Trans advocacy in Victoria and Australia - part 3 of a 3 part series

The trilogy wraps up with a look at national developments in the last 5 years.
National co-operation

While state issues were the main focus during the decade 2000-9, there was little hope for trans (or GLBTI issues overall) nationally until 2007. The socially conservative LNP government of John Howard, elected in 1996, showed no interest in reform and was most noted for amending the Marriage Act (a law, not part of the Constitution) to specifically state “man and woman.” From a trans-specific perspective, in 2006, the limited but valuable flexibility on passports for trans people travelling overseas for surgery was removed without consultation or warning, meaning passports were based totally on birth certificates, resulting in inconvenience and probably risk for trans people.

The Howard government lost office in 2007 and was replaced by the ALP, led by Prime Minster Kevin Rudd. In its first term it focussed on removing discrimination at a national level against same-sex couples, amending around 100 laws in the process (although not making any attempt at marriage equality). There was better news on passports, with moves back towards flexibility that countered the 2006 reversal and went a little further.

 In mid 2010, Kevin Rudd was replaced by Julia Gillard as ALP leader and Prime Minister, and after the August 2010 election the ALP formed a minority government with the support of independents. This was incredibly timely as in April 2010 came the beginnings of combined efforts at national trans advocacy.

This took place at the national Health in Difference conference in Sydney. WA trans man Aram Hosie organised the session “Moving Beyond Talking” (which received a participants choice award). The foundations established at this session created the basis of national co-operation and progress and these have been built on since then.

The first policy breakthrough took place in September 2011. The government announced passports would be based totally on affirmed identity for trans and gender diverse people, gave an X option and also announced reforms for intersex people. Draft guidelines were presented to representatives of TGV, A Gender Agenda (an organisation in the Australian Capital Territory), Western Australia Gender Project and Organisation Intersex Internationale Australia. These guidelines needed only minor modification before being released (after public consultation with the trans community).

This was the biggest policy or legal change in Australian history up to that point in time to base documentation on affirmed identity. With hindsight, it was also a clever strategic “testing of the waters” that laid the ground for the 3 areas of federal reform that occurred in 2013. Public backlash was virtually nil, even on conservative talk-back radio stations. One caller, after a TGD person was interviewed on Melbourne radio, even asked why it hadn’t happened earlier. Trans was no longer a shock value issue; people had a basic understanding and were able to accept policy reforms were needed. The trans advocacy movement had reached a major milestone. It was also worth noting a unanimous High Court decision (AH and AB’s case, AH and AB being 2 trans men in Western Australia) was handed down in the same month as this policy changed. This also reinforced the principle that surgery was not a vital part of recognising all trans people for being who we are.

Another major development, which assisted trans advocacy, was the receipt of ongoing funding for two paid roles in the LGBTI Health Alliance. The organisation prioritised 2 areas: one being intersex, trans and gender diverse people (the other being LGBTI seniors). This resulted in the formation of what ultimately became known as the Intersex, Trans and Gender Diverse working group to work with the paid employee. The impact of having someone paid to assist largely voluntary efforts has been large and the support of a large organisation with resources and networks will continue to make a positive impact.

In June 2012, history was made with a 2-day roundtable in Sydney of 18 intersex, trans and gender diverse people from all states and territories and also a range of backgrounds e.g. indigenous/sistagirl, sex workers. The roundtable prioritised 5 key priority areas for progress after brainstorming every possible issue. The result was the Diversity in Health document which was launched in November 2012. This was effectively a 3-5 year strategic plan for intersex, trans and gender diverse people. Importantly, it was launched at a function for the Parliamentary friends of GLBTI in Canberra. To have the focus of a cross-section of all federal politicians on trans and gender diverse, and to some extent intersex, was a major breakthrough. Many were not aware of the grave social difficulties still facing trans and gender diverse people and as such, by hearing stories and meeting with us, many had a major paradigm shift.

