P.M.'s Piece

by Bill Robertson & Sophie

(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 think the most significant event that has taken place since the last edition of Polare as far as the community is concerned is the completion of the filming of the long awaited video production of "Shattered Illusions". An educational video targeted at the community of people with gender issues (a Tribes funded project), reiterating the necessity of people to take personal and collegiate responsibility for safer sex and drug use. There may be people in the community who already have made personal resolutions regarding these issues, this video will reinforce any complacency issues that may be creeping in. The video also targets new girls coming onto the scene that may be exploring lifestyle options.

The community response and support to the video production was excellent. It was great to observe this process of community development and I personally feel that the community needs more of these types of projects. The video is currently in the final stages of post-production which means it should not be too long before it will be available. I'll leave it for you to be the judge upon release, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Sophie Tarrant has been employed as the Social and Support person for The Gender Centre. She will be introducing herself in this issue. One of her projects will be the production of the new health information pamphlet titled "Personal and Social Aspects". The preliminary draft was focused tested those who attended from the community on the 22nd December 1994, with some useful input.

On a sadder note, Jacques Monroe took his own life on the 6th December last year because he did not want to die of AIDS, his rationale being quite clear. He was a past member of The Gender Centre Management Committee who helped the Centre adopt harm minimisation principles under the Ottawa Charter guidelines. Rachelle Alexander, the previous Projects Manager, liaised with Jacques to receive his valuable professional input and moral support in the new direction that The Gender Centre was heading in its broader philosophical outlook.

Some people would be aware that there are people whose work and contributions in the area of H.I.V./ AIDS largely go unrecognised, especially those who work with the more marginalised people who have the virus or who are at risk. Jacques was one!

Introducing the Social & Support Project

Hi there, I'm Sophie Tarrant and I was appointed the Social and Support worker in November. As well as having gained a challenging new job, I have also become part of a community which is incredibly positive and supportive. I've got lots of ideas about my role as part of The Gender Centre team. But more to the point, I would like to hear what your ideas and needs are, what you see as important issues within the transgender community.

In a previous life I was a mild mannered public servant by day and an "established transsexual" by night. Psychiatrists have obviously never tried shopping at St Vinnies - how can you be established without ever finding that little black number which is an essential part of any girl's wardrobe? Working in Canberra did not seem like the ideal place to make my transition, so I took leave from work and wobbled in Glebe for six months in lots of makeup searching for the real me. Shortage of money forced me back to Canberra to the same office, which sent a few people reaching for their Prozac. (I had not told anyone at work about my little problem). When I finally managed to get a transfer back to Sydney eighteen months later I had the dubious distinction of having left the same office twice - as different people.

Looking back I can say that I came out of it a stronger person, but all of us pay a high cost for being tranys and lovers and family and friends. I think The Gender Centre is a marvellous resource for building on the positive aspects of our community. So far I have met lots of fabulous and glamorous people at the last few barbecues but there are lots of you I am still looking forward to meeting. Wednesday mornings between 10:00am and 12 noon is now a drop in period, so please note that in your diary. I am also in the process of starting special interest groups which will meet in the evenings on a fortnightly basis (see details on page 15). Please contact me if you are interested.

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.