Adrian
Forum Replies Created
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https://www.mup.com.au/books/transgender-australia-paperback-softback
mup.com.au
Transgender Australia, Noah Riseman
Trans and gender diverse people have always been present in Australian life, whether they've lived quiet lives in the country, performed in cabaret shows, worked on the streets or run for parliament. But over the last century there have been … Continue reading
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News.com.au reported last week that:
Gender reassignment surgery no longer required for transgender recognition in Queensland
February 25, 2023 – 3:23PM
Queensland’s government will allow a person to change gender without reassignment surgery.
The laws will permit children aged as young as 12 to change their sex on their birth certificate.
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Some of those who have read My Knights Quest have given me feedback on the book – all positive so far.
One reader (in the USA) wrote:
A compelling and important read. The quest to know thyself I think is rarely accomplished by most people. To claim how we want to be perceived, to own it and make it manifest is a journey. While much has changed culturally, understanding the many possibilities and nuances of gender identity remains confusing and complex. All those letters LGB….in no way makes the continuum and process clear. And while the evolution of understanding continues to evolve, we in America marginalize and murder.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by Adrian.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by
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Thanks to all those keen readers who have grabbed a copy of My Knight’s Quest. I already have over a $100 to donate to the Australian Queer Archives. Keep up the reading!!
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Few of us consider that our life is particularly interesting or unusual.
We can recall some brief highlights over the years with a smile, but
often our lives are cluttered with moments we would rather not remember.
I was no different in this respect, though perhaps I had more clutter
than many. The events that could make up my life story, such as my
career and family life, were clearly of little interest to anyone. My
past was captured in photograph albums and travel diaries, all hidden
away in cupboards.There was one aspect of my life that I would have preferred to remain
buried, and that was my long quest to create a space for myself as a
woman. Those memories might have remained comfortably hidden had it not
been for one man who was determined to dig them up.This autobiography tells the story of a Australian transwoman’s search
to find a space for herself in the world; a place where she could truly
exist. It is a story of how her life went from being secretive and
unknown to being accepted and understood.My Knight’s Quest is on sale through LuLu here:
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First up – a recent experience applying for car insurance with APIA (yes I’m getting old).
I found that the application form on APIA’s web site wouldn’t let me take out a policy without specifying a title. So I wrote to them
Adrian wrote:
I have a new car on order (expected mid Sep) and am evaluating who to ensure it with. I got a comprehensive quote from APIA that looks like the one I would choose. BUT it appears that when I want to purchase the cover (not just yet) the web form insists that I select a title (like MRS). I am a transwoman and don’t want any title…neither Mr nor Mrs.
Worse still, you even insist I have a title just to send you this enquiry about insisting on a title! This is something you do need to fix up please.Now I don’t want to be forced to have a title on the new car insurance policy…I am just Adrian Barnes. And I don’t want to loose any discount for applying on line… so how can I apply online without selecting a title?
I got a prompt reply back…
APIA wrote:
Hi Adrian,
Thank you for taking the time to write to us about your concerns.I can confirm that we’re unable to remove the title completely as our policies require to have a title listed. We apologise for the inconvenience caused here.
Take care.
We would love to hear your thoughts on your experience today, click here to tell us about it!Kind Regards,
Jess
Goes without saying that I clicked ‘here’ and gave them feedback on their lame excuse.
And I thought it deserved an ‘educational’ reply.
Adrian replied:
Hi Jess,
In these times I find it incredible that a title is somehow needed to take out an APIA insurance policy. I can’t see how in any way it adds to the information you justifiably need to have on the policy holder. I suspect this is just something that has always been ‘this way” and no one has challenged why.
If you feel it appropriate to escalate the issue you should perhaps note that misgendering people doesn’t cause inconvenience or concerns. It causes offense.
Obviously I won’t be taking out the APIA car insurance I was looking at, and I’ll be moving my house insurance to another insurer who displays more sensitivity towards their policy holders.
