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Amy Hamblin
To me the recent accolades and hero worship on this website and on other sites for Cate McGregor seem to be becoming something akin to the Oscars award ceremony, where one of the true trailblazers here in our own backyard has all but been forgotten.
I don’t wish to take anything away from Cates’ time in the spotlight nor to appear trivialising her story and success, nor to be misconstrued as such, but I do feel those who have any interest in her story must also draw parallels with our own Cpl Amy Hamblin (also a TgR member), whose story of full transition within the RAAF has been overlooked to a large degree.
Amy has fought long legal battles within the Australian Defence Force from January 2009 to finally achieve the relaxing of rules and guidelines as to nowadays allow understanding, compassion and the full inclusion of those members from our own diverse GLBTI community, becoming Transgender Advisor to the RAAF at Williams Base, Point Cook, Victoria.
Amy was also instrumental in getting DEFGLIS …the Australian Defence Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Information Service, off the ground.As many of us in the Victorian Transgender Community well know, Amy has long been a tireless worker for Trans acceptance rights and understanding, liaising with Wyndham City Council and others to promote our GLBTI causes in the West, with flag raising ceremonies and rainbow crossing promotions just a few activities undertaken to raise awareness and to help stamp out Transphobia and Homophobia within the general public.
Amy has also always without question, thrown her home open to any of us who have found ourselves needing somewhere to go and feel comfortable, allowing those undergoing the more serious side of transitioning to stay as long as we like and even taking boarders from time to time.
I have found her to be kind, compassionate and a goldmine of information and inspiration.I’m proud to count Amy Hamblin as a personal friend.
Jannine Jones
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2 Replies
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I would have to say that I haven’t met Amy and wasn’t aware of her involvements and actions in relation to the issues we face. But having read Jannine’s comments I would certainly be just as glowing in my praise of Amy as I was for Cate. The more positive role models us girls have to emulate and identify with the better off we will all be. So kisses and kudos to both gals
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I heartily agree Jannine. I have met Amy; she was the first person to ever meet ‘Jane’ back when I was very deep in the closet. I found her to be warm, encouraging and she was able to help me overcome many of my early fears.
Her quiet, somewhat behind-the-scenes work took something of a setback when the whole ‘Bridget Clinch’ thing hit the news services a few years back but Amy kept working away and has achieved much. We corresponded frequently for a while but I mostly lost touch after she moved to Melbourne. I am happy to say that I’ve recently renewed that friendship, on line at least.
Let us hope that the work of all these wonderful people continues to help to break down even more barriers.
