• a trans human rights poster to be launched on Transgender Day of Remembrance
• FAQs for schools as part of the Commission’s new online fact sheets: Trans people: facts and information
• the latest international standards of care for the health of trans people (released on 25 September)
• the first New Zealand guidance for health professionals (released on 1 August)
• recent changes in Australia that improve trans and intersex people’s ability to change sex details on passports and birth certificates
• details of some Transgender Day of Remembrance events in New Zealand
• how to find out what is happening internationally on gender identity and sexual orientation human rights issues, including how to be involved.

• How can schools support trans students and their families?
• What name and pronoun should be put on a trans student’s school documentation?
• What uniform or dress code applies to trans students?
• Who needs to know that a trans student is enrolled at the school?
• What changing area should trans students use?
• If trans students want to play sport which team should they play for?

These are just some of the questions answered in Supporting trans students, one of the FAQs in the Commission’s new set of fact sheets Trans people: facts & information. These bright-coloured resources include images of people from around the world who attended the inaugural Pacific and Asia regional trans and intersex hui in March 2011.

The fact sheets talk about common human rights issues faced by whakawāhine, tangata ira tane, fa’afafine, fakaleiti, akava’ine, trans, gender queer and other gender diverse and gender questioning people. They include Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), links to community groups, resource lists and workshop outlines.

The full set or individual fact sheets can be downloaded here and include:

A. FAQ: Supporting trans students

B. FAQ: Transitioning at school

C. LINKS: Some trans groups and networks

D. LINKS: Trans youth

E. LINKS: Some trans-inclusive groups and networks

F. RESOURCES: Trans people and employment

G. RESOURCES: Health

H. RESOURCES: Terminology

I. RESOURCES: Trans children, youth and their families

J. WORKSHOP: Trans 101

K. WORKSHOP: Young and Trans

The 20th November 2011 is the 13^th International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). Two New Zealand commemorations are being held a week later on 29 November. They are a chance to remember Diksy Jones who was killed in Upper Hutt in 2009, aged 64. Diksy was a quiet, gentle, cabinet-maker who loved old cars, cricket and cats. TDOR also demonstrates the power and resilience of trans communities speaking out against violence, proudly being who they are.

In Auckland: GenderBridge has a community event at St Matthew-in-the-City at 7pm on Tuesday 29 November. The church is on the corner of Wellesley and Hobson Streets. BYO a plate of food to share.

In Hamilton: Agender Waikato, in conjunction with Hamilton Pride, are holding a Transgender Day of Rememberance at the Riff Raff statue Hamilton at 7pm, 20th November. Local politicians are invited to attend and those who attend usually give a short speech.

In Christchurch: the recently reopened Te Whare Puakitanga / Transition House will be holding a community meeting from 7-9pm on 29 November. Nau mai, haere mai koutou – everyone is welcome. Contact Cherise Witehira on (03) 372-9298 or agenderchch@clear.net.nz for the address.

The Human Rights Commission would really like to hear about any other Transgender Day of Remembrance events around New Zealand this year. Please send any details to juliew@hrc.co.nz.

The first Transgender Day of Remembrance candlelight vigil was held in San Francisco in 1999 to remember Rita Hester who was murdered on November 28th, 1998 simply because she was trans. It sparked the “Remembering Our Dead” web project to publicly mourn and honour the lives of those who might otherwise be forgotten. TDOR raises public awareness of violence and hate crimes against trans people, and provides an opportunity for non-trans people to stand alongside their trans friends, partners, children and parents. In New Zealand the Police Diversity Liaison Officers regular participate in these community events.

The Trans respect versus Transphobia (TvT) project monitors trans murders around the world. In the first nine months of 2011 alone, 116 murders of trans people from 23 countries had been registered with the project. Since January 2008, TvT has documented 681 reports of murdered trans people from 50 countries. Diksy Jones is remembered on that website and in this November 2009 article about TDOR.

In December 2010 two men were convicted of manslaughter for killing Diksy Jones, and jailed for 9.5 and 10 years respectively. Justice Robert Dobson in the High Court in Wellington said he gave the younger man the longer sentence because his part in the “brutal and tragic” attack constituted a hate crime. This was based on comments the man had made to police that he followed Diksy home “to beat up a transvestite”, that he “believed in Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve”, and thought Diksy did not deserve to live.

In July this year, three Court of Appeal judges ruled that the longer jail term be reduced to nine years, and the minimum non-parole period be cut from five to four years. The appeal court judges considered Justice Dobson “overstated the seriousness of the hate crime aspect of the homicide”.

On 20 November, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), the Human Rights Commission will release a poster affirming the human rights of trans people. Based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the poster says “trans people are born free and equal in dignity and rights”.

The poster is designed by Sam Orchard, a young trans man currently completing his Masters in creative writing at Auckland University of Technology (AUT).

“The Commission made it clear that it wanted a person on the poster. I was equally clear that I didn’t want just one image, as there’s not just one way to be trans or genderqueer”.

Sam enjoyed the design process, particularly the challenge of trying to come up with an image that was not stereotypical “because we look like everyone”.

The poster includes couples, families, people off to work and people just being themselves. They are set against a cityscape made up of a wide range of terms that trans people use to describe their gender identity.

“Just as we don’t all look the same nor do we use the same words to describe ourselves,” Sam said.

You can pre-order these A2 colour posters from the Commission for free, with no delivery cost, by emailing Ata on ataraitiw@hrc.co.nz.

Visit Roostertails Comic if you want to see more of Sam’s inspirational work including Queer 101 “a super, simple comic guide” to gender, sex and sexuality

Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) has published the first resource for New Zealand health professionals about working with trans people. It  is available as an online guide on the Ministry of Health’s website.

In the February 2011 To Be Who I Am email newsletter, the CMDHB project team called for submissions on the first draft of this good practice guide. The final document represents a considerable amount of work by the small CMDHB project team, its Reference Group and trans people and health professionals who made submissions.

The CMDHB project team has acknowledged and thanked everyone for the feedback received. They said “the final draft has included many, but not all, suggested changes made in submissions. This document is a first of its kind in New Zealand. It is primarily guidance for health professionals, and it is acknowledged that it provides a snapshot in a time of change”.

The guidance is based on the 2001 World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) standards of care. It specifically notes that “the WPATH standards are about to be revised. This guide attempts to apply those standards to local circumstances.”

On 25 September the 7^th version of the WPATH standards of care were launched. They include some significant changes, soothe CMDHB guidance should be read alongside this WPATH document.

The Ministry of Health has advised the Royal College of GPs about the CMDHB guide and will look at seeking funding for reviewing the document in 2 years time. The Human Rights Commission has given the Ministry a small list of suggested corrections picked up through final proof-reading. The Commission understands that any further substantive changes, including those that would update the document in line with the revised WPATH standards, would need to be part of the proposed 2013 review.

In late August, the Commission held a national video-conference so that trans members of the project’s Reference Group could report back to the wider community. Trans people attending were interested in continuing to work with health professionals and their professional bodies to improve access to quality healthcare for trans people. In September, the Commission and three local trans people presented a workshop at the Public Health Association conference at Lincoln University.

It has been ten years since the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) revised its standards of care (SOC). The latest version, released on 25 September 2011, explicitly states that “being transsexual, transgender or gender nonconforming is a matter of diversity, not pathology”.”This is a momentous occasion,” said WPATH Revision Committee Chair and University of Minnesota Professor, Eli Coleman, as he launched the new SOC.

“We’ve made a clear statement that gender nonconformity is not pathological . . . This is no longer about hormones and surgery — it’s about health in a holistic sense,” Coleman said.

Christine Burns, one of the trans community representatives on WPATH’s International Advisory Committee summed up the significant progress made over the last decade. “The previous versions of the SOC were always perceived to be about the things that a trans person must do to satisfy clinicians, this version is much more clearly about every aspect of what clinicians ought to do in order to properly serve their clients. That is a truly radical reversal . . . one that serves both parties very well.”

WPATH recognises that many trans people live comfortable lives without having to seek therapy or medical interventions. Its clinical guidelines are about meeting the health care needs of those trans people who do seek medical support because their gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth.

The 2011 SOC acknowledge that these “are first and foremost the client’s decisions – as are all decisions regarding healthcare. However mental health professionals have a responsibility to encourage, guide and assist clients with making fully informed decisions and becoming adequately prepared”.

In this interview Walter Bockting, the outgoing WPATH president, said the latest standards of care represent a significant departure from the past. “Some of the changes we’ve made really incorporate the latest science,” Bockting said. “Research in this area is really increasing so . . . our standards of care are more evidence based.”

“Oftentimes the standards of care were perceived as a barrier even though they were meant as access to care for hormone therapy and surgery,” he said before going on to identify some key revisions in the new SOC. One major change is, that the standards “allow for a broader spectrum of identities – they are no longer so binary.” For the first time the standards consider the health needs of people who are gender queer.

“The new standards showcase the important role [transsexual,transgender, and gender nonconforming people] have played in changing the landscape of transgender health in the U.S.,” Bockting added.

Trans people are increasingly involved in WPATH itself and in local and national projects such as that coordinated by CMDHB in New Zealand. Aucklander Jaimie Veale is chair of GenderBridge and has attended the last two WPATH symposia. She was in Atlanta for the launch of the SOC, presenting a paper about her PhD research.

“I’m pleased to see that WPATH have moved away from using pathologising language and having rigid steps that trans people need to take in order to convince health professionals to grant them access to treatment. These revised standards enable trans people to access medical procedures and focus on informed consent. I look forward to seeing these standards implemented in New Zealand”.

 Dr Janet Say from the Auckland Sexual Health Service was one of the New Zealand health professionals at the WPATH conference.

“Attending the WPATH meeting with its launch of the new SOC document was a major education for me as a physician, realising the comparatively small but sometimes essential role we provide to transgender people. I realise that advocacy locally and internationally from health professionals, with the community defining their needs, is imperative. Destigmatisation and depathologisation is what we all have to work towards.”

