Manager's Report

by Elizabeth Riley

(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.)

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a joyous festive season and that 2003 sees an end and not an escalation to the insane and inhumane conflicts that have beset the world in recent times.

I am writing this report well in advance of my usual deadline since I will be on holidays throughout January. It is, therefore, more of a forecast than a report. However, there are some interesting and exciting irons in the fire and even though some changes may occur I don't want to miss the opportunity to let people know what is afoot.

Mardi Gras Festival

Undoubtedly of great significance is the Anti-Discrimination Board's Mardi Gras Forum 2003. As part of the Mardi Gras Festival the A.D.B. has regularly been involved in the carriage of major events. In 2001 there was the launch of the Acts of Passion, which was a formal launch at Parliament House of the Same Sex Relationships Bill. In 2002 the A.D.B. were behind the Skool's Out campaign which focused on the issues surrounding coming out of gays and lesbians in school and the attendant homophobia. The great news is that in 2003 the forum will be titled The Neglected Communities, The Missing Bits of GaBLITT. Chris Puplick, President of the A.D.B., put forward the idea at the last transgender consultation and it was enthusiastically welcomed by everyone in attendance. Chris's idea stems from his observations that the gay and lesbian communities have enjoyed many opportunities over the years of Mardi Gras to promote their issues but little exposure has been afforded to the bi-sexual, intersex, transgender and transsexual communities.

What makes this event so significant is the chance it will provide to present our concerns to an elite audience in the salubrious surroundings of Parliament House. Invitations will be sent to the Board's various Community Consultation Groups, relevant community organisations, the political parties, academic researchers, a range of government departments and agencies and the media. The forum will be extensively advertised as an open and free event through all media outlets associated with Mardi Gras 2003. Speakers, selected for their expertise in particular fields, will present papers on the legal and medical issues concerning the "neglected communities", and on the specific issues of concern to the bisexual, intersex and transgender/transsexual communities. Papers from A.D.B. and E.E.O. agencies around Australia will also be sought for inclusion in the Background Paper which will be posted on the A.D.B.'s website and possibly on the Mardi Gras website. Invited representatives of the major political parties will be asked to participate in the debate and to state their formal party policies or commitments in relation to the issues raised.

I see this as an enormous opportunity to place our issues on the table before an influential audience in a red carpet setting. That we now find ourselves in a position where we can enjoy this level and quality of exposure is also a clear reflection of how far our communities have advanced in the pursuit for access, equity and recognition. Our task now is to ensure that we make the most of our opportunity and in the wake of the forum maintain the momentum towards true equity and the respect our communities deserve.

This is a truly exciting development for us all. Keep a look out in the Mardi Gras advertising for details of the event which is scheduled for 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Tuesday, 25th February in the Jubilee Room at Parliament House in Macquarie Street.

Transgender Anti-Violence Strategic Investigation

By the time this edition goes to print Katherine will have completed the investigation stage of this project and also the final draft of the report. The Steering Committee will be meeting in early February to plan the next stage of the project which will involve a six month trial of one or more of the strategies aimed at reducing the levels of violence to which transgender people are subject. I expect Katherine will provide more detail but we may be seeking interested members in the community to play a role in the trial. I cannot give details at this stage since the nature of the trial will be dependent on the final report and the advice of the steering committee. However, as soon as this becomes clear we will be publicising our intentions and possibly seeking expressions of interest. Stay tuned for this one.

While the Gender Centre has a range of projects that we perform as part of our funding agreements we are always keen to hear from the community if there are any areas that need addressing that we may be able to include in our service delivery. Are there workshops that you would like the centre to run that could benefit yourself and others in the community? Are there social events that you would like to participate in? Just contact any staff member and we will explore the possibilities. We are always keen to ensure that the service we provide is as good as it can possibly be within the limitations of the funding we receive.

Once again I hope 2003 proves to be prosperous and fulfilling for everyone and I look forward to seeing you throughout the year.

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.