Issue 124

JANUARY 2013
ISSN 1835-4637

Australian TRANSGENDER SUPPORT Association of Queensland. Inc.

ABN 13 319 522 768

07 3843 5024
atsaq.inc@gmail.com atsaq.com PO Box 212 New Farm QLD 4005

If truth be told, I was anxious about attending the Past Pupils Mass. I knew I'd stand out like a sore thumb, not only because I would be the only man there but also because I knew I'd be one of the younger past pupils to attend. Still, I decided not to bring anyone as my security blanket. I wanted to experience the event without the encumbrance of a person who might have their own ideas about what was going to happen or who might need my attention. Besides, neither of my sisters nor my best friends (all All Hallows' Women) wanted to attend. They aren't yet ready. I was early and hung around in the driveway between Aquinas and the Chapel. There was another man there but he was attached to an All Hallows' Woman attending the 50 year reunion. His wife smiled at me and asked whether I was "checking out the old ducks". It broke the ice and I laughed with her. I hesitated in responding because I wasn't there to make a scene. But her and her husband's faces were so kind that I couldn't lie to them. "No, umm, actually, this is a little embarrassing to explain and I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, but, actually, umm, I used to attend this school." The confusion on the couple's faces forced me to clarify, "I used to be a girl but have been living as a man since I was 18. I'm a bit nervous

about not knowing anyone." The looks of confusion quickly turned to compassion. "Oh wow. Congratulations." I blushed. We shared some small talk about our respective times as All Hallows' Girls until their friends turned up and I was once again alone. It was a sign of things to come. In the chapel, I somehow ended up sitting in the middle of the 30 year reunion group. Their excitement at

someone in her life who is gay. I felt like perhaps I was meant to be there listening to the struggles of her life (not related to sexuality or gender identity) and to point her in the direction of resources she might be able to give her family member.

The mass started. It was my first mass since late 1996 (not counting the open air mass at the 150 year reunion last year). It all came flooding back to me: the words, the hymns and the timing about when to stand, sit or kneel. As I relaxed into the mass I started to really listen to the Bishop's sermon. He spoke of tolerance within the church community and the need to be disciples of Jesus. He described the importance of faith over judgement. He said "it's time to stop fighting over who's right and who's wrong" and to celebrate lives lived in Jesus' example. After feeling rejected by the Church since my seeing each other after the passage of transition from female to male in 1998, three decades was palpable. Many of this touched me deeply. It gave me these women (now in their forties) hope. Here I was in a congregation who hadn't seen each other since they were had shown me acceptance hearing one 17 year old girls graduating high school. of our local Church leaders say the They recognised each other and rushed words I've been waiting so long to hear. to share their stories from the past thirty Perhaps I no longer had to live my years. One of these women started to spiritual life in solitude. Perhaps I would talk to me, thinking I must somehow be be welcomed back into the Church to related to their group. We shared openly celebrate my faith and stories. She too congratulated me and relationship with God. A seed was asked me questions that might help (Continued on page 2)
ATSAQ UPDATE | ISSUE 124 | JANUARY 2013 | PAGE 1

OBJECTIVES of ATSAQ
> To provide Queenslands transgender population with such support as our resources can permit. > To continue a program of public education aimed at changing the negative images which the community may have with transgender people. > To provide support for family and friends of transgender people and help with understanding issues involved.
(Continued from page 1)

> To provide information on medical and health services available to transgender people. > To continue to address the problem of legal recognition and human rights for transgender people in the state of Queensland. Membership is available upon request. Pick a form up at the luncheon or we can post one to you. Fees for membership are $30 pa single & $50 pa couple.

If you require one to one counselling or would like to meet in a friendly, unconventional atmosphere, please contact us 07 3843 5024 8am-6pm weekdays. Write to us; PO box 212 NEW FARM Q 4005 trans.atsa@bigpond.com atsaq.com

