Gina Mather (L) who established Brisbane's 1st Gender Clinic in 1994 & ATSAQ Secty Kristine Johnson Under resourced transgender medical services across Queensland are buckling under the pressure of high demand and with no funding are at risk of having to shut their doors according to Gina Mather, President of the Australian Transgender Support Association of Queensland (ATSAC). Mather (pictured with ATSAQ Secretary Kristine Johnson) was instrumental in the establishment of the first Gender Clinic in Brisbane back in 1994 and since that time has seen the program spread throughout the state, relying on the “goodwill and favour” of local doctors. However, there are now fears that without Government support for staff and training, the consequences could be dire. “The most significant risk confronting the state’s transgender service is that of an increasing caseload that has exceeded current resources,” Mather told QNews. “This poses a number of risks to patients as a result of under-servicing and long waiting lists, including transgender persons accessing hormone treatment without appropriate assessment by either self medicating with drugs obtained on the street or accessing inadequately trained GPs. Mather also fears that the already high rate of transgender suicide may return to the unacceptable levels seen before access to the Gender Clinics was made available eighteen years ago. One of the main problems is the lack of trained specialist due to the time consuming and complex nature of transgender medicine. For this reason ATSAQ has been calling on the State Government to provide funding for the specialist training required as well as core funding to ensure that all Queensland sexual health clinics at least have one or two people staff members who are very well aware of transgender health issues. To date neither the State, nor Federal Governments have shown interest in funding the project. “Queensland Health has for too long taken an ad hoc approach,” Mather explained. “These services do not only transform lives, they also save them.”
A well written & informative article. Let's hope that the Government begins to acknowledge that funding in this area could actually save lives! Martine.
Ms Jessica Johnson
PO Box 6038
Buranda, Qld 4012
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Premier Anna Bligh
Queensland Government
Dear Premier Bligh,
I am writing to you with regards to the decreasing services available for transgender people in Queensland.
I am referring to the article in QNEWS http://qnews.com.au/article/qld-transgender-services-risk whereas Gina Mather & Chrissie Johnson, have worked tirelessly over the past years to help transgender people in more ways than one.
The figures for transgender murders, assaults, rapes throughout the world are unbelievably high and shocking.
The figures for transgender suicide are known to be extremely high and it decreases when services and support are available to transgender people.
New South Wales has “The Gender Centre” funded by the New South Wales Government. http://www.gendercentre.org.au/index.htm
Victoria has the Monash Medical & Southern Cross Medical Centres funded by the Victorian Government.
http://www.southernhealth.org.au/page/GPs/Mental_Health/Gender_Dysphoria...
Queensland, has the Australian Transgender Support Association of Queensland, without and Government funding. http://www.atsaq.com/
In the early 2000’s I open “The Queensland Gender Centre” whereas I provided accommodation for up the 5 people who had any sort of gender disorder, I was soon discriminated against and forced to sell my property in Kedron due to the hatred and backlash from neighbours.
Funding towards services for transgender or gender identity people are needed to come in line with other states whereas ATSAQ can assist many more people and offer services and assistance as transgender people seem to be forgotten about and those who really care need help in being able to continue to help others.
This article raised awareness of the problems transgender people go through.
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/transgender-people-most-likely-abused-20110504...
Transgender people most likely abused
Adele Horin
May 5, 2011
THE Human Rights Commissioner, Catherine Branson, has called on the federal government to introduce federal laws to protect people from discrimination on the grounds of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
''The commission's consultation revealed numerous and distressing stories of how people's lives had been impacted and damaged by discrimination, violence or bullying on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity,'' she said.
Current federal anti-discrimination laws do not afford protection to gays, lesbians, bisexual, transsexual or intersex (those of indeterminate sex) people, although the Fair Work Act prohibits discrimination in work matters against gays and lesbians.
State legislation is inconsistent and incomplete and it is unclear whether its reach covers those working in federal bodies.
Ms Branson said federal legislation, apart from providing uniform and comprehensive protection, would be an important symbolic statement which would help bring about attitudinal change.
She said despite many people today being more comfortable around gays and lesbians, the commission heard distressing stories of discrimination and violence, including of ''very troubling'' bullying in the school yard.
Ms Branson said the most distressing and egregious examples of violence came from people who were intersex or who were transitioning from male to female or the other way round.
A 2010 survey found that 92 per cent of trans women and 55 per cent of trans men reported they had been the subject of verbal abuse, and 46 per cent and 36 per cent respectively had been punched kicked or beaten; almost 40 per cent of trans women reported having been attacked with knives, bottles or rocks.
The report, Addressing Sexual Orientation and Sex and/or Gender Identity Discrimination, also heard examples of discrimination in nursing homes, in the healthcare system, in sporting clubs, and in the use of toilets and change rooms.
Thank you for your time in this matter
Jessica Johnson
Hello to all i just have this petition up for now and will update info as i gather it, this is just stage one at the moment, we need to help ATSAQ remain open, please help sign, share, tweet and email, many thanks. :) xx http://www.change.org/petitions/save-atsaq#
Without the Gender Clinic I might not be alive today. I was 18 years old when Gina and Krissy helped me find the clinic. Dr Bearman was so professional and caring. Without her help I would not have been able to access the professionals I needed to help me become the happy, healthy, productive and caring man I am today. That was 14 years ago in July ... I hope the Gender Clinic is able to continue and that it is able to get enough funding ... and that other doctors in the community are able to receive training in transgender health.
It appears that the Queensland Government fail to assist "Transgender" people which is a bloody disgrace and something needs to be done.
Jessica J
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