The Gender Centre: An Update

by Bill Robertson

It Feels Like the First Time

(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.)

The Winter Solstice Barbecue was a terrifying experience, initially. The unfounded fear that I felt turning up to a Barbecue and a house full of people that I did not know was, to say the least very scary. My anxiety levels were high as I arrived about three quarters of an hour late to the Barbecue. Getting lost, missing a turn or two and attempting to find the right path again I was cursing under my breath, "Goddamn, you'd think these bloody street directories would be easier to read". I was in full blame mode. Finally, a little faint voice in my head said, "Aren't we getting a little self centered ... ease up, slow down and take a few deep breaths, it will be all right. Ah, here is the right street, thank god". I park and wander towards the front door nonchalantly. I look through the open door at a group of people. My head started rabbiting on again, "Oh god, no familiar faces. The little voice said." You are not even inside the front door yet and your carrying on like a kid not a 44 year old." I ventured inside the front door past the offices and into the lounge room. Still no familiar faces. Finally in the kitchen area I spy two or three faces that I know. My levels of anxiety lower measurably and I breath a sigh of relief. "Hi L ..., hi M ..., haven't seen you two for some time. L ... I like the colour of your hair, it suits you." I nervously move from foot to foot like a melleril shuffle. Looking around for a drink, P comes my way offering me a drink. "Hi P, thanks for the drink, does it have any alcohol in it?" "No, this is an alcohol free gig." Slowly, the anxiety begins to subside after sitting down for a few minutes and I observe all the others in the room who are probably going through exactly the same feelings of inadequacy, if the truth be known.

I observe people interacting, usually stilted niceties to begin with and then a sense of comfortability sets in. People begin to mingle as the drinks and the food provide part of the props that allow a more comfortable transition.

This experience that I have identified above seems to be a natural part of being human. For me, this has been one of the biggest hurdles that I have had to overcome in my life to date. When I am in touch with my humanness and allow myself to feel what is happening then I know I am really alive.

As Project Manager of The Gender Centre I now am finding a level of comfortability that I am comfortable with. It seems to me the more I confront my fears the more comfortable within myself I become.

Gendys '94

During August and September this year we were invited to attend the 2nd European Network of Professionals on transsexualism held in conjunction with the Gendys '94 conference.

The conferences were held over four days at Manchester University, England. There were about 150 participants from a wide representation of services and countries. The conference also welcomed people who were not attached to any formal group but who had a personal interest in the area.

The first two days of the conference covered Bio Medical aspects including standards of care, surgical techniques and updates, research data, group psychotherapy and issues facing families.

The last two days of the conference were much more community focused with input from a variety of self help groups on topics around counselling, psychiatry, law, cross-dressing and androgyny.

Held concurrently was the F.T.M. Network's Annual Conference with an attendance of 60 boys accompanied by partners and friends. One part of this conference had a panel of surgeons from the Free University in Amsterdam and Psychiatrists from The Gender Identity Clinic in London. The panel answered a number of questions from the floor, an opportunity many of us here in Australia would love to have.

The conferences covered a range of topics, some more interesting than others, and the opportunity to liaise with other service providers was invaluable. However, the greatest encouragement was acknowledging how advanced Sydney is in regard to its discussions around gender and expression thereof.

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.