There was a significant side note to the Sydney meeting. At the end of the second day, those from beyond Sydney caught cabs together to the airport and were having a quiet (non-alcoholic) drink together before catching flights home. All noted that while intersex, trans and gender diverse were making progress, bisexual issues were probably further behind in understanding and support than intersex, trans and gender diverse. It is significant that a group of people still striving for major reform had the leadership quality of empathy to consider others and it was a small yet powerful indicator of the increasing strength in the national trans and gender diverse movement.

Meanwhile the federal government was pressing ahead with an overhaul of federal discrimination protections which also aimed to add sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status at national level. A draft national bill was presented in November 2012 while at the same time the state of Tasmania was moving to insert a better definition of gender identity into its existing state laws. The Tasmanian definition was simpler and gave more coverage to the trans and gender diverse kaleidoscope, in particular to those identifying in non-binary ways. The federal attorney general readily accepted the Tasmanian definition was better and supported its inclusion. The positive contrast when compared to the difficulties in Victoria in 2000 showed advocacy and the trans movement had clearly been effective in getting the basics across. Trans issues were simply not controversial any more. The resulting legislation, while not the original major overhaul, gave federal protection after at least 17 years of previous effort. Further, no state law was weakened, and many were strengthened due to the previously mentioned provision in the federal constitution. There was no controversy in adding these attributes with at least 95% of the Parliament being supportive and a formal vote was not required. Most of all, the co-operation between advocates across GLBTI was perfect and was a factor that helped put the world first intersex protections into law as well.

At the same time, the federal government announced two further policy changes. The principles of the 2011 passport reforms were extended to sex and gender guidelines with all national departments and agencies been given 3 years to comply. Also, changes were announced to the government health insurance system Medicare to make some processes gender-neutral. The health care provisions can help to pave the way for eventual public funding of trans surgeries and the documentation guidelines are easily applicable to states and territories.

Conclusion

While it is understandable that the need for change is pressing for trans and gender diverse people, the lessons learned from all of the above simply reinforce basic human principles such as trust and patience. By building trust, people have worked together. By taking the time to communicate and build a true picture of trans and gender diverse lives, advocacy is then made easier in the long run.

It has also been fantastic to see the greater visibility of indigenous, sistagirl and brothaboy culture. While many people such as Crystal Johnston have worked intensely in this area for many years, the leadership of sistagirl Starlady Nungari and brothaboy Kai Clancy have taken this to higher levels.

As noted, non-binary issues, while moving rapidly forward, still face many challenges. As an example, a supposedly safe conference on BGILT in schools recently began with the words “welcome...ladies and gentlemen,” thereby making non-binary people invisible. Again, education and communication will be needed. This is a critical point given 33% of young trans and gender diverse people identified as non-binary in the research piece “from Blues to Rainbows” released in September 2014.

It is fantastic to see the emergence of trans and gender diverse young people and their involvement in advocacy. The Victorian-based group Ygender has grown exponentially in the last 3 years. Coverage of trans and gender diverse issues for young people has improved from the pathologising attitudes of 10 years ago to listening to those willing to speak publicly. And overall, media coverage has increased in balance and is more respectful.

The future is not without challenges. Different states and territories are at different levels of progress both within the community regarding both levels of lateral violence within the trans and gender diverse community and re acceptance in the wider community. It is important to ensure that existing work is built upon rather than having these regions re-invent the wheel, particularly given the largely voluntary nature of those involved.

Overall, the future is bright for trans and gender diverse advocacy in Australia. So long so communication and co-operation continues and grows, it is firmly believed that the trans movement in Australia can keep moving – and definitely move in the right direction.

MindOUT! Conference 26-27 June: When worlds collide...clearing a head-on crash at my queer intersection

I started writing this the morning after...really early morning after two days of the MindOUT Conference. The fact that that I was awake and starting my creation of this piece at 530 AM after two days of the usual rainbow conference combination of adrenaline and brain drain speaks volumes at volume about how deeply I’m feeling what I’m feeling.

