We wont be having any more events for a couple of weeks, as the SpringOut Pride festival swiftly approaches. Watch this space for advertisements for our events during November though!

Emergency services that are safe and accessible for trans people are not common in Canberra, and this places us in a ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ situation with some service providers. There are some services that may be problematic for trans people who do not pass, for sex/gender diverse people who are bisexual, genderqueer and intersexed people who identify outside of the binary and so on. This is unfortunate, but A Gender Agenda’s dealings with other organisations, as we urge them to adopt more inclusive policies, will never prevent us from redirecting sex and gender diverse people in need to an organisation that may be able to help them.

All that said, if you do approach an organisation that is listed on our website, and have a negative experience with them, please let us know. This allows us to not only modify our listing, but to contact the organisation, and try to work with them to create a more accepting environment for sex and gender diverse people. I firmly believe that most issues arise out of ignorance on the service providers part, and education can do much to eliminate difficulties for sex and gender diverse people in community organisations. After all, people don’t work in community orgs for the money! They do it because they are good people, and want to help the world be a better place!

The directory of support services will expand as time goes on, we plan on adding sections for medical practices, counselling services, domestic violence and rape crisis centers, support services for people with disabilities, indigenous people, youth, and financially disadvantaged people. If you have suggestions for any of those sections, also let us know!

The ACT Human Rights Act: What do recent changes mean for ACT Community
Organisations?

In 2009 amendments made to the ACT Human Rights Act come into effect, that
specify that “public authorities” must act in a way that is compatible with
and gives proper consideration to human rights. There is a right to bring a
complaint against public authorities if they fail to do so.

ACTCOSS is co-ordinating an information forum for ACT community
organisations on these changes to the ACT Human Rights Act, and what they
may mean for community organisations.

The ACT Human Rights Commission will provide an overview of the changes, and
other speakers will deliver information about possible impacts on your
organisation.

Where: Room 6, Griffin Centre, Genge St Canberra City
When: Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Light refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP to Brooke McKail on 6202 7222 or brooke.mckail@actcoss.org.au

Brooke McKail
Policy and Development Officer
ACT Council of Social Service Inc. (ACTCOSS)