embraced by this community. I felt no judgement or dismissal. Everyone I spoke with encouraged me to keep attending past pupils' functions. They shared their stories and lives with me. I The morning tea was AMAZING! Aquinas Hall felt more like a learned about their sons and daughters, about their school high tea cafe than the place where we used to play sports and years, about their husbands and partners, and about their attend dances. I found a seat at a table with a mix of people. experiences. There was a young woman I used to be friends with who finished school a year ahead of me and her female partner. A few weeks after the Past Pupils' Mass I worked up the There were two sisters in their late thirties who were the only courage to send an email to my local priest, Fr Marce of St women from their year at the celebration. And then three Matthews' Parish in Loganholme. I told him about my deep generations of women from one family, including a sprightly faith and relationship with God. I told him I am a transgender 93 year old lady, her daughter (not an All Hallows' Woman) man and that I understand the Church's official position is not and a recently graduated All Hallows' Girl. I spoke briefly with one of support. I mentioned the Bishop's sermon at the Past my former friend but the years have changed us differently and Pupils' Mass and that it gave me hope I might be welcomed we soon ran out of things to talk about. So I just enjoyed the back into the Church. Fr Marce sent a response to welcome atmosphere and listening to all the happy voices around me. me into his Church. He said that no matter what judgement people give, God loves all his children, including me. It took a I have rarely felt so strongly that I was meant to be couple of weeks before I worked up the courage to attend somewhere as I did that afternoon. I enjoyed hearing about my Sunday mass. But from the moment the service began I felt a new 93-year-old friend's experiences as a secondary student in strong sense of peace. the 1940s; a time I can only visualise in the way it is portrayed on television. During the conversation, my new If I hadn't had the courage to disclose my past to Lenore from friend asked me how I came to be at the celebration. Again I the All Hallows' Past Pupils' Association, I never would have paused to consider my response. I wasn't there to offend or given the All Hallows' Women a chance to accept me. If I shock anyone. I was there to honour the girl I was before I hadn't attended the 150th Anniversary and Past Pupils' Mass I became the man I am today. But I also felt it would be rude to never would have allowed myself to feel that acceptance. If I lie to my new friend. So I told her in much the same way as I hadn't attended the Past Pupils' Mass I wouldn't have heard told the couple earlier in the day. I mumbled a bit and that sermon. And if I hadn't heard that sermon I wouldn't have stumbled a bit. At first my new friend didn't understand what I found my way back to Church. Sure, religion isn't for everyone. meant. But then I mentioned that us young people do some But my faith is precious to me. My favourite show has always crazy modern things and that I changed my gender when I been Touched by an Angel. I feel so privileged that I can was 18 years old. Suddenly she realised and accepted this celebrate my faith and individuality within a community of fact as just that, a fact about me. It didn't suddenly become faithful, both at All Hallows' and St Matthew's. my identity or a reason to dislike me. As a transgender man I never gave up hope of finding After my table dispersed, I spoke again with the couple from acceptance or a community of faith. I just never imagined that earlier in the day and with Lenore, the school contact who has being a member of the Past Pupils' Association of All Hallows' been welcoming from the moment I first made contact with School would be result in my being so doubly blessed to find the Past Pupils' Association in May 2011. The women I spoke both. with just accepted me as one of their own. They didn't know me from Adam but knew I had been an All Hallows' Girl. A by Andrew Gills. 3/12/12. part of my history of which I'm incredibly proud. Proud not just Note: Andrew is a Life Time Member of ATSAQ for the education I received but also for the way I have been sown. Disclaimer For writers wishing to be anonymous, a non-de-plume will suffice, providing a contact number is supplied. ATSAQ is committed to healthy debate and/or constructive criticism upon any subject, we reserve the right to omit material, which is offensive or inappropriate for publication Ideas and opinions in this publication are not necessarily those of ATSAQ or those of our advertisers. Articles appearing in THE UPDATE are written expressly for ATSAQ unless otherwise stated. All articles may be reprinted providing that the source and author is acknowledged.
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NEWS and EVENTS

LADYBOYS
"Ladyboys", an original 6-part factual series looking at the lives of Thailand's ladyboys. The series, originally aired in May [2012] on Sky Living HD (UK), gives an insight into a sector of Thai society which makes up 1 per cent of the population. Although non, pre and post op transsexuals are openly accepted by Thai society, ladyboys are not officially recognised as women, even after they have a sex change, and the series follows the ladyboys who are challenging perceptions and campaigning for the law to change. It also looks at the relationships that are formed between Thai ladyboys and Western men, looking further than the sex tourism' stereotype at the bonds that are formed and the tender relationships that develop. And as Thailand leads the world in sex reassignment surgery, the series spends time with people from all over the world who make the pilgrimage to change gender and their lives forever. As many ladyboys fight for official acceptance, they also struggle to make a life for themselves in traditional careers. So the series also look at the worlds where lady boys can find financial successvisiting the resort of Pattaya where ladyboys from all over the world gather annually to compete for the title of Miss International Queen. Instant fame and celebrity status awaits the winner, like that of Nong Poy, Thailand's most famous lady boy TV Star. The series is currently being rebroadcasted in Australia by ABC2 Fridays 9:30pm and repeated Tuesdays 11:00pm on ABC2. It is also available on the ABC-TV iview online. http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/ series/11984