First up, there were many positives over the two days. Trans (binary) is clearly on the map in Australia (albeit with state/territory and regional differences). Ever since Health in Difference 2010, including in particular Aram Hosie’s award winning workshop http://www.lgbtihealth.org.au/health-in-difference-2010 , efforts around Australia on many levels have skyrocketed. I had great resonance with James Moreton’s keynote on trans experiences in the Scottish health system. It sounded pretty similar to here in Australia and I think we can go bigger than national co-operation. International co-operation on this and other issues would mean rather than inventing the same basic wheel, we could invent a mega-wheel and adapt the wheel for local driving conditions. This could only save time, effort and money and I think would be looked at favourably by governments re funding.

The other positive is that there are an increasing number of people doing rainbow education e.g. talks, presentations. I think a network of some sort for people like that would be a good idea. Watch this space... J

I would acknowledge there are still issues for non-binary peeps. Using terms like brothers and sisters creates invisibility for non-binary folk. I acknowledge that it will take effort to uproot years of binary auto-pilot; thing is, it can happen more quickly it if we start re-programming the auto-pilot now. We can “engage not attack” and get it done.

I am not intersex and therefore will not speak re how much intersex is or isn’t on the map. I’ll let people such as Gina Wilson, Morgan Carpenter and other peeps experiencing intersex who attended.

So: why was I awake at such a proverbial ungodly hour? Houston, there’s a problem.

There wasn’t, to use my phrase, too many Bs buzzing in. Bisexual wasn’t really there.

I now define my own sexual orientation as bi/pan. My own personal definition of bi/pan is that over the course of my life, I’m attracted to people of more than one gender identity/attracted to people regardless of gender identity. Note, that’s only my definition for me. I respect your right to your definition and labels – or to not use labels too. J

The opening plenary was a pretty good start. Associate Professor and (medical) Doctor Ruth McNair used terminology such as “homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.” She’s always been streets ahead on bi/pan (and trans too). The warm comments for her that appeared after I uploaded a photo to social media of her in action are testament to how highly she is regarded. She’s a far cry from the researcher, who, at a 2009 roundtable lumped bisexual and undecided together without blinking...or thinking. We’ll clone Dr Ruth to replace those sorts of researchers any day. J

I then had a chance to share my own story of how I’ve dealt with mental health issues along with three other trans people. Powerful and moving. Watch this space (or the space on the 3 CR airwaves) for that one. Immediately after lunch, we heard two beautiful presentations on New Zealand takaapatui (from Dr Keri Lawson-Te Aho) and Australian indigenous people (from Dameyon Bonson). Put simply, it showed great respect for diversity and intersectionality.

Thereafter, came, in my opinion, the conference bi-light. My good friend and former Bisexual Alliance Victoria (BAV) committee colleague Mary Rawson presented some of the BAV “bi the bi” stories to a small yet attentive audience in one of the breakout sessions. The feedback was along the lines of “yes we need more bi stories, keep them coming.” That feedback came from a person who didn’t identify as bi (or similar). #ally. Win.

Yours truly then chaired a breakout session to end the day. I had a chance to introduce people. I had a brief time to live out my fantasy occupation of being a WWE ring announcer/commentator. :)  Business had indeed picked up (copyright Jim Ross).

Bi and large, it was a good first day. Fun, positive and in no way were bi people stigmatised, erased or in any way, “savaged.” (I await more research on bi/pan and poly people being genetically inclined to punning).

The car crash happened for me, during the opening plenary of day two. It wasn’t anything that was said in the session, it was about what wasn’t said. Dr Gavi Ansara’s talk on being polycultural - addressed to “brothers, sisters and non-gendered siblings” (see, it’s easy) - was beautiful and authentic. Margaret Mayman, Minister at Sydney’s Pitt Street Uniting Church spoke on being a Uniting church minister and among many others things, how we need Christian voices other than the Australian Christian Lobby was spot on. Morgan Carpenter spoke clearly and effectively on intersex as always

And Margaret was totally positive in her support for polyamory and affirming all forms of relationships as opposed to putting marriage on a pedestal.

