Politics and Transformal

[Alice]

From experience, I’d suggest that in any discussion with political content, you will need to clearly define the scope of the discussion in writing in advance, and you will need to make extra effort to maintain control of the direction that the discussion takes.

Inevitably, within our community we have a range of political views that reflect almost the entire spectrum of the wider community, and it’s inevitable that, given the opportunity, someone will drag the discussion towards their own political opinion. If that’s allowed to happen, it’s then inevitable that others with opposing views will either try to respond, or will be offended by the direction that the discussion has taken or the fact that they didn’t get a opportunity to respond.

Undesirable and offensive political discussion does damage our community. If someone is badgered with a political opinion that conflicts with their own, they are likely to avoid the person doing the badgering, which may lead them to cease attending events where that person is likely to be present. For example, that’s why I no longer attend Newcastle cafe nights.

[Adrian]

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From experience, I’d suggest that in any discussion with political content, you will need to clearly define the scope of the discussion in writing in advance

Alice, I appreciate what you are saying about party politics – which like religion is, in general, a dividing not uniting force.

However you will see that we have already selected the focus statement for the thread…as above…

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“What do you think is the most important issue facing transgender and other gender diverse people?”

Which I think (and hope) makes discussion along conventional party political lines quite off topic.

I do hear the feedback from my resident ABC Q&A aficionado who tells me that introducing party politicians onto the panel of the show is a death knell for entertaining and informative discussion.

Luckily the organisers of TransFormal are responsible for choosing the panelists and so we should be able to avoid the pitfalls you have described.

You may attend TransFormal safe in the knowledge that you won’t be subjected to badgering… though you will have to wear a badge! 😆

[Adrian]

It appears that several members have become frustrated with the limitations of forums as a tool to form united action for change.

Forums are great for sharing ideas, supporting each other and understanding diversity.
BUT if you want action then there is little alternative to face-to-face meetings and workshops.

This year Transformal will provide over 3 hours of opportunity to escape the virtual world of forums and email. This has the potential to effectively clarify our thoughts and focus our actions.

The talk stops here….now is the time to do!

In the TranFormal thread I will be shortly posting an invitation to those who would like the opportunity to take an active role in the workshops.

But there is a general invitation to everyone to come and participate in whatever way you feel comfortable.
Just listening to the discussions could transform your understanding of the issues we face.

Writing about change will achieve little, come to Transformal and be part of it.

For the cynics out there – this isn’t an attempt by a few to dictate an agenda.
I have personally little drive for public action and fewer ideas.
But access to a hotel and a body of gender diverse guests makes a compelling reason for me to facilitate such discussions.

Opportunities like this are very rare in our community.
I will be personally very disappointing if I provide the forum but everyone stays comfortably at home by their computers.

[Anonymous]

I would love to come and attend the discussions at Katoombe but I am still unfortunately in an extremely cash strapped self inflicted position, so any travel is totally inaccessible to me. I’m afraid I will just have to keep on working untill I climb out of this hole.

Perhaps Amanda could arrange for a live video feed for those of us trapped at home??

[Adrian]

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Perhaps Amanda could arrange for a live video feed for those of us trapped at home??

After the knee jerk reaction I got from a few about having a camera at TransFormal last year you can be sure that I won’t be setting up a live uncensored video feed for the armchair audience.

Anyhow I think most of those who may entertain and inform us by being on the panel are unlikely to see themselves as budding media personalities. We can all have more fun if we know we aren’t being watched

BTW I know that some people have saved for the last year to be at TransFormal again… so its all a question of priorities – as are most things in life.

[JeniSkunk]

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I would love to come and attend the discussions at Katoombe but I am still unfortunately in an extremely cash strapped self inflicted position, so any travel is totally inaccessible to me.
Perhaps Amanda could arrange for a live video feed for those of us trapped at home??

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After the knee jerk reaction I got from a few about having a camera at TransFormal last year

Guilty as charged.

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you can be sure that I won’t be setting up a live uncensored video feed for the armchair audience.

A video feed of all the Events at TransFormal would be a problem to manage, and would raise the question:
“Should those who want a comprehensive video feed of TransFormal pay for the video feed?”

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Anyhow I think most of those who may entertain and inform us by being on the panel are unlikely to see themselves as budding media personalities. We can all have more fun if we know we aren’t being watched

If not a video feed of the discussion, then at least perhaps a transcript or info pages of what was discussed, for the Forum?
I do recall asking about transcripts or info pages for some of the workshops from the 2011 TransFormal which I could not afford to attend.

Jenifur Charne

[Adrian]

Quote:

Guilty as charged.

You weren’t the only one tinged with a bit of guilt! So you don’t have to feel the weight of responsibility falls totally on your shoulders

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If not a video feed of the discussion, then at least perhaps a transcript or info pages of what was discussed, for the Forum?

Why not?

All it needs is a volunteer to scribble things down.

Anyone volunteering?
Preferably someone who plans to be there !!!!
🙄

[Anonymous]

I would love to see a transcript if one eventuates.

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BTW I know that some people have saved for the last year to be at TransFormal again… so its all a question of priorities – as are most things in life.

This would have been a great idea, but in order to save you have to actually have something left every week to put away.

[JeniSkunk]

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All it needs is a volunteer to scribble things down.

And transcribe what was recorded to the Forum.
The biggest problem with ‘scribble things down’ at such a workshop or discusson, is knowing who is saying what. Having a video recording would make the job easier, as the person doing the recording could check the video to see who was speaking, when the notes are tidied up for distribution.
I am somewhat familiar with the job from having been the Minutes Secretary for my community housing group for the past 8 years.

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BTW I know that some people have saved for the last year to be at TransFormal again…

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Preferably someone who plans to be there !!!!

Started saving for TransFormal 2013 after buying my tickets for TransFormal 2012.
My tickets for TransFormal 2013 are already bought and paid for in full.
I’ve already started saving for TransFormal 2014.

Jenifur Charne

[bee]

While a transcript would be nice, in reality just a report about the events (names can be withheld if required) would be informative for members who don’t attend, as well as being a promotion for a possible future event.

If it is text then the issues of photos does not come up – but again it’s easier to post photos than to sit down and write a report. It takes time and effort and a dedication. And of course most members attend to enjoy themselves not ‘work’.

[Adrian]

Quote:

. And of course most members attend to enjoy themselves not ‘work’.

To put this in context I am humbled each year by the number of attendees who want to volunteer to help over the weekend in some way. The sight of an army of volunteers collapsing the lights and PA at midnight in formal gowns is one of my personal highlights of the event. It appears that many attendees are able to reconcile the need to have fun and get “value for money” with the call to personally put something back into the community.

I hope this continues because without the help TransFormal would have to seriously scale back its size.

And so if a budding journalist/reporter wants to write up events and can reconcile that with enjoying their weekend…let’s talk!!!!

But no camera/recording – just good old fashioned journalism!