In October 2011 the New Zealand Sexual Health Society held a Transgender update session lead by Dr John Newman and his team who provide health services for trans youth. Last week Dr Say attended the International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) World Congress in New Delhi. Her talk “Improving the quality of life for transgender people: the role of Sexual Health clinics” included an update about WPATH and the new SOC.

If health professionals, trans people and community groups around the country are interested in holding a discussion about the new WPATH standards, the Human Rights Commission is happy to host this using its video-conference facilities in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. This session would need to be held during office hours. Those interested should contact Jack Byrne on jackb@hrc.co.nz

On 28 September the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on the World Health Organisation (WHO) to remove gender identity disorders from its International Classification of Diseases (ICD). The resolution suggests that, instead, the WHO should develop a “non-pathologising reclassification” as part of its current review that aims to produce a revised ICD in 2015.

This was another step in what Global Action for Trans* Equality (GATE) has described as “a historical moment for trans* movements worldwide”. GATE is coordinating an international experts’ meeting to develop a proposal to be submitted to the WHO before the end of 2011. This meeting will be held in The Hague and has both government and community support, from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands and the Transgender Netwerk Nederland respectively.

The proposal to the WHO will focus on:

• removing all references that define trans people or gender diversity as ‘disorders’ while
• giving trans people access to medical procedures and
• ensuring trans people are able to obtain legal recognition of their gender identity.

If people have questions, comments or suggestions, and/or want to submit information to be included in the proposal to the WHO, they can contact GATE at icd@transactivists.org.

In New Zealand, GenderBridge has started an online Facebook campaign Being Trans is Not an Illness. It was launched on 22 October, International Day of Action for Trans* Depathologization alongside demonstrations and actions in 70 cities of 32 countries around the world.

In this recent article Genderbridge Chair Jaimie Veale explained why she thinks it is important for people in New Zealand to support this international campaign:

“In Aotearoa and across the Pacific there is a proud history of gender diversity. Whakawāhine, tangata ira tane, fa’afafine, leiti and trans people should be treated with dignity and respect – not labelled as having a ‘gender identity disorder’. Trans people who physically transition require certain health services. It is time to stop labelling gender diversity as an illness, and start treating trans people as equal human beings, with some specific health needs.”

GenderBridge are keen to work with other trans organisations, community groups and health professionals to provide input into the GATE proposal. More information can be found on the Genderbridge website or people can contact GenderBridge on info@genderbridge.org.

A 6 October 2011 decision by the High Court of Australia allows trans people in Western Australia to alter their identity documents without first having major surgery. The decision is in line with the findings of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2009 Sex Files Report which recommended that surgery should not be required before a trans person could legally change their sex.

The High Court upheld the appeal of two trans men who challenged the interpretation of the West Australian Gender Reassignment Act (WAGRA) 2001. It overturned a Court of Appeal decision that chest reconstruction surgery and hormone treatment were not enough for a trans man to be recognised as male under Western Australian law. The WAGRA requires a trans man to have the “physical characteristics by virtue of which a person is identified” as male.

Aram Hosie, spokesperson for the WA Gender Project said “Previously transsexual people in Western Australia, as in other parts of the country, have been unable to legally amend their sex without invasive, medically unnecessary surgeries that may be unwanted, impractical or unattainable. This has resulted in difficulties in proving one’s identity on essential documentation, a loss of privacy, and the risk of exposure to discrimination, harassment and sometimes even violence.”

Sally Goldner, spokesperson for TransGender Victoria said “The High Court ruled that the law should be applied in a beneficial way that makes life easier, not harder for people, and therefore that there was no justification for requiring people to have costly and unnecessary surgeries in order to have their sex recognised.”

“The High Court’s decision will now make it much easier for transsexual people in Western Australia to obtain documentation that accurately reflects their identity and physical appearance. In turn, this will further help those same people to more easily obtain discrimination protection under West Australian law.”

Peter Hyndal, spokesperson for A Gender Agenda said he hoped that the decision would “set a precedent about the way that laws governing the recognition of sex in Australian should operate, and so help make life easier for transsexual men and women in Western Australia and the rest of the country.”

“To this end, we call on other State and Territory Governments around Australia to reflect the High Court’s decision in their interpretation and administration of the law and to act on the recommendations of the Australian Human Rights Commission Sex Files report” Hyndal added.

Trans and intersex people in Australia can now change the sex details on their passport to female (F), male (M) or indeterminate / unspecified / intersex (X). Sex reassignment surgery is not required. A letter from a doctor confirming the trans or intersex person’s gender identity can be supplied instead.

Under these new federal guidelines trans and intersex people can change sex details on their passport without amending their birth or citizenship certificate.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Attorney-General Robert McClelland announced these new guidelines on 14 September.

“This amendment makes life easier and significantly reduces the administrative burden for sex and gender diverse people who want a passport that reflects their gender and physical appearance,” said Mr Rudd.

The initiative is in line with the Australian Government’s commitment to remove discrimination on the grounds of gender identity and sexual orientation.

“Most people take for granted the ability to travel freely and without fear of discrimination,” Mr McClelland said. “This measure will extend the same freedoms to sex and gender diverse Australians.

“Importantly, this policy addresses a number of the recommendations contained in the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Sex Files report.”

Trans and intersex organisations worked closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to review the existing policy.

Until now passports could only be issued in the same sex as that shown on a person’s birth certificate. This was a major barrier for many trans and intersex people who, for financial, medical and other reasons, were unable to meet the legal threshold for changing sex details on their original birth certificate.

Peter Hyndal, spokesperson for A Gender Australia (AGA), described the very real safety issues for trans and intersex people travelling overseas under the previous policy.

“We are aware of specific instances where individuals have been detained in international airports, or denied visas because the sex on their passport did not match their presentation and identity.

“This is, in my view, the single most important piece of trans/intersex law reform that I have ever seen in Australia in my lifetime.”

Read or listen to this ABC Law Report about legal recognition issues for trans and intersex people in Australia.

This year there have been “massive steps” taken internationally to recognise sexual orientation and gender identity human rights, according to ARC International. Their co-founder, New Zealander John Fisher, attended the Wellington Outgames human rights conference in March. Read ARC’s e-bulletin to find out what is happening internationally on these human rights issues and how you can be involved.

People who attended the Outgames human rights conference may remember John Fisher’s daily count of countries that had signed the joint statement to the UN Human Rights Council. The statement’s title and purpose was “ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity”.

The final vote was just a few days later, on 22 March. A total of 85 countries signed the joint statement. Across the Pacific these included New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Timor-Leste.

Less than three months later, on 17 June, those countries who are members of the Human Rights Council passed the first UN resolution on sexual orientation and gender identity. Other countries who are not members of the Human Rights Council could co-sponsor the resolution. In the Pacific these included New Zealand, Australia and Timor-Leste.

This is how Justus Eisfeld, Co-Director of Global Action for Trans* Equality, described the importance of the UN resolution.

“That we are celebrating the passage of a UN resolution about human rights violations on the basis of sexual orientation is remarkable, however the fact that gender identity is explicitly named truly makes this pivotal moment one to rejoice in. The Human Rights Council has taken a step forward in history by acknowledging that both sexual and gender non-conformity make lesbian, gay, trans* and bi people among those most vulnerable and indicated decisively that states have an obligation to protect us from violence.”

Read more about the Human Rights Commission’s work on sexual orientation and gender identity on our website. This year it included support for the Outgames human rights conference and the regional trans and intersex hui held the day before. The Commission’s presentations and photographs and interviews with many of the conference participants are available on the Outgames legacy website.

The project team from Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) have just released their draft good practice guide for health professionals working with trans people. Gender Reassignment Health Services for Trans People within New Zealand is now open for public consultation.

The project team are inviting people to give feedback on this draft guide by Monday 21 February. You can email any comments to healthinfo@middlemore.co.nz or fax them to (09) 261 2273.

Read the revised Draft Gender Reassignment Health Services for Trans People within NZ Guide including appendices [PDF] or a Word version without the appendices.

The documents will shortly be on the health page of the Action on the Transgender Inquiry website and on Counties Manukau DHB’s website.

Trans people from other parts of the country will be able to phone into the videoconference free of charge. This is a new system so people need to contact Jack Byrne to get instructions about how to join the call. Please RSVP to jackb@hrc.co.nz by  Friday 11 February if you are coming or want to phone in to the discussion.

If possible please try to read the draft guide before you come, particularly the first 32 pages. This meeting is a chance to:

• talk with the five trans reps on the project’s Reference Group
• suggest any changes that would make the guide as useful as possible for health professionals and trans people
• share ideas about ways to encourage health professionals who work with trans people to make submissions on the draft.

Anyone interested in discussing being included can contact CMDHB on healthinfo@middlemore.co.nz.

Come and meet your trans and intersex whānau / family from the Pacific, Australia, Asia and beyond. Local trans and intersex activists are hosting a regional gathering 15 March, the day before the Outgames human rights conference.

This regional hui/gathering is a chance for trans and intersex activists and those who support them to:

• share the work they are doing to improve human rights in their own countries
• learn the terms used to describe gender diversity across this region, in many languages
• develop a stronger regional network that reflects that diversity
• identify the challenges trans and intersex communities face, and the support they can give each other
• build trust, get to know each other and have fun!

There is no registration cost for the hui. However people need to fund their travel to Wellington and accommodation. Download the  Regional Hui poster [PDF 476KB] and Regional Hui information sheet and registration [Word 263 KB]. Please pass them on other trans and intersex people, particularly people who will be in Wellington for the 2^nd Asia Pacific Outgames.

After the hui, Wellington organisation Tapatoru are hosting a BBQ from 8-10pm at Thorndon Pool.

Trans and intersex people at the regional hui will have an opportunity to report-back to the  Outgames human rights conference which runs from Wednesday 16 – Friday 18 March. Many of the trans and intersex participants are giving presentations, running workshops or are members of panels during the 3 day conference.

Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) is just completing its draft resource for health professionals working with trans people. As soon as it is available, the draft resource will be circulated as a special edition of this email newsletter. Your comments will be needed to make this resource as useful as possible for health professionals and the trans people they support.

