Editorial

by Katherine Cummings

(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.)

Not much room to spread my wings in this issue but welcome to 2006 in any event. I would like to add to the chorus of good wishes for Elizabeth Anne Riley, who is leaving us for new challenges. Apart from our missing her for her professional contribution it always added to the interest of the day to have more than one Elizabeth Riley on the staff. It guaranteed confusion and I suggested more than once that everyone on the staff should change his or her name by deed poll to Elizabeth Riley. This might have created the kind of confusion which results when you try to find a specific Mr. Dai Jones in a Welsh village. Ah well, another lost opportunity.

This issue carries an article by Monica Helms about the Transgender Veterans of America (T.V.A.), an organisation for transgenders who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Monica is interested in going international and has suggested any Australians interested should apply to join the T.V.A.. My own feeling, as expressed in earlier issues, is that we should have a clear idea of what such a veterans' association might achieve in Australian terms. Any suggestions? Or should we simply arrange to get drunk and play two-up together next Anzac Day?

Laura Seabrook is back with one of her thought provoking graphic essays (I can't call them comic strips as there is nothing comic about them). Laura's work is always challenging and I hope to use more in future issues.

There is also a piece by Emily Alpert in California, ("Gender Outlaws") outlining some of the problems encountered by transgendered folk in Californian prisons. Some of the treatment of transgenders in California seems quite discriminatory and inhumane. The Gender Centre Outreach Officer, who looks after transgendered inmates in our prison system has promised a comparative commentary on the treatment of transgender prisoners here. It is also worth noting that our printer, Outbreak Design and Print, is active in the campaign to improve conditions and enforce human rights laws in our prison system.

A piece by Ruth Padawer ("Like It Or Not, She's Still Dad") records yet another case of a family staying together after the transition of one parent, a situation which seems to be more and more acceptable in society as the years pass. Those of us who saw our families torn apart by transgender issues, and who lost the love of those closest to them because we finally lost a struggle against the need to transition, can only applaud the acceptance given to our transgender brothers and sisters and hope that the climate of acceptance becomes the norm rather than being the exception.

There is a book review of Alice in Genderland by Tracie O'Keefe and a piece by Gwendolyn Ann Smith on job hunting soon after transition. Several of these pieces are reprinted from the U.S.A. by permission. What about some home-grown material?

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.