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The Transgender Inquiry found that often trans people did not have the opportunity to have a say in decisions that affect their lives. Submissions are due soon on two documents relevant to trans people:
- Statistics NZ’s Review of Culture and Identity Statistics (by 14 August).
- Agender NZ’s and Transgender.co.nz’s second draft of its Trans Health Guide (by 31 July).
Agender NZ and Transgender.co.nz – second draft of a Trans Health Guide
These two trans community organisations welcome any comments on the second draft of their guide for health professionals and trans people. Comments can be sent to president@agender.org.nz by 31 July.
Statistics NZ’s Review of Culture and Identity Statistics
Statistics NZ is asking for comments on its Review of Culture and Identity Statistics. Section 4.3.2 of this review document discusses sexual orientation statistics and whether they should be a priority compared to other culture and identity statistics. It also talks about the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity.
Currently gender identity is not measured in official statistics. There was no clear view from trans people involved in the Transgender Inquiry about whether:
- they wanted data collected about gender identity or
- people should be able to identify as trans when asked for their sex data.
Instead, trans people who made Inquiry submissions were more likely to focus on:
- being able to correct previous sex details
- being assured that previous information will not be disclosed to others and
- whether asking sex (or gender identity questions) was always relevant.
This Statistics NZ review is an opportunity for trans people to say:
- whether or not they think it is important to measure people’s gender identity, and why.
- What difference would it make?
- What, if any, statistics about gender identity are needed to help make good policy decisions about trans people’s lives?
Sex is already measured in official statistics. Trans people may also wish to include comments in their submission about the current Statistical Standard for Sex which:
- has two options, male or female and
- states that “transsexuals should be classified to their original [biological] sex”
When other opportunities come up for trans people to have their say, they are are added to the Participation page of the Inquiry website.
In regard to the governments practice of recording transsexuals in their original birth sex, I would like to express my utter outrage. I see this as a personal affront and as culturally unacceptable. As a normally civic minded person I have to question my willingnes to ever again particpate in resonding to the Census Form. I am a “post-op” transsexxual”, and as such consider myself to be a female. My status as female has also been recognised as such by the Family Courts. To have a government offical insist on labeling me as male is, in my view, a form of rape.
I think it would be helpful for gender diverse people to be able to express their idendity in the census forms as this may be helpful in expediting a better delivery of specific services to trans people. The insistance on census officals in “reverting” trans people to their original sex will not help in achieving such a gaol.
Statistics New Zealand’s current review is a good opportunity to raise your concerns and also ask how this standard operates in practice.
The Commission was not aware of this standard during the Transgender Inquiry and so it was not discussed with Statistics NZ specifically then.
However the Inquiry’s final report does recommend that all government agencies consider ‘when it is necessary to gather sex data’ and ensure ‘categories for data collection reflect the diversity of trans people’.