A video-conference has been set up on Monday 14 February to get community feedback on the draft. Psychologist Daniel Eakins and counsellor Mani Mitchell are also organising a Wellington meeting in February for health professionals to discuss this resource.

Meeting and Video-conference

Health professionals wanting to attend the Wellington meeting can contact Mani Mitchell on mani.mitchell@xtra.co.nz.

Trans people are invited to join a community video-conference to discuss the draft resource. This will be held in the Human Rights Commission’s Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch offices from 3 – 5pm on Monday 14 February. The Commission can also phone in people from Dunedin and up to three more places. Please RSVP to jackb@hrc.co.nz by Friday 11 February if you are coming or want to be phoned in.

This is a chance to:

• talk with the five trans reps on the project’s Reference Group
• suggest any changes that would make the guide as useful as possible for health professionals and trans people
• share ideas about ways to encourage health professionals who work with trans people to make submissions on the draft.

There is more background information about the project on the Inquiry website including:

• notes from the November Trans Health Hui held at Papatuanuku Kokiri marae in Mangere on Saturday 27 November and attended by over forty people. These have been sent to the CMDHB project team and health professionals on the project’s Reference Group
• minutes from  the three Reference Group meetings in June, August and October 2010
• community feedback presented by the five trans reps to the August and October meetings.

One case study in the Activists’ Guide to the Yogyakarta Principles focuses on the work of Transgender Network Netherlands. They are using the Yogyakarta Principles to challenge the legal requirement that trans people must have undergone sex reassignment surgery in order to change their sex / gender details.  The Netherlands is one of a number of countries where trans people are pushing for similar law changes.

 In Germany, in a decision released on 28 January 2011, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled that the requirement to undergo sterilisation or gender-confirming surgery before gaining legal gender recognition is not constitutional. Requiring such surgeries, in order to change one’s sex details, is incompatible with the right to sexual self-determination, physical integrity and privacy. This is likely to have implications across Europe. Many other countries have similar legal requirements and Transgender Europe reports that both the Council of Europe and the Committee of Ministers have indicated these should be reviewed. Read more.

 In New Zealand, a June 2008 Family Court decision found that full gender reassignment surgeries are not always required before someone is able to obtain a Family Court declaration changing their sex details. The Transgender Inquiry recommended that the ‘physical conformation’ test in the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Act 1995 should be amended, to clarify that such surgeries are not essential. The Inquiry proposed an alternative legal threshold whereby a trans woman would need to show she “has taken decisive steps to live fully and permanently” as a woman, and vice versa for a trans man. This recommendation is yet to be implemented.

Do you want to know what is happening internationally to improve human rights for trans people? How are people using the Yogyakarta Principles to make a real difference in their communities? Here are links to online resources explaining how the Yogyakarta Principles are being used successfully around the world.

In December the Activists’ Guide to the Yogyakarta Principles [HTML or PDF ] was launched, alongside a website which tracks how the Yogyakarta Principles are being used internationally.

The Activists’ Guide is a toolkit to increase people’s understanding of the Yogyakarta Principles and the international human rights law on which they are based. It includes successful case studies about the work of trans groups around the world, and profiles the Transgender Inquiry.

In January ARC International launched its E-Bulletin [PDF 2.72MB]. It provides a quarterly update on international developments around gender identity and sexual orientation human rights. This and other cutting-edge human rights information, including videos, can be found on the ARC International website.

ARC co-founder John Fisher will be one of the speakers at a Yogyakarta Principles Forum being organised by the Human Rights Commission on the opening day of the 2^nd Asia Pacific Outgames human rights conference.

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has spoken out against human rights violations based on gender identity or sexual orientation twice in recent months. This progress has come about in part because of the powerful statements made by trans, intersex, lesbian, gay and bisexual activists on panels held at the United Nations. Watch this moving speech by transpinay activist Sass Rogando Sasot from the Philippines on Human Rights Day 2009.

In a panel on Human Rights Day (10 December) 2010  Ban Ki-moon said:

“The responsibilities of the United Nations and the obligations of States are clear. No-one, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. No-one should be prosecuted for their ideas or beliefs. No-one should be punished for exercising their right to freedom of expression.”
Read full statement [PDF]

Then on 26 January 2011, in a special sitting of the UN Human Rights Council, Ban Ki-moon gave a strong statement calling for an end to such human rights violations. This is the first time in the history of the United Nations that a Secretary-General has directly addressed an official UN body specifically on these issues.

The Secretary General dedicated substantial attention to the issues in his address, concluding:

“When our fellow humans are persecuted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, we must speak out. That is what I am doing here, that is my consistent position. Human rights are human rights everywhere, for everyone.”

The Transgender Inquiry’s final report was released two years ago. What progress has been made since then and what further changes are necessary? These questions are asked in the sexual and gender minorities’ chapter in Human Rights in New Zealand 2010. It concludes that there needs to be a continued focus on legal recognition, the rights to education and health, and explicit protection for trans people under the Human Rights Act.

 On International Human Rights Day (10 December), the Human Rights Commission launched Human Rights in New Zealand 2010. This report card identifies where New Zealand does well, and where it could do better across the full spectrum of human rights. It lists these four recommendations from the Transgender Inquiry as top priorities for improving the human rights of trans people:

• amending the Human Rights Act to explicitly state that discrimination on the grounds of gender identity is prohibited by the ground of sex
• amending the physical conformation threshold in section 28 of the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Act 1995
• sharing best practice so that trans students’ right to education is fully protected
• building on the Counties Manukau District Health Board project to develop standards of care and treatment pathways for trans people wishing to transition physically.

 The Commission is very grateful for the large number of comments received on a draft version of this chapter. Many were incorporated into the final version.

Other highlighted concerns include:

• violence against trans people including bullying and harassment in schools
• the need to raise these human rights issues in all New Zealand country reports to the United Nations.

 In addition, the chapter summarises suggestions raised in two roundtables looking at the human rights of intersex people. It concludes there is a need to:

• build understanding about the specific human rights issues faced by intersex people
• use a human rights-based framework to develop best practice for meeting the health needs of intersex people, with a particular focus on infants with intersex medical conditions.

 Read the full Rights of sexual and gender minorities chapter  [PDF) or a summary on pages 81–86  of this Summary Report.

The Commission has selected 30 priority areas from over 100 identified by the research and public consultation process undertaken in preparing Human Rights in New Zealand 2010. Further action in these areas is essential over the next five years.

The priority area for action for sexual and gender minorities is:

• Legal Equality: Completing the legislative steps required for formal legal equality, including rights to found and form a family regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Counties Manukau DHB is about to release its draft guidance for health professionals working with trans people. Inside this issue you will find details about a trans community video-conference and a Wellington meeting organised by local health professionals to discuss this draft resource. Plus find out how to register for the Pacific and Asia regional trans and intersex hui being held in Wellington on 15 March, the day before the Outgames human rights conference.

Other articles profile:

• human rights issues for trans people identified in Human Rights in New Zealand 2010  and
• new websites and toolkits to keep you informed about exciting international human rights developments for trans people.

 Enjoy!

Register for the Outgames human rights conference before Monday 7 February, to save $25 on the Outgames participation fee. Other important dates are listed below including Friday 18 February, the deadline for applying for a SS4Q youth scholarship to the conference.Put these dates in your diary:

Joe

“I get annoyed when people say I’m coping or I’m struggling with depression. I just say I have depression – shit happens…”

A wonderful digital story of a trans guy was released at the end of September, as part of a collection of “Rainbow Touchstones”. Joe is one of six people interviewed for this series of online video stories looking at mental health experiences from within LGBT communities in Aotearoa/NZ.

Joe’s words and images are inspiring.

“I think a lot of people are quite prone to offering advice but I think deep down most people know what they need to be happy. It takes a pretty strong person to actually do it but it’s worth it – it’s about being true to yourself.

Sometimes I wakeup and say “god, being true to myself really sucks today”. Y’know – being queer and trans – sometimes it’s quite hard just being me. But I just want the person in the mirror to be a decent reflection of the person I am on the inside.

Definitely I have off days and I can’t be bothered and I just wish I was normal. But my good days – which are most days – are really good and I’m a lot happier and confident in being who I am.”

In a separate interview, Joe talks about the South Island trans youth group Forge and his own transition. His advice to others is “Just be who you are, stick with the people who care about you, and give people time”. You can download transcripts of both interviews from the PrideNZ.com website.

NZ Mental Health Media Grant recipient, Gareth Watkins, helped facilitate six community members to tell their own stories. “We interweave personal narrative, images and creative writing to form a unique five-minute video that reflects a person’s individual journey…I am so appreciative of the honesty and frankness of the participants. To share such personal journeys shows a strength and generosity of spirit that is very humbling.”

The six stories can be shared online and are also available from Gareth (gareth@gwcreative.co.nz) as a DVD resource.

People with experience of mental illness are protected from unlawful discrimination under the ground of disability in the Human Rights Act. This month the Commission launched Making Complaints – A Guide for Mental Health Service Users.

Papatuanuku Marae

Nau mai, piki mai, kake mai, haere mai ki tēnei hui nui whakaharahara. Mauria mai ō kōrero, ō whakaaro hoki. He wā anō hei maumahara i a rātou kua para i te huarahi, kua huri ki tua o te arai ki Paerau. Mauriora!

What information do GPs, counsellors and other health professionals need to:

• understand what it means to be whakawahine, tangata ira tane, fa’afafine, akava’ine, fakaleiti or trans
• support someone who wants counselling, hormones and/or surgery etc as part of their transition
• help improve the health and wellbeing of our trans communities?

The Human Rights Commission and the five trans reps have organised this Auckland hui to hear about the experiences of Māori and Pacific people who try to get medical support to transition. We need your ideas and stories to help Counties Manukau DHB (CMDHB) develop a national resource for GPs, counsellors and other health professionals that will make a difference for you and your communities.

