2011 TgR Survey Feedback

[Adrian]

Thank you to all those who have shared their thoughts about the survey in the final comments box.
I don’t know who you are… but I do appreciate the feedback.
Some nice things people have said about the survey so far….

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Congratulations on taking the time to make this survey. If nothing else it will help members think and reflect about themselves perhaps and no doubt this is a good thing too.

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Thanks for doing this!!

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As far as survey’s can go, this one is pretty good.

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Thank you for setting this survey up. I’m looking forward to the results.

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Thank you for the untold hours of preparation put into this valuable research. May the outcomes of same drive a larger more detailed one next year. I have appreciated, immensely, the effort you have put into this document.

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Thank you for the sensitivity and quality of this survey. It has been a pleasure to complete it.

[Adrian]

After a successful (I think) launch of the survey results last weekend I’m putting together a place on the web for the report to rest. This is to allow others to reference the report with a simple URL.

If all goes to plan the report will be on-line for everyone to read late next week.

[Michelle_Alan]

Thank you Amanda I’m sure like many in TgR I’m looking forward to seeing both the diversity and commonality of this important snapshot of modern Australian society. I’m very proud to be a member of this community.
Alana

[Anonymous]

Firstly I would like to congratulate the authors and conductors of the TgR survey. The survey and report have been expertly done in a manner that is likely to produce meaningful and important information for not only the TG community but society as a whole.

Secondly I believe that the scope and framing of the survey have been done very well. The survey encompasses issues of importance to the TG community without getting sidetracked particularly.

I must admit to having some apprehension regarding the gender scale employed within the survey, at least initially. Whilst I believe such a scale has limitations, particularly at the level of the individual, wihtin the context of the survey I believe that it does it’s job well.

I only have a couple of minor disagreements with presentation and comments. Firstly I find the translation of percentages to certain key words a little cumbersome. I was constantly referring back to the definitions to find out what “some”or “few” meant. I feel it would have been just as easy and just as readable to include the percentage brackets e.g. >95% of respondents…….
I did also find the use of the acronym GID confusing. Many within the community use the term GID to mean Gender Identity Disorder,with the specific meanings associated with that. I feel a better acronym would have eliminated some of this confusion.
Finally my only other disagreement is related to the comment regarding telling partners. The comment suggests that partners who are not supportive may be “weeded out” so to speak by them terminating the relationship. Thus mostly supportive partners remain within the population. If the true level of acceptance by partners in the actual population I.e. Females in society, was lower than that reflected in the survey then surely all other things being equal one would expect that the survey population should have a lower incidence of stable long term relationships than the general population, and the reverse is true based on the survey results.

Looking forward to others interpretations

[Victoria_Ellis]

Can I just add my admiration and respect for Amanda and those who also helped in the production of the final report.

It is impressive, professional and fascinating to read. Some great insights and helped me understand where I am and others are in this challenging world.

[Adrian]

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Finally my only other disagreement is related to the comment regarding telling partners. The comment suggests that partners who are not supportive may be “weeded out” so to speak by them terminating the relationship. Thus mostly supportive partners remain within the population.

There is strong anecdotal evidence to support the assertion in the survey – those who have been about in the wider gender diverse community for a time keep encountering breaking or broken relationships, and those of us who have stable, supportive, relationships are very aware we are a lucky minority. So the statistics don’t seem unduly surprising to me.

And there are hard facts – 1/4 of those surveyed had previously told a partner, and now reported they have not got a partner. I think the interpretation in the survey is pretty compelling!! But what do you expect from the author!

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If the true level of acceptance by partners in the actual population I.e. Females in society, was lower than that reflected in the survey then surely all other things being equal one would expect that the survey population should have a lower incidence of stable long term relationships than the general population, and the reverse is true based on the survey results.

I’m not sure I understand that argument. There are many factors here
– the incidence of stable relationships amongst those who don’t know…may be different from the general population because of the “type of person” who is gender diverse. Not sure why we would expect it to be lower particularly. If you don’t know someone is gender diverse why would it affect your relationship particularly?
– the incidence of stable relationships amongst those who do know (which I think is lower from the survey)
– the lack of data about teh number of relationships and which are “long term”
– the age demographic of the surveyed population.

Trying to match that to any general population statistics is I think in the “too hard” basket!

[June]

Amanda I am impressed by the thoroughness of the report and the amount of time and thought that has obviously gone into it. I think I will read it a few times before I am sure of what I am reading, but the initial impression is that it is balanced and probably an accurate portrayal of CDs within the constraints imposed by the membership and limited sample size.

Well done.

June

[Anonymous]

Hi Amanda and all TGR’ers.

I would like to heartily “second June’s motion” about the survey. Obviously a lot of hard work and thought went into it, “before, during and after”.

A most comprehensive snapshot of the TGR community in Oz and NZ. What would be even better is this if most valuable data can be put to good use for the future betterment of the gender diverse community in Australia and NZ.

And by that I mean the whole gamut, from very securely closeted CD’s like me all the way through to those whom have successfully transitioned to their preferred gender.

Well done to all concerned.

Caty