Social & Support Report

by Jai

(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.)

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Easter break and didn't eat too much chocolate (as I did). Since the last report we have had a quite a few successful events including the Harbour Cruise and Easter barbecue. The Cruise was an enjoyable day with a full bus (I did warn places would fill up quickly) and brilliant sunny weather. There were a few last minute dashes for the boat on the return trip. Those who missed out on the cruise will be happy to know that another will take place next year. The Easter barbecue attracted quite a crowd and a lot of smoke as we had a few new cooks try their hand at the barbecue with delicious results.

The Youth Gender Fair was a huge success with many young people and older kids attending. Katherine, Grace and I all made appearances on panels along with others. It was great to take part in some intense public discourse in exploring different ideas of gender and the variations people experience.

T.A.F.E. will be holding an information Day on Friday 21 May at the Gender Centre. Information will be available on different courses running, how to access them, and the procedure to be followed when applying. The Information Day is an excellent chance for people looking at updating their skills or moving into a new career.

We have quite a few events for guys over the next few months. In May we are running an Anger Management course for F.T.M. guys with St Vincent de Paul. We currently have three places available. If anyone is interested in attending they need to contact me A.S.A.P. directly on 9569 2366 or on the Email address for Social and Support (see below). Coming up in June we have an F.T.M. Surgery and Health Talk on Saturday 5 June starting at 11:30am. Partners, family and friends are welcome to attend this talk with the guys. A few weekends later on Saturday 26 June we have a Packer and Harness workshop. This event is only for people who identify as F.T.M. or male with a transgender/transsexual history. We need to get an idea of how many guys are coming to make sure we have enough materials, if you would like to attend you need to book by 12 June.

Our next social barbecue is coming up on Sunday 20 June. Barbecues provide a chance to meet new people, catch up and enjoy a huge lunch. Make-up classes are starting up again in September this year, dates and times will be published in the next Polare. Workshops in the planning include dressing and presentation. A confirmed date and theme will also be announced in the next edition of Polare. If you would like more information call on 9569 2366.

Finally the Art Project is seeking donations of bathroom tiles for the mosaic table they are creating for the outside area of the Gender Centre all donations would be greatly appreciated.

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.