• Date:      Saturday November 27
• Time:     1 – 5pm (NB: be waiting outside to go on by 12.45pm)·
• Venue:   Papatuanuku Marae 141 Robertson Rd, Mangere, Auckland

The Human Rights Commission’s Kaiwhakarite Paula and Hemi Pirihi will take us all on to the marae. The Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan will join us for a simple ceremony at the start of the hui to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is held in hundreds of places around the world so we do not forget trans people who have been killed due to hatred or violence. In Aotearoa / NZ, this day has also been a time to remember how discrimination and prejudice affect our wellbeing and health. Too many from our communities have died young. It is also a time to celebrate those who have paved the way for our communities today. Please bring along photos of people you wish to remember.

This simple ceremony will be followed by afternoon tea. Some people may need to leave then. However, everyone is very welcome to stay for the rest of the hui.

RSVP: If you would like to attend either or both events please contact Julie on 09 3062651 or email juliew@hrc.co.nz for catering purposes.

Shannon Anahera White is the new whakawahine rep on the Reference Group for the national Gender Reassignment Health Services for Trans people project.

Shannon describes herself as “an M2F transsexual, working with our Kaumatua Kuia/Elderly. I am honoured and privileged to be on board working for the wellbeing and safety of our transsexual community.” Shannon is playing a leading role in helping to organise the Tamaki Makaurau/Auckland trans health hui on 27 November.

In the July 2010 issue of the To Be Who I Am e-newsletter the Commission introduced the two trans women and two trans men selected to be on the Reference Group for this national project being led by CMDHB. At the August Reference Group meeting the CMDHB project team agreed to add a fifth trans rep to represent whakawāhine. Mani Bruce Mitchell has also been added as the representative of the NZ Association of Counsellors.

The full five trans reps on the Reference Group are now:

• Shannon White, Auckland
• Amie Clisby, Wellington
• Cathy Parker, Auckland
• Joey MacDonald, Dunedin
• Max Lawson, Auckland.

The five reps have been collecting comments from the wider community on their Facebook page, by email, at community video-conferences and by talking with people. Read the comments they presented to the August meeting (PDF), and then updated for the October meeting (PDF).

The next community video-conference will be a chance to discuss the draft “tool-kit’ or guidance the project is preparing for GPs, counsellors and other health professionals. We don’t know yet when this will be publically available for people to make comments. As soon as that date is confirmed it will be put on the trans reps’ Facebook page, the health page of the Transgender Inquiry website and on the Healthpoint page for this project.

Research findings will help develop polices and services to promote mental health and wellbeing for our communities.

If you want to make sure trans voices are heard go to www.shore.ac.nz/glbti.html.

For more information please contact; Jeff Adams on j.b.adams@massey.ac.nz or (09) 366 6136.

Many thanks to all of you who put in Expressions of Interest (EOIs) offering a workshop, panel presentation or paper for the 2^nd AsiaPacific Games Human Rights Conference. The organisers have been overwhelmed by the response from trans communities and individuals from afar and within New Zealand. They are aiming to contact everyone who put in an EOI before the end of October.

The end of October is also the deadline for cheaper ($59) early-bird registrations for the Outgames. Anyone going to the human rights conference needs to pay this registration fee. It helps fund things that everyone attends, like the opening and closing ceremonies. Read more details on the OutGames website. The deadline for the cheaper conference registrations is the end of November.

We know that it will be an expensive time for those who want to attend but it will be amazing if there is a big and vibrant trans presence for all three days (16 – 18 March), well four if you count the hui.

On Tuesday 15 March, the day before the conference opens, a group of trans activists are planning to organise a one day hui. It is a chance to welcome an amazing group of trans people from Asia, the Pacific, Australia, Latin America, Europe and the USA who are working hard to get funding to come to the hui. Together we will be taking a historic step towards building an Asia Pacific trans human rights movement.

Your community needs you!

Volunteers are really needed to help organise the one day hui. This needs to be an event that is created by trans people for each other. There is no central organising group or budget! But we promise you will be fed!

The HRC is offering it’s Wellington office boardroom as a back up venue if we don’t find a larger community space. The Commission’s Kaiwhakarite will help us welcome visitors from overseas and across Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Every small task will help make the hui and three day conference unforgettable. The one thing you volunteer to do might make the difference between someone else being able to attend or not.

Can you help by:

• fundraising in your area to help people get to Wellington
• offering someone else a lift to Wellington
• offering to billet trans people coming from outside Wellington
• being the person who collects the names of people coming to the hui
• being a contact person for people offering to billet trans people in Wellington?

A group of people in Auckland are thinking of meeting to brainstorm fundraising opportunities. Perhaps there are groups in other areas who could do the same?

If you would like to be a volunteer to help with the trans hui on Tuesday 15 March please contact Jack on aotearoa_jack@hotmail.com.

In this update, there’s information about Tāmaki Makaurau Trans Health Hui on the  27 November which is being run in conjunction with the Transgender Day of Remembrance. It’s open to anyone who wants to come, but unfortunately there is no funding to pay travel costs.

There’s more about the Outgames and do remember last days for early bird registration. We also write to remind you that everyone’s input will be needed on the NATIONAL resource that is coming out of the CMDHB project, an email will be sent to everyone on the newsletter database telling them when the draft resource is out for public comment. The best ways to keep updated about the project are to look on the trans reps’ Facebook page and the health page of the HRC website (for live links read the article).

And finally, a wonderful digital story of a trans guy. Joe is one of six people interviewed for a series of online video stories looking at mental health experiences from within LGBT communities in Aotearoa/NZ.

Enjoy!

Strength in Diversity is the theme for next year’s Asia Pacific Outgames human rights conference. It is a chance to celebrate the human rights of all sexual and gender minorities, including whakawāhine, tangata ira tane, fa’afafine, fakaleiti, akava’ine, transsexual, transgender and gender queer people.

A group of trans people from around the country met over the phone on 21 July and discussed how to make the conference empowering for trans communities. This small group of volunteers ranged in age from their 20s through to their 70s. They have a lot of ideas and are looking for other volunteers to help.

Conference streams

The conference will be held in Wellington from 16-18 March 2011. Check the website for full details and to download the stunning conference brochure.

This is a chance for trans voices to be heard – the challenges and the successes. There are six conference streams, looking at how human rights affect every part of a person’s life:

• Our stories from the Past / O tātou kōrero o mua; he taonga
• Work / Mahi
• Learning / Te Akoako
• Well-being (mind and body) / Te oranga hinengaro me te tinana
• Law and our Rights / Te ture me to tatou mana
• Spirit / Te taha wairua o te ora

The trans volunteers want to use the conference to showcase the diversity of their communities and build links across generations, cultures and identities. They will be asking people to share their stories and photos, and hope to be able to record some digital stories to create a legacy for the future. They need more volunteers to make this happen.

Offering a workshop, paper etc for the conference

Look on the Outgames website for more details about the conference’s Purpose, Format, and Partners – and How to Register. The deadline for cheaper, early-bird registrations is 30 November. Early-bird registrations to enter the sports competitions close on 31 October.

The Conference Organising Group is keen to have proposals from whakawāhine, fa’afafine, trans and intersex people, including indigenous people, youth and older people within these communities.

If you want to offer a workshop, paper, snapshot or panel discussion for any of the conference streams, read the Expressions of Interest information and fill out the form at the bottom of that page. The deadline for expressions of interest is Thursday 30 September.

If you want to work with the group of trans volunteers who are putting together some proposals, contact Julie Watson on juliew@hrc.co,.nz. Let her know if you are interested in a specific conference theme (such as health) so Julie can pass your name on to trans volunteer who is writing that expression of interest.

Human Rights Commission Forum

The Human Rights Commission is supporting the conference and will be running a forum on the Yogyakarta Principles – a universal guide to sexual orientation and gender identity human rights.

If you want to come to that forum:

• register for the conference and then
• contact Naomi Taylor (naomit@hrc.co.nz) saying you are interested in the Yogyakarta Principles forum.

This is a unique opportunity to meet people working in human rights and sexual orientation and gender identity in the Asia Pacific region. Come along and take part! We hope to see you there.

Outgames Conference registration scholarships

There are a limited number of registration scholarships available for people wanting to come to the conference. Scholarships cover the full conference registration fee. Applications are particularly encouraged from young people and those living in the Pacific and Asia. Applications for conference scholarships close on 30 November 2010

Unfortunately, there is no funding available for travel or accommodation, but the conference organisers may be able to find local people willing to host people during the three-day conference. Contact the conference convener for further information.

The trans volunteers are also keen to share ideas about fundraising so that trans people who want to help with the conference can afford to be there.

Award-winning filmmaker Kirsty MacDonald’s new website gives people access to six flim clip extracts from her film Assume Nothing.

The 30 minutes of footage is a powerful educational resource, celebrating gender and cultural diversity in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Assume Nothing has been picked up for educational distribution in the USA and Australia and by broadcasters in Israel, Russia and Finland.

Since its world premier in Auckland in March 2009 and NZ tour with Rebecca Swan’s photographs in the Assume Nothing Exhibition the feature film has screened at 22 major film festivals in 10 countries. Further screenings are planned this year. Copies of the film are available through the Girl on a Bike Films website.

Podcasts

The PrideNZ website includes hann ho’s audio interviews/podcasts with trans and intersex people. Current interviews by hann include:

• 17 year old MtF Kira
• FtMs Peri Te Wao and Ryan Kennedy
• intersex activist Mani Bruce.Mitchell

There are now opportunities to provide comments on:

• the Outgames participation policy for trans and intersex sportspeople
• a draft Commission chapter on human rights in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity

Review of Human Rights in New Zealand 2010

What are the most pressing issues faced by trans, intersex and queer people in Aotearoa/New Zealand today?

In mid August, the Commission is asking for comments on the sexual orientation and gender identity chapter in our Review of Human Rights 2010.

In 2004, the Commission first published Human Rights in New Zealand Today. It formed the basis for the New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights 2005-2010 – Mana ki te Tangata. The Action Plan has led the direction of the Commission’s work as a guardian of and advocate for human rights. It was also the Commission document that identified the need for a Transgender Inquiry.

This year we are asking what has happened since 2004 – where New Zealand has done well and where we might do better? The Commission is writing draft chapters about key human rights issues in New Zealand. One of these is on discrimination and human rights issues based on someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This chapter will include an assessment of progress made implementing the Transgender Inquiry’s recommendations and emerging priorities.

