Watch the video:

After a brief introduction, Kevin Hague, Green MP and Rainbow spokesperson launched the book. Also speaking were Mani Mitchell, myself and Hazel Edwards, co-author.

A diverse crowd gathered in Unity Books on a wintry evening in July to celebrate the launch of our novel, ‘f2m: the boy within’.

The evening featured an appearance by Hazel Edwards appeared via Skype from Melbourne, which was reminiscent of the collaboration process we used to write the book itself.

Kevin Hague, Green MP launched the book and spoke about his experiences in bookselling and the health sector.  He reminded us of the power of books, speaking of the support he found in the gay book section of his public library as a young gay man, and quoted Eleanor Roosevelt on universal human rights.

Mani Mitchell then brought her perspective as counsellor and intersex advisor.

Co-author Hazel Edwards joined us via Skype, in an amazing feat of technological mastery, possibly involving the wind blowing in the right direction.

Thanks to everyone who was involved and the great crew at Unity Books, Ford Street Publishing for all their support, and to everyone who reads ‘f2m: the boy within’.

A crowd gathers

Marion Castree from Unity Books

Kevin Hague MP speaks

Mani Mitchell speaks

Hazel Edwards on Skype from Melbourne, Australia

Ryan Kennedy speaking

An avid reader dives in!

New Zealand Transgender Inquiry Report.

Recently I attended the latest meeting for the Transgender Inquiry, run by the Human Rights Commission.  I’ve attended several other fairly highly-charged meetings where emotions ran hot. Transgender people and allies rarely have a forum like this to air our grievances and it shows. (We do air good things too, but there are usually more grievances than good things.)

Forums where transgender issues are discussed by transgender people can bring out some prejudices too. Like a relative of mine who married a European immigrant but never ceased to rail against Asian immigrants, we can’t always see when we are attacking ourselves by trying to raise standards.  Some trans people strongly believe boundary-pushers like Thomas Beatie are making us all look like freaks. (I personally will always support trailblazers like this.)

The Action list in the back of the report is a few pages long. It’s been split into 5 areas for immediate action, which I will repeat here so it has a permanent home:

• increasing participation of trans people in decisions that affect them
• strengthening the legal protections making discrimination against trans people unlawful
• improving access to health services, including gender reassignment services
• simplifying requirements for change of sex details on a birth certificate, passport and other documents
• giving urgent attention to the significant human rights issues experienced by intersex people

My submission was a description of my involvement with various medical and government organisations and the effect of this on my health and wellbeing. I had a rant, but a focused one. And yes, I read through the Inquiry Report looking for my quotes as well as reading it.

I was fairly sceptical when this process started, not being a big fan of government organisations. But I’m pleased with the work the Human Rights Commission have done and hope to have more time to contribute in the new year.