Adrian (she/her)
Once again a quick reply came back….
APIA (Felicity) wrote:
Hi Adrian,
Thanks for getting back in touch.
We’re sorry to hear that you’ve decided not to insure with APIA on this occasion.
To shed some light in our process, our premiums are based on the specific information provided, including, the sex, age and driving history of the driver/s.
For further information please see page 1 and 2 of the link below:
Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch should you require any further assistance.
Have a great day.
We would love to hear your thoughts on your experience today, click here to tell us about it!
Kind Regards,
Felicity
I resisted the temptation to give them more feedback. But instead sent this email:
Adrian replied:
Thanks for the quick response but you should realise how far off the mark the system you are defending is.
Firstly asking for a Title does not in any way tell you the sex of the applicant (or their age or driving history). Think for instance about Dr. or Rev. It tells you if a female is married – but honestly what right have you to pry into that? Which is why I don’t use a Title.
Then if you look at the application form you ask what the applicant’s gender is. That doesn’t tell you anything about the applicants natal sex (and why should it – any more than you should be able to ask if someone is intersex).
The document you linked for me clearly says you need to know gender (not sex) and makes no mention that Title is a significant piece of information affecting insurance decisions.
For the record, my gender is female (on my passport), I have no title. I guess you are still maintaining that makes me impossible to insure.
📯 Adrian (she/her)
Not sure if I expect a reply now…..
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Former Wallaby Bill Young calls last drinks at Friend in Hand pub
Announcement in SMH 4/5/22
Former Wallabies front rower Bill Young has sold popular Glebe watering hole the Friend in Hand hotel for an estimated price of $11 million to the private Momento Hospitality group as deals in the pub sector steam ahead.
It comes only two years after the Young family bought the pub in Sydney’s inner west back from long-term owners the Byrne family for about $10 million and undertook some renovations, only to get hit by the global COVID-19 pandemic which forced hospitality venues to shut down.
Bill Young bought the Glebe hotel before his family’s acquisition of the Illinois Hotel in Five Dock and the Royal Hotel in Ryde in Sydney last year. Tapping into the current pub deal frenzy, he chose to sell the Friend in Hand to focus on the two other pubs. The family had previously owned and operated the Friend in Hand during the 1980s and into the1990s.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by Adrian.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 8 months ago by
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Transgender advocates speak out against senator Claire Chandler’s proposal to “save” women’s sport
An article by April McLennan first published in the ABC News
Earlier this month, Tasmanian Liberal Senator Claire Chandler introduced her private member’s bill to the Senate to amend laws relating to sex discrimination in sport.
Senator Chandler said her “Save Women’s Sports” bill, would clarify that the operation of single-sex sport on the basis of biological sex was not discrimination.
She said she did not think it was safe to expect female players to compete against males.
“What my bill is seeking to do is just ensure that these sporting clubs can’t have legal action taken against them if they choose to offer single-sex sport for women and girls,” she said.
“Women and girls have had a right to access single-sex sport for generations now, that right was hard fought for and I’m just seeking to protect that.”Earlier this month, Tasmanian Liberal Senator Claire Chandler introduced her private member’s bill to the Senate to amend laws relating to sex discrimination in sport.
Senator Chandler said her “Save Women’s Sports” bill, would clarify that the operation of single-sex sport on the basis of biological sex was not discrimination.
She said she did not think it was safe to expect female players to compete against males.
“What my bill is seeking to do is just ensure that these sporting clubs can’t have legal action taken against them if they choose to offer single-sex sport for women and girls,” she said.
“Women and girls have had a right to access single-sex sport for generations now, that right was hard fought for and I’m just seeking to protect that.”
Former Tasmanian anti-discrimination commissioner Robin Banks said the bill was “a legislative solution to a non-existent problem.”
“[Senator Chandler] argued that it’s about supporting equality for girls and women in sport, the Sex Discrimination Act already permits that,” she said.
“This is not a good piece of legislation, it will have unintended consequences and discrimination laws should be about preventing discrimination, not promoting it.”
