A little bit of binary busting

As a trans/gender diverse (and increasingly BGILQT) trainer/educator, I love what I do. I say that after a session I walk out on air 30 cm above the ground.

Increasingly, there are days when I walk out 40...or 50... or...60 cm above the ground. How so, you ask?

It's when I have a "two-way street" experience. That's where someone comes up with (in the words of Daffy Duck) "a little wrinkle that I've never thought of." I have to stretch myself and I learn something new.

So I thought I'd share an example of such an experience from about 3 months ago.

I was talking with a group of young people. They mentioned that some vaccinations at primary school differ for "boys" and "girls" or for our more precise way of thinking, those born with male bodies and female bodies. and the process is "boys line up in one queue, girls line up in another (urk)."
So what happens when there is a young person, (for example) born with male body who has affirmed a female identity very early? They would still need the "male body" vaccination - but obviously to stand in the "male" queue might out them unfairly, maybe put them at risk of prejudice, bullying etc
Damn good question. I candidly admit I hadn't thought about it. And in the moment it wasn't possible to give the "right" answer directly off the bat. So we teased it out a bit, I then went away and consult with colleagues etc, work it out and come back via email afterwards.
For what it's worth, a possible answer is to have lines where anyone can queue and the person giving the vaccination asks "which do you require?" They accept the student's response without question. Also, the people coming in to do the vaccination could be informed discretely beforehand "we have a trans/gender diverse student at our school. So if someone who appears to be female asks for a male vaccination, please be prepared for that and give what is requested without suprise or questioning." There could also be screens of some sort separating the queues so no-one else sees or hears what is going for any other student, thereby protecting privacy.
But to me, it's almost not about the answer - it's about the deeper process that's happening. That people are thinking about this - or once they realise the binary is only an assumption that can be questioned and they then start thinking and questioning - means that by putting trans and gender knowledge together with someone else's knowledge - in this case knowledge of school life (which is deep and forgotten in my memory cells :) ) we have done a 2 + 2 = 5 and put a sledge-hammer blow in the gender binary rock. We've got into the deeply-rooted binary thinking and uprooted one binary plant. We've created alliances together and they spread. And particularly that young people are challenging this is strong reason to believe, even more than hope, there is true generational and long-term change happening.
YAY! #binarybusters

A trans message of love

Dear beautiful, amazing, awesome and uniquely gifted trans, gender diverse and allied people

I am thinking of and feeling very much for everyone at the moment.

I totally understand that there are tough times for many individuals and that collectively too, there are many pressures.

I state that I have been in those difficult places myself. Wherever my life is now - which on every level is hugely the best it has ever been - I remember it was not so easy in past times. I felt I was stuck right in the middle of downtown hell.

Thing is, I did get out of there. Despite years of fear of rejection and ridicule, I found a way to reach out to someone. I learned to trust. I got to the point where the sign on the side of the road said “you are now leaving hell – travel safely.”  :)

So while acknowledging there is difficulty and past pain, I offer that there can be a future of hope and serenity. I ask people to imagine what it would be like and see it in your mind’s eye.

I ask that people please reach out to friends, talk to someone and let out what can feel like a huge whirling around in your head. Use services such as Lifeline 131114 or Q-Life (including Switchboard) on 03 96632939 or 1800 184527. Utilise the longer term options in Zoe Belle Gender Centre’s resources listing at gendercentre.com

Trans and gender diverse (and allies) are one of my communities and family of choice. Good communities and good families stick together and love each other and I see much of that. Reach out and tap into each other’s strengths.

As individuals and collectively I firmly believe we are stronger and can keep becoming even stronger again.

And again.  And again.

Lotsa love, hugz and serene karma.

The wacky read-headed WWE, country-and-western, classic-Aussie-rock loving aunty Sally

PS Naturally please feel free to re-post, share, tweet and all those modern things. :)

PPS Acknowledgements to Pretenders 1981 song Message of Love for the title of this post. And I only re-checked the lyrics after writing this and they are spot on.

Article on Transfamily in Manningham Leader

also by link at

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/warrandwood-mum-of-transgender-daughter-inspired-by-experience-to-support-others/story-fngnvlxu-1226864316658

Call for contributors to research into trans and CALD in Victoria