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Australian Bureau of Statistics
The following article was forwarded to me by Sally Conning to post….
Transgender Victoria (TGV) today welcomed the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) review of its ‘Sex Standard’ and launched an online survey created in partnership with Ygender, Zoe Belle Gender Centre and Family Planning Victoria.
“One key area the ABS needs to review is a more accurate recognition, and means of counting trans people. The current definitions that focus on ‘sex’ as a category fail to do this, particularly given that a person’s self-identification/expression is an important consideration and is different from ‘sex’, said TGV spokesperson Sally Goldner.
“The capacity and need to collect information on gender and sex for those that do not identify themselves in line with assignment based on their body at birth is vital.”
“TGV believe recognising and improving methods of counting people who are gender diverse will assist in gaining important information to ascertain the need for a range of health and support services”, said Sally.
“We encourage individuals and organisations to submit to our brief survey and also make submissions directly to the ABS. This will result in better communication between trans and gender diverse people and the ABS. TGV want to ensure that more information about trans people can be gained in a way that is respectful and that suits their needs”.
Sally continued, “there is currently no count of gender diverse people in the Australian census, or National or State data collection on people of all gender identities, so we support the investigation and research (in line with the Diversity in Health report) into how to identify the needs of trans and gender diverse people.”
“TGV believe this review is a positive step towards obtaining statistics that will aid research on the trans and gender diverse community into the future. We hope that a large portion of the trans community get involved in this review and strongly encourage people to do so before 28 February 2013”, Sally said.
For more information contact Sally Goldner on 0407 946 242
http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/Review+of+the+Sex+Standard (Submissions due 28 February 2013.)
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4 Replies
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Related to the previous article there is currently a survey running that members may want to complete:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/absstandard (please complete ASAP!)
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I encourage members to complete or look at the survey linked previously. It certainly made me think about the value or otherwise of being “counted”.
Quote:One key area the ABS needs to review is a more accurate recognition, and means of counting trans people.[ul]So… we ask everyone in Australia how gender diverse they are….9x% of the population doesn’t understand the question and tick the box matching their sex. Because for most people sex = gender and they live happily ever after in their own stereotype. But for those who have thought about their inner gender – what information are they going to give that would be useful when rolled up into the ABS statistical reports?[/ul]
The survey asks you to think what question you would ask – to be counted. Its a tricky question.
For the count to be meaningful it would have to capture all gender diversity – no matter how it is manifested physically. It shouldn’t matter if you currently express your gender once a year, or 24/7. It shouldn’t matter if you aspire to change your birth sex, or you choose to live with the constraints of an existing relationship.
But would such a count
Quote:assist in gaining important information to ascertain the need for a range of health and support services”as proposed?
I’m all for understanding and embracing the diversity of our community. But is simple question on the national survey and effective way to do that?
I don’t want to join the ranks of the Torres Straights islanders and just be a tick box for bureaucracy.
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The survey closes Friday Feb 15, 2013 so today is your last chance to answer it. You can however write a submission and the deadline for that is Feb 28th.
There is only 1 page of questions so I agree with Amanda-Adrian, please make your thoughts count, and perhaps lead to change with the Census.
If this does change, then other similar government forms may change as well. It is important your feelings are recoded.
Fill it out now here
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I have just completed the survey & made numerous suggestions as the survey allows. I will post of what those suggestions are when I have more time but will say now, that one of the key points was that the TgR survey used a 5 position scale to allow for greater scope in explaining ones gender.
I will write a submission explaining this & also offering the survey results, expanding on my other points & additionally I will make contact with the person nominated at the end of the survey.
If you miss the opportunity to participate in the survey then as Bambi has said, you can still make your own submission. For those who don’t know how to or feel uncomfortable doing so, can I suggest that you make your thoughts known here & I will compile them into my submission.
PLEASE SEE LINK ABOVE FOR SURVEY