“Existing law and inclusive guidelines already give sporting codes and
clubs all the room they need to navigate what can be a tricky issue.” “Existing law and inclusive guidelines already give sporting codes and clubs all the room they need to navigate what can be a tricky issue.” -
Great evening Paula – thanks for organising!
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I guess my name journey has been well observed by long time members of Tgr (or Seahorse NSW).
Choosing a female name is a very important part of setting out on the journey to find your true gender. The trouble is I had to choose the name right at the start when applying to join Seahorse…and I didn’t know then what sort of girl I was. So Amanda was plucked out of the hat (same initials), and whilst many people know me as Amanda it never really felt like “me”.
As I traveled through genderland I found I could be comfortable presenting in an androgynous way – and I gradually lost the fixation on short skirts, heels, and ultra-feminine clothing. So Amanda had done its work – it was now a bit too feminine. Then I realised that my natal name – Adrian could describe who I found out I was.
So I’m very lucky (thanks Mum!). A few people in public assume I’m an Adriana, but that’s an easy mistake to make. My passport says I’m Adrian and female.. can’t think of a better outcome.
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A followup article by Dr Sandra Pertot
– a Clinical psychologist is supportive of the position taken by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Again worth a full read here:Dr Pertot writes:
Now I’m hopeful we can talk about teens and gender
In acknowledging there are “multiple perspectives and views” about the appropriate clinical approach towards children and teenagers seeking treatment for gender issues, the college offers a chance that Australian health professionals can have an evidence-based and client-centred conversation about the best way to treat and support young people experiencing symptoms of gender dysphoria or gender incongruence.
It’s an issue I have some first-hand experience with. Earlier this year I was the subject of a formal complaint – my first in 45 years of working as a clinical psychologist. The complaint was brought by a group of people from the transgender community who objected to views I expressed in a podcast for the Australian Psychological Society.
My views were based on my years of clinical education and practice: from the 1970s, I saw clients, until the last 10 years almost always natal male, presenting with gender dysphoria. For most of that time, access to treatment for transition had very strict criteria and was expensive, but the majority of those who did transition were happy with their new lives. In recent years some of my older gender non-conforming clients have finally had access to cross sex hormones and, for some, surgical transition. I felt privileged to be part of this process, which brought relief to them.
But from about 2014, I noticed an increase in natal female between 14 to 20 (so, past puberty), who reported experiencing gender dysphoria and expressed the desire to transition, often asking for support to begin cross-sex hormone therapy. While some described a long history of distress with their bodies, others had only come to the belief in recent months that they experienced gender dysphoria, after learning about it online. In some cases a parent attended a consultation and said this had taken them by surprise as there had been no indications that their child had any confusion about their gender identity.
My clinical training is to assess and treat each client as an individual, and it is not appropriate to have any preconceived beliefs about a diagnosis until a thorough assessment has been undertaken. I would never try to talk a client out of their beliefs, but I do try to give them permission to explore what pathway is right for them. It is a client-affirming approach. Unfortunately, this approach clashes with the gender-affirming approach that now dominates the socio-political discourse about transgender people, and many health services worldwide.
The article concludes:
In a recent legal decision in Britain, the right of people to express beliefs critical of the theories behind the gender-affirmative approach has been affirmed and anyone with those views is now protected from accusations of discrimination. We need this legal right in Australia.
Well worth a read!
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Big thanks to Paula for organising the party last night. The usual social crowd, heavy competition for the dance floor and a great band all made for a great night out.
Happy Xmas everybody!
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Thank you Marian for buying the book. I hope you enjoy the read.
The book sales have raised $125 for the Australian Queer Archives this year.
Hopefully we can raise that before June 30th with a few more sales! -
Nadia,
Thank you for your kind comments about the book. I certainly found writing down those experiences cathartic. Hopefully it will resonate with others in the way you suggest. I’m looking forward to hearing feedback from readers.