This draft chapter will be circulated through the Inquiry newsletter database and be put on the Commission’s Review of Human Rights in NZ 2010 web page.

Participating in the Outgames as a trans or intersex sportsperson

The Transgender Inquiry identified barriers trans people face when trying to play in men’s only or women’s only sporting competitions. This can also be an issue for intersex people.

The Asia Pacific Outgames approached the Human Rights Commission for help to draft a participation policy that is inclusive of the culturally and gender diverse sports people in this region. It also needed to take into account specific instances where, for example, a trans woman may have a competitive advantage over other women. The overall aim was to protect the dignity, equality and security of all participants.

The participation policy is now on the Outgames website. The conference organisers are interested in any comments from trans and intersex people. These can be sent to the Outgames organsiers via the contact form on the website.

Changes to Sex Classification Standard for trans and intersex people

The July 2009 To Be Who I Am e-newsletter invited submissions to Statistics New Zealand’s Review of Culture and Identity Statistics. It was an opportunity to discuss two separate issues: whether or not it would be useful to start collecting data about people’s general identity, and what did trans think about the current Sex Classification Standard (which stated when a trans person was asked for their sex details they should give their biological sex).

Statistics NZ took notice of submissions and comments from trans people, the Commission and government agencies. They proposed changing the Sex Classification Standard and asked people who had made previous submissions for their comments. Download the Human Rights Commission’s submission on the draft Statistical Standard for Sex.

The revised standard includes most of the Commission’s comments. Other issues will be considered by Statistics NZ when they next undertake a major review of sex data collection.

They also encouraged people to come to New Zealand for the Outgames human rights conference in March. Already trans people in India and Australia have offered to help with some of those trans workshops.

If you want to hear more about the Barcelona Congress, the three New Zealand delegates will be speaking at Genderbridge’s August meeting on 10 August, from 7.30 – 9pm. This month’s meeting is being hosted at the Human Rights Commission’s Auckland office. Contact Genderbridge for more details.

This issue advertises lots of ways to get involved in projects that have the potential to make a real difference for trans people. They need your support.

It is also time to start training for the Asia Pacific Outgames, even if it is just so you can run between all the amazing workshops at the human rights conference.

Read about:

• a new Department of Internal Affiars website page for trans people
• why plastic surgeon Chris McEwan is excited about the national trans health project being led by CMDHB
• how to share your ideas with the project’s four trans reps – on their Facebook page or in a video-conference this Monday afternoon 2 August
• the 30 September deadline for suggesting trans workshops and presentations for the Asia Pacific Outgames human rights conference
• the Outgames participation policy for trans and intersex sportspeople – do you think it can be improved?
• new online trans film clips and podcasts.

“I think this project is essential. It is the best attempt to create something that is relevant to New Zealand, created in New Zealand and with input from trans communities,” says Mr McEwan.

“Almost universally my patients’ dealings with health professionals have been fraught with difficulties. This is true in the field of surgery but also seems to apply to endocrinological and psychological support too. We are expected to bring good quality medicine and surgery in support of the trans journey. This project is the best way I can see that happening.”

Mr McEwan’s work with trans people has included his focus group research to help plastic surgeons prioritise access to medically necessary appearance-related surgery. For trans people, those surgeries may include breast augmentation and chest reconstruction. “The willingness of trans people to get involved in the focus group and the tolerance they showed to questions from non-trans people was impressive.”

This prioritisation project is still under way and should help trans people get equal access to mainstream surgeries. An individual trans person’s need for surgery and ability to benefit from it would be compared against other patients on DHB waiting lists. Mr McEwan considers “mainstreaming and comparing equivalent information will make it harder for trans people to be ignored”.

He is keen to see a wide range of health professionals sign up to CMDHB’s database so they can be involved in the project, including specialists, GPs, psychotherapists and counsellors. “It’s a spectrum. Everyone who might touch on this process needs to be involved. Trans people are a huge component too – they are needed to keep us on track.”

“The benefit to health professionals will be enormous. Obviously, we all have views and experience of the transition process (good and bad). By bringing that into the mix, we should be able to produce something more inclusive and better informed.

“New Zealand can lead the world in showing we look after trans communities well.”

GPs, specialists, surgeons, counsellors, nurses and others in the health sector who are interested in the project can register with CMDHB for more information. CMDHB is also collating a database of health professionals who work with trans people.

Joey MacDonald, Amie Clisby, Max Lawson and Cathy Parker are the four trans representatives selected for the reference group that will advise Counties Manukau DHB about how to develop a national trans resource for health professionals. They have set up a Facebook page and will have their first video-conference report back to the wider community from 3.30-5pm on Monday 2 August.

• RSVP to jackb@hrc.co.nz if you would like to attend.
• Visit the Health page of the Inquiry website for more details about how to be involved in the project and to read the minutes from the first Reference Group meeting.

Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan noted the high standard of applications for the four volunteer positions. “The quality and number of applications received indicates the importance and value of DHBs, and government agencies more broadly, consulting with trans people on decisions that have such a direct impact on their lives.”

Cathy describes herself as a post-op trans woman and runs her own publishing business in Auckland. She has been a long-time GenderBridge member and was on the board for five years, including two as chairperson. For the last three years, this has involved being a telephone counsellor for GenderBridge and Outline.

“I have seen how difficult accessing services is for many in our community and how variable these services can be.” Cathy wants a better system “so trans people can find and access the health services they require, throughout the country”.

Joey MacDonald is a Masters student in Dunedin. He volunteered for this project because “it is crucial that trans people have a voice, a way of providing feedback to medical professionals who want to help create better healthcare for us.”

As a genderqueer trans guy, Joey is interested in ways the project can reflect “the amazing gender diversity of Aotearoa. Sometimes during my interactions with the medical establishment, I feel silenced. I want to open up those dialogues so that we can all hear each other. One of my suggestions is that we could move from a diagnosis of disorder and towards a wellness-based healthcare model.”

At the April trans hui in Wellington, whakawāhine also suggested the need for a holistic model of trans health and wellbeing based on Te Whare Tapa Whā.

The second MtF representative is Wellingtonian Amie Clisby. ” I bring good connections to various sectors of the trans community and a willingness to work with the community to represent the various needs without prejudice

“I see this project as a starting point for the trans community to build consistent and quality relationships with health providers,” said Clisby.

For the other FtM rep, Aucklander Max Lawson, communication back to the wider community is really important. “I believe my core strength is my passion for communication, to ensure the wider community remains included as much as possible for the duration of this project”. Max helped set up the project’s Facebook page so trans people can talk about the project and the training resource it develops. “I have a strong drive to ensure everyone across the transgender spectrum gets the opportunity to have a voice in the process.”

Pauanesia Passport Cover

How do I apply for an X passport?

What do I need to do to change the sex details on my birth certificate?

Trans people and their lawyers regularly contact the Human Rights Commission and community groups asking these questions. It is great to be able to now direct people to this new page on the Department of Internal Affairs’ website: Information for Transgender Applicants

This webpage includes general information, rather than legal advice, about:

• the Family Court process to obtain a Declaration as to sex (PDF 56kb) that can be used to change sex details on a birth certificate
• the Citizenship Office policy (PDF 28kb) for trans and intersex people who want to change the sex details on their citizenship or evidentiary certificate
• the Passport Office policy (PDF 30kb) for changing sex details on a passport including how to apply for an X passport.

The Department of Internal Affairs presented this information in April to more than 30 trans people at the national trans human rights training hui in Wellington. It puts their current policies together in one place, including those that were updated to reflect the June 2008 Family Court decision, Re Micheal.

There is still material to be added to the Department’s webpage, such as how a guardian can make a Family Court application for someone under the age of 18 to change their sex details. Section 29 of the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Act 1995 enables sex details to be amended on a child or young person’s birth certificate.

Trans people at the national human rights training hui in April shared projects they have set up to build support for the Transgender Inquiry recommendations. This month we include an interview with Kelly Ellis and Allyson Hamblett who have started TransAdvocates, a trans law project.TransAdvocates will provide direct legal services to trans people, including taking test cases, and lobby for the legal changes recommended by the Transgender Inquiry.

Barrister Kelly Ellis says, “Forming TransAdvocates with long-time activist Allyson Hamblett seemed like the only productive response to the prejudice our community suffers. The Human Rights Commission has been a great voice for us, but there is a real need for individuals to step up to the mark and be counted either as trans or as allies to our cause.”

Hamblett sees the two Inquiry recommendations for legislative change as the primary focus for the project. These are proposed changes to strengthen the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Act and the Human Rights Act. Ellis brings the resources of a modest law firm and is keen to provide advocacy at a grassroots level.

“Having a client’s trans status recognised in the Wellington District Court recently meant her sentence was reduced because of the increased difficulty she faced in a men’s prison,” Ellis says. “Addressing these issues with the moral authority of the Inquiry report not only helps clients but educates all those involved in the process.”

The TransAdvocates website has links to a blog and a Facebook page, which will keep the trans community informed. “We hope we can inspire others to help us increase our presence and influence,” says Ellis. TransAdvocates is an alliance and seeks input and assistance from other trans people and allies.

TransAdvocates offers a limited amount of pro bono work for trans people. Ellis notes, “Aside from the lobbying and work in the criminal jurisdiction, we want to help trans people apply for Family Court declarations to change their sex details. It is important to get a High Court decision affirming the Family Court decision Re. Michael. We think a High Court decision would give Family Court judges more guidance and therefore lead to greater consistency around the country”. The Re.Michael case clarified that full gender reassignment surgeries are not always required before a trans person can obtain a Family Court declaration.

For this project to be successful, CMDHB need support from health professionals and trans people. In particular, the project team is keen to:

• receive links to good resources about providing health services to trans people
• develop a network of clinicians working with trans people
• be contacted by people interested in receiving updates and providing comments on draft documents.

Later in May, people will be able to sign up to register their interest in the project via a link from the Healthpoint and Human Rights Commission websites.

In the meantime:

• General Practitioners registered on Healthpoint can sign up for more information
• trans people and anyone else interested, including other health professionals, can contact jackb@hrc.co.nz.

