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The Gender Centre: An Update(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.) Well the year is going quick as it always seems to do. There has been lots happening here at the centre. In particular the increase for face to face counselling has meant often people have needed to wait a week or two before being able to see somebody. We continue to maximise time for face to face counselling and are sorry if the wait has been difficult. In addition to this is the Tribes Video, "Shattered Illusions", which some of you may be wondering about. The script has been approved by the AIDS Bureau and we are looking for people who are interested in being part of the video. So if you are one of those people, give us a call and we can give you more details. We have also continued work on our pamphlets (hormones, breast implants, neo vaginal surgery and H.I.V. / AIDS). We hope to have these ready by the end of August. They are looking good and are informative and readable. There has also been an increase of service providers contacting us to conduct workshops for staff in relation to gender issues and how they can make their services more accessible to people with gender issues. One of these is S.Q.W.I.S.I. who have invited us to Brisbane for three days to train staff in issues relevant to their service working with people who have gender issues. Lea Well you may have noticed a few changes in the administrative area of the gender centre over the past couple of months. I am cutting back to part time work concentrating on Resource Development - basically producing Polare. So I've been handing over the rest of the administrative duties to Tracy-Lee who will sit in the position until October. You will have noticed that this edition of Polare is an extra eight pages in size. This is simply due to the amount of interest we've had in people contributing articles. It is very encouraging to see people wanting to be involved in Polare and if the interest is maintained the publication should stay at this increased size. It is also very encouraging to see the wide variety of contributions that we are receiving, which hopefully ensures that there is something for everyone. So as it gains momentum, I am looking forward to focusing specifically on Polare and working with you to keep it interesting. Craig Hello, I'm Tracy-Lee. I am working as the administrative worker until October and have been having a wonderful time meeting a lot of you here at the centre. If you haven't yet met me, you are likely to encounter me if you come out to see the community worker or phone to make an appointment. Don't forget our winter barbecue! That will be an opportunity to catch up over a glass of punch and have a good laugh. See you then. Tracy-Lee Requests from people in prisons for visits from the Gender Centre has been on the increase over the past few months. With ongoing support from members of the Prison AIDS Project and Special Needs Managers in the Department of Corrective Services, we have been able to gain prompt access to those requesting visits as well as having the opportunity to work with these service providers in exchanging information and resources. Improving the quality of life and reducing risk for those living with gender issues in the prison system is no small task, but becomes possible when people choose to work together. The Special Needs Managers from across the state of New South Wales will be meeting at the Gender Centre during July to discuss ways of improving already existing services. Just a reminder that you need not be living in an institution such as a prison to access the outreach services which the gender centre provides. We continue to visit people in their homes, hospitals or anonymously rendezvous on the street, whichever is most convenient for a person at any given time. One of the many aspects to cope with for people living with gender issues is the isolation one feels from the broader community and in many Instances, the community of others with gender issues. This in itself is a more than valid reason to give us a call and possibly make a time when we can catch up with you. We can not only help you access many other services you may be unfamiliar with, but we're also known to offer pretty good entertainment value. Camille 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. |
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