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Human Rights Commissioner Gender Diversity Project
All,
below is a summary of my submission to the Human Rights Commissioner on discrimination against the Transgender Community.
I have also included an extract from the relevant page of the Human Rights Commissioner Web Site.
I would encourage everyone in the Transgender Community to participate and assist the Commissioner.
Towards that end I have published my submission as a starting point for discussion
Of course it will be a long journey for everyone to address these issues therefore I would like to remind everyone that the :-
1. Hardest step in a journey of a 1000 miles is the first step.
2. Commissioner only has limited resources and therefore cannot
address everything at once.Website Address: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/human_rights/gay_lesbian/index.html#diversity
Extract From Human Rights Commissioner Website
“Sex and gender diversity projectHREOC is seeking the views of the sex and gender diverse community about the most pressing human rights issues facing their community. HREOC also seeks input into how it might assist in promoting and protecting the human rights of people who are transgender, transsexual or intersex.
HREOC has prepared a short paper analysing some sex and gender diversity issues and their human rights implications. The paper has been sent to some organisations representing the sex and gender diverse community.
If you would like to be involved in HREOC’s sex and gender diversity human rights project, please refer to the following documents:
* invitation for comment from the Human Rights Commissioner
* sex and gender diversity issues paperInitial feedback is required by 30 May 2008.
Responses can be sent by:
* email to sarah.winter@humanrights.gov.au or
* post to Sex and Gender Diversity Project, HREOC at GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001.For more information, please contact Sarah Winter, Policy Officer on 02 9284 9650
Extract From Human Rights Commissioner Website Ends
Outline Of Submission To Human Rights CommissionerThere are two types of discrimination:-
• Deliberate
• UnintentionalMain Purpose Of Submission is to discuss unintentional as follows:-
• Change Of Name By Deed Poll
o Need to pay Baycorp Fee to ensure that you are “not evadingâ€Â
any debt. If you have Baycorp Listing, Change Of Name may not
be effected despite letter from Monash
o You will only find out after you have done your fee
o There is a fee for change of name on licence but not change of
gender once certificate of operation produced• Medical Treatment
o Coronory Treatment is fully funded
o Gender Reassignment is not – typically you have to have an
additional $10,000 to cover the operation plus home care for
the month afterwards
o Not every state has transgender programme• Prison Treatment
o Preoperative Transgender are assigned to male prisons
• Only option is to seek isolation unit – no guarantee unless
you hit a guard
• If you are in general population you are at grave risk of rape
o Can only be sent to Female Prison after operation
o Problems about continuing treatment in light of recent
decision regarding serial rapist.• Legal Treatment
o Differences in Law Between States
o Federal Passport Issues – Not clear whether I can get one in
new gender
o Problem of transgender who are married at time of operation -
3 Replies
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Having attended the Perth session with the HREOC Commissioner on Wednesday this week with a couple of other representatives from our diverse community, I can strongly recommend that people get along to the next session if they are in your area. (I believe it is Sydney next, Canberra and Cairns) The commisioner is genuinly interested in what we have to say and is determined to make changes for our benefit, I must admit I was a bit sceptical before I went but the session cetianly changed my views.
If you can not make the next sessions the commissioner has advised that they will be setting up a blog spot (details to be annouced soon) so that they can hear from as many people as possible in our community.
cheers
Rhi
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Do you have any links, or information on the dates and times for these upcoming sessions?
Thanks
Robyn -
Hi Robyn
Sarah Winter is arranging the meetings as per Jennifers original post here is her contact details:
* email to sarah.winter@humanrights.gov.au or
* post to Sex and Gender Diversity Project, HREOC at GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001.For more information, please contact Sarah Winter, Policy Officer on 02 9284 9650
I suggest that you give her a call as I believe the Eastern states meetings will be next week and you need to RSVP?
cheers
Rhi