You can also help by telling other trans people and health professionals about the project. This could include:

• emailing them a copy of this e-newsletter
• trans people giving a copy of the flyer to their GP, endocrinologist, counsellor or other health professional
• health professionals raising the issues with their professional body.

Counties Manukau DHB has set up a Reference Group to get advice from trans people and health professionals for this project. They have asked for four trans reps – two FtMs / trans men and two MtFs / trans women. The Human Rights Commission is helping to coordinate the selection process for these four trans reps. Trans people at the April national human rights training hui agreed on the skills needed to be effective on the Reference Group. These are set out in the application form (link below).

Any trans person interested in putting their name forward should:

• read the flyer[PDF 175Kb] and Terms of Reference [PDF 242Kb]
• download the application form [Word]; and
• fill out the form and email, fax or post it back to Jack Byrne by MONDAY 17 MAY.

The original deadline was Sunday 9 May. This was been extended to Monday 17 May so that trans people receiving this email newsletter have the opportunity to apply.

The February email newsletter announced that Counties Manukau DHB (CMDHB) was about to start a project to improve the healthcare available to trans people who want to transition. This national project, funded by the Ministry of Health, is now under way. It is called Gender Reassignment Health Services for Trans People in New Zealand. The project will look at all the services trans people might require from when they start considering whether they will physically transition.

In particular, the project will:

• produce a resource ‘tool-kit’ that can help professionals reduce barriers to care for their trans clients. This will be based on international best practice adapted to the NZ context, and will be electronic/web based.
• create a database of clinicians working with trans people
• identify an interested lead clinician in each DHB catchment area (not necessarily working for each DHB)
• provide occasional practitioners with ongoing support and guidance

A flyer about the project is available on the Healthpoint website and the health pages of the Transgender Inquiry website.

Further information will be added to the website when it becomes available, including:

• details of the Reference Group members
• the Reference Group minutes
• any documents or guidelines (after they have been through an initial consultation process with the Reference Group).

Trans people will be able to feed into this project through the four selected trans reps on the Reference Group. In addition, the Human Rights Commission will host video/audio conferences between these reps and other interested trans people.

Kia ora, talofa lava, malo e lelei, fakaalofa lahi atu, nisa bula vinaka, kia orana and welcome to this special edition of the To Be Who I Am newsletter.

This issue:

• provides important information about the national trans health project being led by Counties Manukau DHB
• gives examples of support the project is seeking from health professionals and trans people
• asks trans people to fill out an application form if they want to apply to be one of four community reps on a Reference Group to support this project. The deadline for applications is Monday 17 May.

This is the second hui hosted by the Human Rights Commission for trans people from around the country who are working on human rights issues in their communities.

• are already ‘walking the talk’ – doing this work and/or
• have a project that they would like to plan with others at the hui.

The hui will start with a pōwhiri at 9am on Saturday 10 April and we will finish by 3pm at the latest on Monday, 12 April. The first two days will be at Tapu Te Ranga marae in Wellington. On the Monday, people from some government agencies will be invited to meet with us as a group in town. This is your chance to:

• talk with them about the human rights issues trans people face and
• get contact details for people in government agencies that you can approach directly when you have questions or concerns.

If the human rights issues in the Transgender Inquiry report are relevant to your life and the work you are doing – you are very welcome to apply. You do not need to belong to a group, but you do need to want to share your ideas and to talk about your project with others.

There is no limit on the number of people who can apply from any particular group or region. However, like everyone else, the Commission has less money this year. So we probably won’t be able to afford to accept all applications. If your group puts in applications from 2 or more people, it would help if you can rank them in order of priority. Your group is in the best position to decide who would get the most from the hui, to bring back and share with others.

The Commission will make the final selection, based on information provided in the application forms. We want everyone to help run the hui, so let us know what you would like to contribute over the three days, either on your own or with others. For example, do you want to give a presentation about your project, run a session, or organise warm-ups or icebreakers?

The main priority is selecting people who have an ongoing commitment to work on human rights issues for trans people. It is also important to include some participants who came to last year’s hui, to build on work done there.We are aiming for a diversity of participants and a range of projects.

We will let people know by the first week in March whether or not they have a confirmed place at the hui. The Commission will book economy return flights and airport shuttles for people travelling from outside Wellington, and provide free accommodation at Tapu te Ranga marae. We will pay for the cost of meals for all participants.

If you have any questions or need any help to fill out the form, please email Julie Watson on juliew@hrc.co.nz or phone her on (09) 306-2651 or 0800 496877.

Trans Human Rights Hui 2009

Wellington OutGames 2011

Have you ever been to the Gay Games or OutGames? Next year you won’t have to travel far to get there. Over 1000 trans and queer people will be swarming to Wellington from all over Asia, the Pacific and New Zealand. Not only will there be sport (including netball), and cultural events but also a human rights conference. And they need your ideas and help.

The Wellington OutGames organisers really want trans people, whakawāhine, tangata ira tane, fa’afafine, fakaleiti, akava’ine and others from our communities to be involved. This is because the conference is about celebrating diversity of gender identity as well as sexual orientation.

If you are interested, contact the Conference Convenor Barry Taylor on conference@wellingtonoutgames.com There will be some time during the Trans Human Rights Hui this April for people to think about workshops or presentations they might want to offer to run at the Asia Pacific OutGames conference too.

So:

• start thinking about ideas for the OutGames human rights conference – it’s just over a year away and planning is already underway
• put the dates in your diary: Sat 12 – Sat 19 March 2011 (with the conference on from Wed 16 – Friday 18 March)
• read more on the Wellington Outgames 2011 website.

A contract has now been signed between Counties Manukau District Health Board and the Ministry of Health for a Trans Health Review. More information about how trans people can be involved will be put on the Health page of the Inquiry website and emailed out in a special To Be Who I Am newsletter as soon as it is available.

The Ministry of Health, in consultation with the Human Rights Commission, was working towards setting up a Gender Reassignment Health Services Working Group. This group of health professionals and trans people were to develop guidance for the provision of appropriate health services for trans people to access at the beginning, during and after their transition.

In the second half of 2009 the Minister of Health asked the Ministry to fund Counties Manukau DHB to manage this project. The contract has just been been finalised and will include consultation with trans people, facilitated by the Human Rights Commission.

At the end of the 12 months the project will have:

• produced a “How To” resource for NZ health practitioners
• identified contact health professionals within each DHB.

More background information is also available on the Health page of the Transgender Inquiry website.

View/Print the full text online

Kia ora, talofa lava, malo e lelei, fakaalofa lahi atu, nisa bula vinaka, kia orana and welcome to this special edition of the To Be Who I Am newsletter.

This issue includes two great opportunities for trans people to get more involved in human rights issues. Read how you can:

• apply to come to the second Trans Human Rights Training hui in Wellington from 10-12 April ( the deadline for applying is Tuesday 23 February) and
• help create trans workshops or presentations for the Asia Pacific OutGames human rights conference in Wellington in March next year

There is also an update about the Trans Health Review and information about an intersex discussion in Auckland on 26 February.

In July 2009 the Commission met with a small number of intersex people and groups (including those representing parents), health professionals, academics and government agencies to discuss human rights issues for intersex people.

The discussion was very valuable and you can read a summary here. Participants asked the Commission to host a second longer meeting, in Auckland, early in 2010. Almost 20 people will be attending this discussion on 26 February.

The purpose of the initial meeting on 15 July 2009 was to:

• acknowledge issues that intersex people have raised with the Commission, including during our Transgender Inquiry
• discuss the education work the Commission has supported since that Inquiry to highlight the specific issues that intersex people face
• share information on some recent international developments
• seek suggestions on what, if any, role the Commission might take to improve the dignity, equality and security of intersex people.

The second, larger roundtable meeting on 26 February 2010 aims to:

• expand discussion about these issues beyond those able to attend the first roundtable
• help to build links between people with an interest in the human rights of intersex people
• provide an opportunity to share information (including from health professionals who are keen to see best practice guidelines developed around working with intersex people).

Kia ora, talofa lava, malo e lelei, fakaalofa lahi atu, nisa bula vinaka, kia orana and welcome to the fifth issue of To Be Who I Am. This newsletter includes articles about new resources, support groups, community events and opportunities to have a say about human rights issues for trans people.

Cindy (pictured) and other local trans people in Hamilton are helping to run a Trans 101 workshop at Waikato Museum on Thursday 12 November. Two weeks later there is the chance to meet a dynamic panel of trans youth and to watch dancers, singers, animators and performers show you how they celebrate their gender identity. If you live nearby, come along to support them.

We hope to see many of you at the Wellington and Auckland Transgender Inquiry updates in December.

AUCKLAND
Date: Tuesday 8 December
Time: 5.45-7.15pm
Venue: Human Rights Commission, Level 10, Tower Centre, 45 Queen St.
RSVP: jackb@hrc.co.nz by Friday 4 December (for catering)

People from other regions are encouraged to contact us if they have any questions, and all updates will be posted on the website.

Health Recommendations
In community briefings around the country at the end of last year trans people said that getting progress on the Inquiry’s health recommendations was a high priority.

We had hoped to include an update in this newsletter about what has been called the Trans Health Working Group. This is an opportunity for trans people and health professionals to create a resource describing the types and quality of public health services trans people should be able to access during and after their transition.

Unfortunately, the Human Rights Commission is still waiting to receive final details about this project. We hope these will be confirmed before the end of the year. As soon as that happens, information will be put on the Health page of the Inquiry website and emailed out in a special To Be Who I Am newsletter

In July the Ministry of Justice presented a report to the Minister of Justice, the Hon. Simon Power, on progress implementing the Transgender Inquiry’s recommendations. The Minister has asked for another progress report in July next year. Between now and then, there is a lot to be done so that trans people and their families enjoy the same rights as other people in New Zealand. This requires work by the Human Rights Commission, government agencies, trans people, health professionals and the wider community.

Please keep us informed about what you are doing and let us know whether we can profile it on the website and in the newsletter.