So what was the crash?

I felt that while my trans component was travelling down the freeway at 100 kph and even my poly component was cruising safely in the slow lane, my bi/pan identity suddenly felt like it had been wiped off the road. Was a quarter of one of 25 concurrent break-out sessions in two days of over 90 presenters enough?

I want to make it clear this was about my thoughts and my feelings. I don’t “blame” anyone for making biphobic remarks or anything similar.

My mind was whirling. I wanted to stand up and ask other bi/pan/similar to stand with me. But was that fair and right to ask people to out themselves? I didn’t know.

So I approached organiser Barry Taylor at morning tea with my dilemma. He unhesitatingly offered to slot three minutes for me into the closing plenary. I prepared a “manual powerpoint” (that’s hand-written notes for those under 30) on and off over the next few hours.

Maybe I was edgy, but I began to be more aware of bi invisibility. I felt annoyed at remarks from one presenter that “we get LGB.” I think most people “get” gay and lesbian; what about bi? Did that person know of the worse health outcomes and other issues for bi people?

Finally: 3:30 PM and the closing plenary. I’m sitting in the front row and I’m ready to get up. I wait through researcher John Howard (no, not the former Australian Prime Minister or the actor) – who mentioned the distressing “bi and undecided” research (to be fair he tried to point out it was not right to lump them together). Then Barry spoke – and the conference was closed. No 3 minutes.

I take responsibility for my own error in not being proactive and re-confirming at the start of the plenary I was to get 3 minutes. I apologise for letting bi/pan people down (this means there is a 98% probability I’m not a politician or a corporate media mogul – I take responsibility for my errors). I’ll learn from this and do it better next time.

All the same, I strongly believe bi/pan - and poly - folk can take something out of this. All indications are that people in fields such as those at this conference e.g. community workers, researchers – the relatively open-minded and empathic types - want more information. There is now in these sorts of circles a realisation that “we don’t know what we don’t know.” So we have a chance to tell such people what we know so they can know too and influence people in key positions

It is time for the first Australian bi/pan specific quantitative research piece/s on bi/pan and polyamory. We have research on the way re trans and gender diverse that has relatively big samples; we could get the same for bi/pan. It seems previous bi/pan research has achieved small numbers as it has only been aimed at “men who have sex with men” in venues. I think in this day and age of social media we can go further than that.

Similar to trans and gender diverse (and probably intersex), bi/pan people need to be part of BGILT initiatives from the start to promote inclusiveness and a sense of ownership. And the same as any professional with unique skills and knowledge, trans, gender diverse, intersex and bi/pan people need to be reimbursed adequately for their time. Project budgets need to factor in these amounts

So I conclude by saying it’s time the B’s more than buzzed in. It’s time to swarm.

 In 2012, after years of receiving biphobia at Melbourne’s Pride March, the organisers put bi (and poly) people near the front. The biphobia has gone away. We need to push to the front in every way.

In 2010, I presented at Health in Difference (on prejudice under the rainbow) with a paper called “How the BGILT community Can Work Together.” http://www.lgbtihealth.org.au/health-in-difference-2010/social-inclusion-working-together No one has ever asked me why I wrote the letters in that order. 4 years later, I state that there were three reasons: it uses alphabetical order – can’t dispute that (ok, I’m half serious, half humourous on that one); for me personally, the B and the T are the bookends holding things together and one other one...

I put B at the front in a symbolic way to say “we’re here; we’re visible and not hidden in the middle or anywhere else.”

So it’s time now, in 2014 to put B at the front, both symbolically and practically. I call on bi/pan people to start doing this by writing BGILT (or similar). I call on people to politely and assertively request keynote speeches and major plenary sessions at “rainbow” conferences on “binary busting” for all of relationship status, gender identity and sexual orientation.

And for my sake, I want my queer car to be fully on the road from now on. :)

(These views are my own and do not necessarily any organisation with which I am involved)