Back To the Main SiteTransgender Day or Remembrance 2009
This year A Gender Agenda held a candle lit memorial in Glebe Park to commemorate Transgender Day or Remembrance. The event was well attended, and we had a speaker from Amnesty International, and a local transsexual/intersex activist to read the List of the Dead.
Last year I spoke calling for unity among the Sex and Gender Diverse community. This year, I looked outside the community to government, community and medical institutions, calling for them to include and accept sex and gender diversity as a natural part of life.
My speech is behind the jump.
Gender Rights Art Exhibition Opening!
The Gender Rights Art Exhibition opened on Monday the 16th of November. The opening was a huge success, with about 70 people in attendance, and some of the art being purchased by other community organisations.
Peter gave a moving speech at the opening. You can read it beyond the cut. The ACT Human Rights commission also sent a speaker, who’s speech you can download in PDF Format here.
ACT Social Plan Consulation
The ACT Government is currently conducting a community consultation which may interest members of A Gender Agenda and NewCTN.
“The ACT Government would like your input into the update of the 2004 Canberra Social Plan.
The 2004 Canberra Social Plan has a vision that Canberra is a place “where all people reach their potential, make a contribution and share the benefits of the community”.
The ACT Government is again seeking community views to help shape the next stage of the Territory’s Social Plan. We invite you to join the conversation. “
I’d strongly encourage anyone with a bit of time to sign up for the forums and start waxing eloquent about the needs of the trans, intersex and genderqueer populations of Canberra. The more voices that speak up, the better. We gain visibility, not only within government departments, but also in the wider community as other non-LGBT members of the Canberra region read our responses.
Possible things you could consider bringing up:
- The need for crisis accommodation for sex and gender diverse people
- The need for a safe non-commercial social space for sex and gender diverse people to meet
- The lack of trained medical professionals in general, and specifically ones aware of sex and gender diverse issues
- The need for funded sex and gender diverse organisations, run by and for sex and gender diverse people
- The need for a program that targets innovative social enterprises and provides them with support that allows them to more effectively service the community.
To get involved in the consultation, check out the website: http://bangthetable.com/actsocialplan
For more information about the consultation see here: http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/policystrategic/socialplan/developing_an_update
QWIRE YOUTH PROJECT
The Canberra Qwire is a non-auditioned choir, welcoming all members of our community, in a safe, social environment, and works together to performing music for our community, Canberra and the ACT, Australia and internationally.
They have requested that A Gender Agenda advertise their fabulous youth project, and we are more than happy to oblige! Qwire have made a fantastic effort to create an environment where they hope that trans, intersex and genderqueer youth will feel comfortable participating. I strongly recommend that if you have any interest in music, you consider getting involved.
They are seeking interested participants who would like to take on roles in singing, production, development, design, music and lyrics writing and arranging, and anything you else can think of, to develop and produce a public performance and commercial recording of an “event”.
Any way, here’s the info:
Participants aged 16-25, who identify as Lesbian or Gay, Trans or Intersex, bisexual or any other colour of our rainbow are who we are looking for!
Not only will participants produce their own performance, but they will be supported, coached, and joined by members from the Qwire, as well as music and production professionals from around Canberra, ACT and nationally.
Participants will also be encouraged and welcomed to join with the Qwire for a number of other events including:
How do I participate?
We will be holding a public meeting at 6pm on Tuesday 24th, for interested participants to come and hear more about the project, to meet and talk with Qwire members, and sit in on a Qwire rehearsal, just following our “Light and Fluffy” concert Late November.
Venue will be ANU Music Department, Llewellyn Hall, Level 5, Lecture Theatre 2. Please let us know if you wish someone to meet you there.
At this meeting, we will clarify questions about the project and seek your expression of interest, to commence working on the project, writing your own music and words, designing, developing and all the things that go with it, in the near year.
Those registering their interest prior to the meeting will also be invited to attend the “Light and Fluffy”, concert free of charge – with our guests, Can Belto (one of Canberra’s favourite choirs – other than us!),
Please contact the project Chef de Partie, Tim Little (Qwire Assistant Musical Director), on 0422210768 or cooltim@westnet.com.au to confirm your attendance, to register your interest and receive details of the “Light and Fluffy” concert.
You can also contact us on canberraqwire@yahoo.com.au for more information about the Qwire, and our regular season – you are welcome to join us
Sex and Gender Diverse Community Consultation
A Gender Agenda is holding a community consultation to gather information about what the sex and gender diverse community wants from a community space.
Why do we need a Community Space?
Because there are more and more of us in Canberra, and we are becoming more and more vocal! And with growing visibility comes growing demand. This demand simply can’t be met without having a space of our own… a community space.
And we do mean a community space – a space that is run by and for the community – a space that the community truly “owns”. Which is where YOU come in!
We want to hear your dreams!
What will we call this “space of our own”? What functions could this space serve? What services do you think are most urgently needed? What activities would you love to see offered? What do you dream might be achieved in 1 year? 3years? 10 years?
Please come along – to share your own ideas, to hear what other people have to say, and to be part of your community space right from the very beginning.
DATE: Monday, 30th of November 2009
TIME: 5.30 – 8.30 PM
LOCATION: Room 6, Level 1, Griffin Centre
Genge St, Civic
Contact: peter@genderrights.org.au
WE UNDERSTAND THAT NOT EVERYONE CAN MAKE IT BY 5.30PM. PLEASE COME ALONG EVEN IF YOU NEED TO ARRIVE LATE.
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