My View

T.L.C. or T.A.G. A Personal View

by Helen

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Regarding the issue of political differences between T.L.C. and T.A.G. and the article "A response to T.A.G.'s Perspective", I wish to raise a number of points for consideration, as someone who is not clearly represented or defined by either organisation.

I am not questioning that the Transgender Liberation Coalition played an instrumental part in the N.S.W. law reforms with respect to transsexuals, any more than I'm questioning their wider definition of gender is the better one, or that in this respect, N.S.W. is to the fore. Unfortunately I've not seen the transcript of the Bill and none of the analysis to date have included the definition of Transgender, including the excerpts in Polare edition 13. However, let's put things in perspective. Having read the writing of Aidy Griffin, norrie mAy welby and Jill Hooley and their personal concepts of gender (gender fluidity I believe Aidy calls it), I believe that this wider definition is of great relevance to them, and in this respect, for them to perhaps imply that other, less encompassing viewpoints, are put forward in self-interest is akin to the pot calling the kettle black.

In general terms I consider N.S.W. not to be at the fore, but more in the vanguard of a lot of other states including Holland, New Zealand and South Australia. Besides, let's not crow too early as we have yet to see the guidelines for the implementation of the new legislation. I also suspect that the success of the negotiations was as much due to the political climate being ready for change as anything else.

To me there appears to be a clear polarisation amongst so called Transsexuals. At one end of the spectrum are those who have had Gender Dysphoria since their early memories and have always desired to be the opposite sex to their physical characteristics. I will speak from now in terms of male to female as that is what I know. This group, in general, conforms to a fairly typical (stereotyped if you like) view of the female gender and may integrate successfully in the female role. Many have no great wish to be labeled as Transsexual, although for some, circumstances make this fact impossible to conceal. Whether we like it or not, once you are known as Transsexual you are treated differently from genetic women in a wide variety of circumstances. If you, like me, are at this end of the spectrum then T.A.G. may represent your views better perhaps than it's counterpart, T.L.C.

At the other end of the spectrum are those people with gender issues who adopt the female role either in full or part and who usually have no intention of fitting into a stereotypical role, and in particular, may feel no need for S.R.S. (Sex Reassignment Surgery). T.L.C. then, would clearly represent their needs better.

In the middle, amongst others, are those who, as Ruth Farmer in her article pointed out, have trouble integrating in the feminine role and also those who earn a living as sex workers. This tends to place them outside what is generally recognised by the wider community as acceptable female behaviour. Perhaps T.L.C. with it's wider gender views may represent them better.

We all have our rights as individuals and both groups need a change in public attitude to allow their members to lead their lives uncomplicated by needless prejudices. However, to believe that we can all fit under the one encompassing umbrella is to me ridiculous. It is better to recognise that we are different and have different requirements. Polare and the Gender Centre should provide a venue for us all to express ourselves without this expression resorting to personal criticism. There should be room for T.A.G., T.L.C. and others as necessary.

As should be clear by now, my own personal sympathy is with T.A.G. Organisations such as T.L.C. cannot adequately represent my views for a number of reasons which include the fact that I hope to integrate into the female community and therefore I believe the concept of gender fluidity has no relevance for me. I also choose to access the medical profession in order to achieve my desires, and have no wish to antagonise them with a political agenda. Furthermore, I do not have Trany Pride. In fact, I abhor the word trany. Transsexualism for me is a condition that I would prefer not to have, as I am glad I'm not asthmatic. However, I accept that I have the condition and by making appropriate adjustments can get on with my life in a manner that allows me to have pride in myself as a person. For these reasons, and many more, I feel that T.L.C. cannot represent me, particularly when I feel my viewpoints may be misinterpreted by the organisation as being elitist or irrelevant.

In retrospect I am happy if the T.L.C. has achieved the definition of gender which is clearly necessary for the lifestyle many of their members adopt, and while the T.L.C. has played a major part in the drafting of the new anti-discrimination legislation, in my opinion, they clearly have been pushing their own agenda to the possible exclusion of others. It should also be acknowledged that many other groups and individuals have also had significant input.

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.