Sydney Gay Games & the Transgender Community

by The Gender Centre Inc.

(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.)

Transgender Policy is a requirement of the Gay Games. Consultations on the Transgender Policy adopted at the last Games in Amsterdam have been undertaken with local Transgender and Intersex representatives. Reports on the current state of play have been given to the National Indigenous Working Group, Moana Pacifika, the Women's Advisory Group and the Gender Centre.

The following steps have been taken:

• the Amsterdam policy has been extensively debated;
• a legal opinion on Amsterdam and Australian law has been provided;
• the Co-Chairs of the Sports Committee of the Federation of Gay Games (F.G.G.) were briefed at the Johannesburg annual meeting on 25 October 2001 regarding issues that arise from the medical framework adopted in Amsterdam;
• The F.G.G. has been asked to note that the Amsterdam policy was inadequate in relation to the medical and social reality of many transgender persons;
• the F.G.G. has been asked to note that a medically focused policy (surgery and/or medication backed by doctors' certificates) is inadequate for Indigenous, Asia Pacific, African and other "ethno-local" transgender identities;
• the F.G.G. has been asked to note the issues that arise from Intersex conditions
• Sydney 2002 has informed the F.G.G. that it intends to consult further with affected communities (Indigenous, Asia, Pacific, women) and seek an inclusive solution for "non-medical" transgender persons. Sydney 2002 is looking to hold further discussion in December 2001;
• Sydney 2002 has noted that some transgender persons would like transgender sports events, and will explore this. Sydney 2002 also notes that some transgender persons would not support separate events; and
• Sydney 2002 will seek to establish a working link with the hosts of the 2006 Gay Games in Montreal, in order to ensure that this issue is placed early on the Canadian agenda.

It should be noted that there is no finalised policy as of mid-November 2001. Given the issues yet to be resolved, and the process required, the target for finalisation is the end of January 2002.

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.