From The Management Committee

by Leslie

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

Recently we have become aware of attacks upon the coordinator of the Gender Centre, Elizabeth Riley. The Management Committee wishes to make it clear that Elizabeth has the full support of the entire committee. Furthermore the Management Committee would like all members to be aware that there is a proper avenue of bringing complaints to our notice, and that is by writing to the Management Committee.

Members should also be aware that it is the Management Committee which runs the Gender Centre, and that approval for major initiatives must be given by the Management Committee, before they can proceed. While the day to day running of the Gender Centre is entrusted to the coordinator, she works in close liaison with the Management Committee, to ensure that full knowledge of the Centre's activities is known to the Committee.

The goals and objectives of the Gender Centre, as laid down in the constitution are as follows:

• to provide temporary accommodation, in a safe and supportive environment to people with gender issues who are homeless, distressed or otherwise in need of such accommodation;
• to provide accurate information and referral services for people with gender issues in relation to legal, education, health, housing, welfare and employment services;
• to liaise closely with other legal, health, housing, welfare and employment services which may be of assistance to people with gender issues; and
• to encourage community understanding of the interests, concerns and needs of people with gender issues.

In the time that Elizabeth has been the coordinator at the Gender Centre, the following are some of the areas and activities that she has engaged in, on behalf of the Transgender community:

• training to the N.S.W. Department of Education and Training;
• training to 22 health related agencies;
• training to 6 employers/employer groups;
• Networking with over 50 employer groups and agencies;
• Sitting on the A.D.B. Transgender Consultative Committee;
• the Transgender Prisons Policy Sub-Committee;
• the Department for Women Working Party; and
• H.C.C.C. Consultation.

Elizabeth has been in consultation with the N.S.W. Health Department, women's community health centres, and the N.S.W. Department of Education and Training, in their development of policies. She has also provided advocacy on behalf of four transgenders in the process of transitioning while employed.

Elizabeth has been working with specific employers on behalf of transgender folk, and has had success, specifically with Westpac, Manpower, and The Body Shop. She has been interviewed by the print media, the Illawarra Mercury running a story about someone who transitioned, had an excellent support story by Elizabeth. She has given four radio interviews and one television interview, and has had articles printed in two major industry magazines, and in L.O.T.L.

Elizabeth has given advocacy at all levels of society on behalf of the transgender community. She is currently a member of the Australian Businesswomens Network, and the Employment Equity Specialist Association, and while she has been achieving this, she has also maintained full responsibility as coordinator of the Gender Centre.

I doubt that any fair-minded person could find much to complain about at this level of activity! We are very lucky to have her working at the Gender Centre.

Polare is published in Australia by The Gender Centre Inc. which is funded by the Department of Community Services under the S.A.A.P. Program and supported by the N.S.W. Health Department through the AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch. Polare provides a forum for discussion and debate on gender issues. Advertisers are advised that all advertising is their responsibility under the Trade Practices Act. Unsolicited contributions are welcome, though no guarantee is made by the Editor that they will be published, nor any discussion entered into. The editor reserves the right to edit such contributions without notification. Any submission which appears in Polare may be published on our internet site. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, The Gender Centre Inc.I, the Department of Community Services or the N.S.W. Department of Health.