Other updates we plan to include in the next newsletter are about:
• how to put your name forward to attend the national human rights training hui for trans people in Wellington next March
• an intersex round table to be held in Auckland on 26 February 2010
• a report from the recent Love Life 3 fono in Auckland
• photos from Transgender Day of Remembrance events.

Please email any photos, material or questions to transgenderinquiry@hrc.co.nz.

Waikato Museum

In the words of the Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan, “for me, most movingly this exhibition gives people a chance to see that gender diversity adds to the richness that is humanity. It is something to celebrate, not something to fear”.

Over 80 people attended the opening in Hamilton on 31 October. Come along to three free workshops on Thursday nights, 12 and 26 November, run in partnership with local trans people and the museum. They are a great way for family members, teachers, counsellors, GPs, community groups, workmates and friends to listen to trans people, ask questions and get helpful contacts and resources.

THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER
5.30-6.30pm
Artist Rebecca Swan and film maker Kirsty MacDonald share their passion for the Assume Nothing project.
7.15-9pm
Trans 101 -whakawāhine, akava’ine, trans women and men aged from their 20s to their 70s talk about their lives and answer questions. Together with the Human Rights Commission they give practical tips about bringing the Transgender Inquiry’s recommendations to life at home, work and in your local community.

THURSDAY 26 NOVEMBER
5.30-7.15pm
Young and Trans – trans youth explain about how to create schools, youth groups and health services that are positive, inclusive and safe for them. They are joined by a local teacher and health professional.
8pm
Trans Vocal – akava’ine, trans women and trans men share dance, film, performance, animation and songs to express their gender identity. This is a celebration for trans people, their families and friends, and is also open to the public.

You can download a PDF flyer here or read details online.

Bookings can be made with Waikato Museum by phoning (07) 838 6606 or emailing museum@hcc.govt.nz. Spaces are limited so bookings are advised.

“We both found it the most incredible hour and a half. While we attended in order to learn, what we left with was far more of an insight than either of us expected. The strength and capacity of the young people that spoke really touched us.”

The last venue for the Young and Trans workshop will be Waikato Museum on Thursday 26 November.

Since August trans and gender diverse young people in Christchurch and Dunedin have created their own South Island network – Forge. They meet fortnightly in Christchurch and can be contacted on forge.south@gmail.com.

Meanwhile, in Dunedin, Same Difference, a queer social support group for people aged 20 and under, is very trans-inclusive. One of the facilitators is trans and there is a warm welcome for any trans or gender questioning young people. Same Difference has been meeting twice a month and hopes to hold a Rainbow ball in Dunedin’s Youth Week next May. You can contact Same Difference on youthlinecommunity@youthline.co.nz.

Trans youth are also active in Transedin, the new Dunedin Agender group that meets monthly. For more details email transedin@gmail.com.

Recent resource:

How Safe?

The Otago University Students Association has published areport on how well Otago secondary schools have implemented the recommendations of the 2005 Safety in Our Schools Action Kit. Pages 40-43 highlight that schools lack policies and guidelines about most issues that impact on trans and gender diverse students.

Copies can be requested from q.support@ousa.org.nz and will be available on the OUSA website.

The Transgender Inquiry recommended that the Department of Labour should provide information about issues that trans people may face at work. After consulting on an initial draft, the Department of Labour has produced two Transgender People at Work guides, one for employers and one for employees. These are available on the Department of Labour’s website.

Transgender People at Work – Guide for Employees
[PDF 261KB] HTML

This guide is designed to provide information about legal and employment rights, as well as different workplace issues that trans people may encounter.

Transgender People at Work – Guide for Employers
[PDF 307KB] HTML

This guide specifically addresses issues that employers of transgender employees may need to consider. It builds on best practice approaches and tools currently used by employers and human resource practitioners, including clear policies to change records and protect employees’ privacy.

Other recent resources:

Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace (2nd edition, 2008) – a best practice guide for human resource and other employment professionals produced by the US Human Rights Campaign Foundation [PDF 1.14MB] HTML

Trans Research Review (October 2009)-research findings published by the British Equality and Human Rights Commission, identifying actions the Commission will undertake in the next year [PDF 1.24MB] WORD

Based on the Transgender Inquiry’s findings, the Commission recommended that any trans person who has taken definitive steps to live fully and permanently as a woman or as a man should be able to identify as that sex on their census form.

The full submission is available on the Commission’s website here, and issues for trans people start on page 24.

The Human Rights Commission is thinking about its next five-year Human Rights Action Plan and wants to hear from you.

In 2003 the Human Rights Commission talked to people all over New Zealand to find out what were the most important human rights they faced. Human Rights in New Zealand Today was published in September 2004, followed in March 2005 by an Action Plan 2005 – 2010. One of its recommendations was that the Human Rights Commission should hold a Transgender Inquiry.

Five years on, the Commission is updating Human Rights in NZ Today so it can develop a second Action Plan, to be launched on Human Rights Day at the end of 2010. This is your chance to have a say by answering these two questions.

•1. What is the most pressing human rights issue to you?

What is fair / what is not fair? He aha tana raruraru? If you reflected on your life and your world, what human rights issues come to mind?

•2. What would make the biggest difference to you?

What do you think should happen instead? He aha to pirangi mo te ao? What suggestions would you make to address these?

You can send answers to Julie Watson at juliew@hrc.co.nz or fill out a short survey online here.

Friday 20 November is the 11th International Transgender Day of Remembrance. Vigils around the world commemorate the lives of trans people, and sometimes their partners and friends, who have been killed in the last 12 months because of their gender identity. This year trans groups have organised a number of commemorations in New Zealand where at least one local trans woman will be remembered.The Transgender Inquiry found sobering evidence of harassment, discrimination, assaults and others forms of violence against trans people. These ranged from lower-level insults to very violent physical and sexual assaults. In some severe cases people suffered permanent ongoing health issues after being attacked. Trans people also told the Inquiry about friends who had committed suicide because of the violence directed at them simply for being trans.

In previous New Zealand Transgender Day of Remembrance events the names of trans people who have been killed were read aloud at candlelight vigils, and written on crosses or inside the chalked outlines of bodies drawn on Wellington’s Civic Square. It has also been a time to reflect on the fear, violence and discrimination that affects many trans people’s lives.

Often New Zealand trans people who have died struggled to have a life free from violence and addiction. lt is not always clear whether they were killed for being trans, but typically they had encountered discrimination because of their gender identity.

Diksy Jones was a cabinet maker, who loved old cars, cricket and cats. In May this year she was killed in her Upper Hutt apartment, aged 64. Two men have been charged with her murder. Diksy Jones is one of almost 100 people who will be remembered around the world this Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Yet trans people remain invisible as victims in crime statistics and crime surveys. That is why Transgender day of Remembrance is so important. It publicly mourns and honours the lives of those who might otherwise be forgotten.

Transgender Day of Remembrance raises public awareness of violence and hate crimes against trans people, and provides an opportunity for non-trans people to stand alongside their trans friends, partners, children and parents. It also demonstrates the power and resilience of trans communities speaking out against violence, proudly being who they are.

Some New Zealand commemorations this year include:

Christchurch – Agender members, significant others, friends and supporters are invited to meet at 6pm for nibbles and drinks, followed by a social time and Christmas festive food. The venue is the conference room, 2nd Floor Te Whakaruruhau ki Ōtautahi | Christchurch Community House. Please RSVP to agenderchch@clear.net.nz by Monday 16 November.

Wellington – Agender has its meeting in Lower Hutt on Friday 20 November and then a BBQ and games in a park at Belmont on Saturday 21st. Contact Natalie Shearer on n_shearer@maxnet.co.nz or 027 675 8373.

Hamilton - there will be a gathering at the Riff-Raff statue on Hamilton’s Victoria Street from 7.30pm onwards on Friday evening 20 November. All are welcome to join Agender Waikato and Hamilton Pride there to make a stand against violence and discrimination.

Auckland - A week later, Gender Bridge are hosting a vigil at St Mathew in the City, at 7pm on Saturday 28 November. Email info@genderbridge.org for details.

NZ Police’s vision of “Safer Communities Together” aims to reduce crime, violence and victimisation experienced by trans communities and to encourage people to report violence, harassment and assaults.Police Diversity Liaison Officers (DLOs) are police officers and police employees located throughout NZ who liaise with trans communities. An updated list of DLO contacts is available here.

In a very significant move, a United Nations treaty body has stated that gender identity is a prohibited ground of discrimination in international law. This spells out countries’ obligations to not discriminate against trans people.

This recently adopted General Comment on Non-Discrimination also includes the first explicit reference to the Yogyakarta Principles. These principles apply international human rights law to gender identity and sexual orientation issues.

On 25 May 2009, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) adopted a General Comment E/C.12/GC/20 on Non-Discrimination. This is first time gender identity has been explicitly recognised by a treaty body in a General Comment.

UN treaty bodies like the CESCR are required to monitor States’ compliance with international obligations under international treaties they have ratified. The CESCR looks at compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

General Comments provide the Committee’s interpretation of the provisions of that Covenant. A General Comment on Non-Discrimination is therefore extremely significant in reflecting the grounds on which discrimination is prohibited and the scope of countries’ obligations.

The General Comment notes that “for example, persons who are transgender, transsexual or intersex often face serious human rights violations, such as harassment in schools or in the work place”.

The General Comment also affirmed that discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation is prohibited under the International Covenant.

The Department of Internal Affairs has confirmed a change to their policy about when a trans woman can have an F on her passport and a trans man can have an M.

If a trans person is able to obtain a Family Court declaration changing their sex details, those new details will be accepted for a passport. Under the previous policy, medical evidence of full gender reassignment surgery was needed before a trans woman could obtain an F passport and a trans man could have an M on his New Zealand passport.

Trans people still have the option of applying for a passport with their sex details omitted (shown in the passport as an X). Further details can be obtained from passports@dia.govt.nz or by calling 0800 225050.

