service sadly reports 239
known murders in the 12 months to 31 October 2013. We also remember those we
have lost to transphobia in general such as inadequate medical care,
unemployment or homelessness. I also seem to recollect all the trans people I
have known including those who have left us of natural causes too – hold that
last thought.
I also like to reflect
on the amazing strengths of trans people: our ability to survive, our courage,
our resilience, our ability to speak out and tell the truth about our lives and
build our allies across society and community.
Re allies, it would seem
a total natural that trans/gender diverse and people who work in the sex
industry would be allies, given there are a high proportion of trans peeps
working in the industry. At times, however, trans people may have been unduly
influenced by society’s general sex negativity, including negativity to those
working in the sex industry. I think it is incredibly pleasing to see this
shifting and that there is greater co-operation between those working in the
sex industry, both cis and trans, and trans generally.
I can report that this
reached a new high over in Melbourne, albeit in a time of challenge, in early
2011. At a conference called Feminist Futures, both trans and workers were
extremely concerned about the presence of well known so-called radical feminist
Sheila Jeffreys and her allies. Everyone came together to ensure monitoring of
discussions in the program and to provide a safe space outside of the
conference building, among other measures. Whether by our karma or other
reasons, Sheila decided not to be officially involved in the conference – no
loss. If I can add one moment of humour on this serious occasion, there was
some irony in the announcement that “Sheila Jeffreys pulls out.” Interestingly,
she did attend as a sort of observer to some of the workshops and seemed to
listen. Whether anything shifted or not we will never know. Main outcome: I
felt bond between trans and those working in the sex industry was stronger than
before.
As we get some progress
for trans people with what I call the macro or big-picture advances such as
federal equal opportunity law and the sex and gender guidelines – noting there
is still much to happen - there will be a shift to what I call the micro issues
within trans. At a fantastic forum on intersex, trans and gender diverse youth
health in Geelong last month, Cannon O’Saurus, a young trans person who is also
President of Ygender, a trans and gender diverse youth group in Victoria, made
an important comment. Cannon reminded us to remember the “margins within the
margins” including regional/rural, youth, non-binary and culturally and
linguistically diverse trans people – among others. I believe it would be
appropriate to consider trans people working in the sex industry as possibly one
of those specific groups as well. I would take this opportunity to say I would
be only too willing to communicate with those working in the industry to ensure
those specific needs are included in policy. The bonds that arose from a time
of adversity now need to become proactive bonds.
I said I would
mention someone who left us of natural causes. I want to close by mentioning a
trans woman who sadly left us in 2004 for non-trans health reasons, being Jenny
Phillips. Jenny was hugely involved in Victoria’s GLBT Anti-Violence Project
and was also an editor of Seahorse Club of Victoria’s magazine, the Seahorse
Times. At the end of every column she wrote she quoted 2 lines from the song,
sung by John Farnham and written by Andy
Qunta, Keith Reid, Maggie Ryder and Chris Thompson being “You’re the Voice.”
We're not gonna sit in
silence
We're not gonna live with fear
We're not gonna live with fear
I agree Jenny ! We will
stand and speak and we will live with courage. We will courageously seek out
allies of all sorts and thereby paint into a corner those who would oppose us
and our rights, be we trans, people working in the sex industry or both. Every
person is entitled to live authentically in line with their soul and we are all
people too.
Peace and strength to
all
