Trans & Gender Diversity

June 18th 2020

Hey there Caddyshackers

We want to say a huge THANK YOU for joining us in our blog during Pride month. It is so important to come together to grow and learn from each other.

What does Trans and Gender Diverse mean?

In our last blog we introduced ACON, NSW’s leading organisation for gender diversity. ACON tells us that the umbrella term Trans and Gender Diverse (TGD) describes a population of people whose gender is different to what was presumed for them at birth.

We recognise and celebrate the diversity of the TGD experience, so when we use the term ‘trans and gender diverse’, ‘trans’ and  ‘transgender’ we mean all people who are not cisgender.

What is Cisgender?

Cisgender is a term used to describe people whose gender is the same as that was presumed for them at birth (male or female). ‘Cis’ is a Latin term meaning ‘on the same side as’.

The Gender Unicorn

If you are looking for a visual and interactive resource, The Gender Unicorn is one way to demonstrate that gender identity, gender expression, sex assigned at birth, and physical & emotional attraction exist on a continuum, not a binary. The Gender Unicorn was developed by Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER) to show that qualities can shift and move on this continuum.

Trans experience and identity

Trans people may position ‘being trans’ as a history or experience, rather than an identity, and consider their gender identity as simply being female, male or a non-binary identity. Some trans people connect strongly with their trans experience, whereas others do not. The processes of transition may or may not be part of a trans or gender diverse person’s life.” Read more about this on the ACON website or check out the TransHub.

Transgender Pride Flag

The Transgender pride flag was designed by Monica Helms, an American transgender woman, in August 1999 and who donated the original to the Smithsonian in 2014.

“The stripes at the top and bottom are light blue, the traditional color for baby boys. The stripes next to them are pink, the traditional color for baby girls. The stripe in the middle is white, for those who are intersex, transitioning or consider themselves having a neutral or undefined gender. The pattern is such that no matter which way you fly it, it is always correct, signifying us finding correctness in our lives.”

Are you an Ally?

An ally is someone who supports and advocates for the equal treatment of a community other than their own. Being an ally is not a destination or a label, it is an ever evolving state to move towards and therefore an ongoing process.

Want to be more inclusive?

Yes? That’s great! Here are some ways you can start to be more inclusive and move towards becoming an ally;

• Show you care

  • Wear the transgender pride flag badge on your lanyard or lapel to show you are open to discussing transgender matters

• Use the right pronouns. If you don’t know - ask!

  • Ask an individual which pronoun they would like to be referred to as: he/his, she/hers, them/they

• Know where to go

  • Be familiar with GPs and services who offer gender-affirming care – this will help with referrals

• Keep learning

  • Watch these seven TED talks on the Transgender experience

What we are loving right now

Right now we are loving book Finding Nevo by Nevo Zisin a young activist, student, writer and public speaker with a particular focus on issues surrounding gender, sex and sexuality.

Assigned female at birth, Nevo has had a complex relationship with gender, transitioning to present as male at the age of 17, undergoing different medical interventions and now identifying outside of a female / male gender binary.

They work particularly with children as a youth leader and through running programs and workshops in schools.

They are also a contact point in the Jewish community for other children and families confronting issues of gender and sexuality in their own lives. Finding Nevo is their first book.

Until next time,

Peace, Love & Protection

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