Family Court decision

A June 2008 Family Court decision clarified that full gender reassignment surgeries are not always required before someone is able to obtain a Family Court declaration changing their sex details. In the Re Michael case a trans man was able to obtain a declaration that he is male based on expert medical evidence verifying the permanent impact of his hormone treatment and chest surgery. The Commisison is interested in hearing about any applications to the Family Court from trans women who have not had gender / sex reassignment surgery or trans people unable to have surgery or take hormones. Such cases could:

• further clarify what medical steps are necessary for trans people to change their sex details and
• identify those groups who may still face barriers in gaining legal recognition under the current legislation.

The Inquiry recommended the law should be amended so that trans people who have “taken decisive steps to live fully and permanently” in their gender identity are able to obtain a Family Court declaration changing their sex details. This recommendation was based on international case law and human rights standards.

]]> http://www.hrc.co.nz/newsletters/to-be-who-i-am/2009/07/new-passports-policy/feed/ 3 http://www.hrc.co.nz/newsletters/to-be-who-i-am/2009/07/christchurch-workshops-28-july-and-18-august/ http://www.hrc.co.nz/newsletters/to-be-who-i-am/2009/07/christchurch-workshops-28-july-and-18-august/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:41:01 +0000 jackb http://www.hrc.co.nz/newsletters/?p=1705

Shane

The Human Rights Commission is holding three free trans workshops on Tuesday 28 July and Tuesday 18 August alongside the Assume Nothing exhibition at Canterbury Museum. The workshops have been fully booked in other cities and over 300 people have attended them in the last year.

Come along to meet whakawāhine, fa’afafine and other trans panelists and performers and bring lots of questions.

The workshops are:

• Trans 101 - a fun session for family members, health professionals, community groups and anyone else wanting to understand more about issues faced by trans people.
• Young and Trans - how to create schools, youth groups and health services that are positive, inclusive and safe for trans youth.
• Trans Vocal - see how trans singers, performers, poets and artists use creativity to express their gender identity.

The workshops cater for people who know nothing about trans issues through to trans people who come along to support other panelists. Having that range of participants has made these very special events in other cities.

You can read details about the workshops and a floor talk by the exhibition artists:

• online here (HTML) or
• in this flyer (PDF- 519Kb)

]]> http://www.hrc.co.nz/newsletters/to-be-who-i-am/2009/07/christchurch-workshops-28-july-and-18-august/feed/ 0 http://www.hrc.co.nz/newsletters/to-be-who-i-am/2009/07/human-rights-hui-for-trans-people/ http://www.hrc.co.nz/newsletters/to-be-who-i-am/2009/07/human-rights-hui-for-trans-people/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:40:34 +0000 jackb http://www.hrc.co.nz/newsletters/?p=1780

To Be Who I Am image

On 2 and 3 March over 40 trans people from Whangarei to Dunedin came to a national human rights hui at Tapu te Ranga marae in Wellington. The youngest participant was still at school and brought her grandmother along to share this journey with us all. This ground-breaking hui was the first time many of the trans people who have been involved in the Transgender Inquiry at a regional level met each other.

At the hui, people shared stories about the status of whakawāhine, fa’afafine and other trans people, traditionally, and their experiences today.

People learnt about:

• how the Human Rights Act protects trans people from discrimination
• resources on the Inquiry website about human rights issues that trans people face
• what others are doing and issues they could work on together.

In breaks, some people shared their stories with TranSister Radio.

The Commission was also sent these comments by email:

I feel reenergized and called to action. It was great to feel supported and I loved being on the marae.

I’m still buzzing after the hui and I am inspired by what we have all achieved there, not least the ability to work together without prejudice.

The recent trans gender weekend was nothing but absolutely fabulous. I enjoyed everything, and I want to thank you all for putting on such a beautiful hui and giving the chance to meet my new family.

Personally, I feel the ‘weekend’ was a massive breakthrough in establishing a cohesive forward looking community to take responsibility for itself into the future, and for me that is hugely exciting.

Hui

Many of the hui partcipants wanted to stay in contact after the hui. A contact list and some workshop notes have been sent to everyone, so that people can share what they have been doing locally. The Commission ran two follow-up workshops at the national Agender conference over Queen’s Birthday weekend.

The Human Rights Commission plans to hold another smaller national training hui in March 2010. This will be for those trans people who have put some time into doing trans human rights work since the first hui.

Jaimie - a GenderQuest member

Do you want to help the Human Rights Commission develop an online FAQ factsheet for schools? Any suggested questions and answers or offers of help are very welcome.

We would particularly like to hear from trans students and parents or teachers. Contact us on transgenderinquiry@hrc.co.nz.

Trans young people and their families told the Transgender Inquiry about the barriers they face at school and how teachers can make a real difference.

I think all the teachers knew and they cleared the path for me. (Fa’afafine)
The Children and Young People’s chapter in the Inquiry’s final report talks about what it is like for trans students at school and the support they and their familes need. Trans children and young people are often dependent on others (such as their parents and teachers) to ensure their right to education is understood and protected.

The Inquiry concluded that there is an urgent need for information and resources for trans children and young people, their parents and families. It recommended that that Ministry of Education helps schools to share what they are doing to support trans students.

The Human Rights Commission has met with Ministry of Education staff in Auckland and they have agreed to work together to draft a simple online pamphlet for schools.
The Commission would like to hear from students, parents and schools:

• What questions do schools ask when they have a trans student?
• What answers and resources have been useful for your school?
• What has your school learnt about supporting whakawahine, fa’afafine and other trans students?

In Australia, the Victorian Government’s new Schools Reference Guide includes advice about supporting trans and intersex students. Pages 71-74 deal with terminology, developing a management plan, toilet facilities, privacy and use of a preferred name.

Other resources for children, young people and their familes can be found on the Inquiry website. This includes information about two trans youth organsiations – GenderQuest in Auckland and TRANZform in Wellington.

Read more here about work being done by students’ association to support trans tertiary students and how to get involved.

In June 2009 a small number of Auckland health professionals, including a trans woman, attended the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) symposium in Norway. There they talked with Australian colleagues about establishing an Australasian branch of the WPATH.

They are interested in meeting other Auckland health professionals working with trans people and to link with others in New Zealand and Australia. Trans people working in the health field are particularly welcome. The contact person is John Newman: John.Newman@middlemore.co.nz

Hormone blockers

Other exciting health news includes Pharmac’s decision to subsidise prescriptions for GnRH analogues (known colloquially as ‘hormone blockers’). Parents of trans adolescents could often not afford this medical treatment required to delay their child’s puberty. From 1 August 2009, hormone blockers will be free for trans youth and others if they have been assessed by a specialist and this medication has been prescribed as medically necessary.

The Commission continues to update the Trans Health Resources page of the Inquiry website. Any suggestions are very welcome. Recent additions include Guidelines and Protocols for Comprehensive Primary Health Care for Trans Clients (PDF 4Kb). This resource for family physicians comes from the Shelbourne Health Centre in Toronto.

Other progress on the Transgender Inquiry’s health recommendations can be found here.

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 May the New Zealand Human Rights Commission joined other national human rights institutions (NHRIs) at an Asia Pacific Forum (APF) meeting in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Participants from Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, Jordan, Nepal, New Zealand, Palestine, Korea and Thailand talked about how they can better protect and promote the rights of trans, gay, lesbian and bisexual people.

Discrimination and violence against people because of their gender identity or sexual orientation is a serious problem in many countries across the Asia Pacific. It includes execution or extra-judicial killing, torture, rape, arbitrary detention, unfair trials and forced pregnancy and marriage.

The workshop discussed practical ways that NHRIs could use their functions and powers to make a difference. Examples included investigating complaints, reviewing laws and policies, holding national inquiries and public education.

The NZ Commission’s presentation used TV images and photos to show the dignity and mana of whakawāhine, fa’afafine, FtMs, MtFs, cross-dressers and other trans people involved in the Transgender Inquiry. The Commission was privileged to meet local trans people (waria) in Yogyakarta and Bali and gave them copies of the Inquiry report and DVDs of the Pacific Peoples Project’s 2007 fono.

The workshop concluded by strongly deploring “all forms of stereotyping, exclusion, stigmatisation, prejudice, intolerance, discrimination and violence” against transgender, gay, lesbian and bisexual people.

Information about the APF workshop, including its concluding statement can be found here.

Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan was in good company at the Agender national conference over Queen’s Birthday weekend. Other speakers included Agender Patron Carmen Rupe, Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast and Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson.

Chanel Hati from NZPC gave her first ever presentation, then went on to receive Agender’s Working for the Community award.

Chanel talked about NZPC’s community outreach with trans street workers, including data and quotes from Christchurch School of Medicine research. These showed, for example, that the majority of trans sex workers work on the street, and are Māori.

Other winners of the inaugural Agender Awards were Christina Loughton (Regional Coordinator), Peri and Karen Te Wao (Person of the Year), Dianne Walker (Best Presentation) and Sarah Lamont (Best Newcomer). Senior Constable Sarah Lurajud, New Zealand’s first openly trans police officer, accepted the Trans Ally award on behalf of the Police Diversity Liaison Officers.

hannah Ho wai ling and Brooklynn Michelle from Wellington trans youth organisation TRANZform gave a workshop at the Agender conference. Some extracts from hannah’s presentation are copied below.

The suffragette challenge and struggle for women’s rights got them labelled as not being real or proper women. The same deal followed for lesbians and feminists in the 60′s and 70′s.

Homophobia and transphobia works like that, people who do not follow the ‘man’ rules, and ‘women’ rules are discriminated against, ridiculed, outcast, imprisoned and too often murdered.

Supporting our young people means supporting their journeys to transition hormonally or non hormonally, surgically and non surgically, to live simply as men or as women, or anywhere in between.

Chanel Hati’s and hannah Ho wai ling’s presentations will be available soon on the Inquiry website’s Participation page. Look there for details of other trans community events, including the September meeting of the All Trans Forum in Auckland.

Kia ora, talofa lava, malo e lelei, fakaalofa lahi atu, nisa bula vinaka, kia orana and welcome to the fourth issue of To Be Who I Am.

We hope you like the new blog format which gives you the option of commenting on newsletter articles.

You can read other people’s comments by visiting the Commission’s e-newsletters page and scrolling down to To Be Who I Am in the right-hand menu.