ANDREWs MARATHONS
So, I was running all those marathons. What a disaster that turned out to be. I got injured over in Perth at the City to Surf Marathon and haven't been able to run since. First I had some serious problems with my shins and then, once that cleared up, my back went. I am finally on the mend after four painful and frustrating months. I have spent quite a bit of time feeling depressed and helpless ... and even more time feeling like a failure. But I'm working my way through that now and hope to be all fixed up again by Christmas. It's going to be a long time before I can run another marathon or ultra marathon but that's life.

Australian TRANSGENDER SUPPORT Association of Queensland. Inc. ABN 15 319 522 768 PO Box 212 NEW FARM Q 4005 trans.atsa@bigpond.com atsaq.com 07 3843 5024 8am-6pm weekdays ATSAQ is run from a private residence

PRESIDENT: Gina Mather SECRETARY: Kristine Johnson ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT: Roz Ferguson SPECIAL THANKS: Aunty Pat & Sally many, many things Lesley Volunteer at Brisbane Gender Clinic

All the best Andrew, ATSAQ.

Queensland Transgender, Sistergirl, and Gender Diverse Conference

Presentations, evaluations and Speakers notes are on the Trans Conference website - it is still getting about 60 hits a day so is a popular website. Have a look and download your choices of interest. Please share with your Treating Doctors as this may assist them. http://www.transconference.org.au/ index.html

ATSAQ UPDATE | ISSUE 124 | JANUARY 2013 | PAGE 3

The Christmas New Year break is an advertisement for joy, happiness family get-togethers and all things that represent the festive season with good will to all.

Krissy and I hosted a meeting, at THE HOUSE with Steve Minniken, Member for Chatsworth and Secretary to the minister for Transport. Several topics covering all areas were Whilst this would be the case in the raised and discussed and while it is early majority of the populace, we at ATSAQ find days, I felt that Steve was genuine in his that at this time of year it can be concerns over transgender issues. demanding to members of our community As someone whom has been involved with who are finding out that family rejection, union and political games for over 40 years loss of so-called friends can lead to I would hope that I can observe if someone loneliness and depression. is there just for political gain and, whilst I could be wrong, Steve Minniken gave me This year was no different as many the impression that he would be pursuing invitations we were going to had to be put what was discussed. on hold as emergencies came up which necessitated us having to attend to post haste. This months Luncheon on the 26th will be However I hope that those invites will be different in that it will be one in which it is extended to this year and with luck we will the Australia Day weekend. be there with bells ringing. Yatala Pies plus will be the order of the day but as well we have a Coles Myer A big part of tradition has come to pass $150 gift card. with the General Manager of the Sportsman Hotel, Paul Kratzman, We will be limiting the tickets to only 15 departing the iconic hotel after 16 years. people at $10 each. Lucky door prize will still be part of the day. Paul made ATSAQ and members always welcome. He was always helping out in any fundraising activities for the LGBT March 10th is the Wickham Hotels annual communities. BIG GAY DAY and ATSAQ have been honoured with other organisations, to be The dulcet tones of Paul at the annual recipients of the day. Bake-Off Day will be missed and hard to replace. I personally held Paul in high As such we will be requiring volunteers to esteem as he was always upfront with my assist during the day and afternoon. dealings with him and I felt confident in our friendship. Anyone who can donate four hours or more of their time please contact me on 3843 Pauls work ethic and knowledge of the 5024 or 0400 958 700. Hotel industry will gain him a position in the not too distant future.

26th JANUARY 2013

11am
You are invited to come and enjoy the company, the conversations, and share knowledge or learn new things. Yes its the ATSAQ Luncheon ~ Choice of YATALA PIES Garden Green Salad Dessert Mystre Wine, tea & coffee Vegetarians also catered for please advise when booking ~ Lucky Door Prize Cost $15 ATSAQ Members $10 Contact ATSAQ 07 3843 5024 atsaq.inc@gmail.com by Jan 23 20123to reserve your place and for the Venue address ~All are Welcome~ (you do not have to be a member to attend)

ATSAQ UPDATE | ISSUE 124 | JANUARY 2013 | PAGE 4