Thread by @AramHosie

So this week, #springst debates a Bill to make it easier for #trans and gender diverse Victorians to get documents that reflect who we really.

That debate is likely to get ugly and stupid so here’s a thread.

Firstly, if you’re a #trans or gender diverse person, feel free to look/step away now.

You don’t have to participate in this if it hurts you. Look after yourself, and each other.

And if the debate takes its toll and you need support reach out to @switchboard_vic or QLife

Secondly. If you know or love a trans or gender diverse person, look out for them for the next little bit. And stand up for/with them. I’m looking especially as you, other letters of the #LGBTIQ alphabet. We need you now please.

Thirdly. Those opposed to these changes are going to put up a whole bunch of argument against this law.

They are, frankly, bullshit, and designed to confuse, distract and stoke fear.

Toilets, change rooms, & other single sex spaces will inevitably be raised as something people are “concerned about”.

But this law is about changing birth certificates. I don’t know about you, but I have never, EVER had to show my birth certificate to access a public loo.

Some will argue this makes it easier for male sexual predators to access women’s spaces.

It won’t.

Again - no one is checking birth certificates *today.

And the idea that someone prepared to commit an abhorrent crime in a public space is first waiting for birth certificate laws to change defies logic.

Regardless of birth certificate laws or records, assault will always be assault. It will still be just as illegal.

Also PS if we’re going to talk assaults in bathrooms, then the research would show that is in fact trans and gender diverse people who are particularly at risk of being the potential *victims and not perpetrators.

Those arguing against trans women being permitted to access women’s spaces are
(1) being utterly horrible to trans women and
(2) living in denial of the fact that men like me (aka trans men) exist.

Well, I do. We do.
If you want to argue *against trans women in women’s spaces, then what you are arguing FOR is men like me being in women-only spaces instead. Have a good look at my picture. Is that really what you want?

From personal experience - that is NOT what women want.

This law isn’t radical. Very similar versions already operate in other places around the world, including in South Australia, the ACT and the NT. There is no evidence that women are suddenly more unsafe in those places.

In fact in many ways, Victorian law is *behind the real world practices of sporting clubs and health, homelessness & family violence services, which have been proactively working to be more inclusive of trans folks for years - with no ill effects.

Then there’s an argument about the proposed changes creating policing/security risks or challenges.

This is almost too laughable to spend any time addressing, but I will anyway.

Firstly, if changing the sex on your birth certificate is all it takes to utterly confuse and evade our police/correctional/intelligence services, then I reckon we’ve got far bigger things to worry about then these proposed laws.

Secondly, the alternative is that the status quo continues, whereby many trans people have a *different sex recorded on their two primary forms of ID (birth certificate and passport.) I’m thinking this presents a far greater risk than what is proposed.

Thirdly - police, correctional (etc) services in States where they have changed the law already are coping just fine and not raising security concerns.

I think Victorian services are at least as competent.

I’m sure someone will also claim to be concerned about the way this law proposes to deal with trans and gender diverse young people.

They’ll claim to be concerned FOR those young people.

If you really care about what trans and gender diverse young people need to be healthy and thrive, then STFU and listen to what they, their parents and their care professionals all say is in their best interests.

They all agree that the law needs to change.

Indeed, if you’re concerned about medical intervention on under 18yos, then you should *support these changes. The current law *requires* irreversible surgery take place. The proposed new law does not. That’s good. For everyone.

(Though just to be clear - “regret” is extraordinarily low, and just really not a thing. Still, it’s easier to change a piece of paper then to undo medical intervention, so let's just go with that, shall we?)

What this is really about is making it as easy for a trans person to change their records as it is for a person who changes their name (say even just because of marriage) to do so.

This matters because not having documents that match who we are creates nearly daily problems, from applying for jobs, to accessing services, to opening a bank account.

It’s uncomfortable at best, sometimes it can lead to discrimination, harassment, abuse and violence.

This is about the safety, health, wellbeing and dignity of trans and gender diverse people, and literally nothing else.

Thank you for introducing this Bill (again) @JillHennessyMP

Everyone else at #springst - let's get on and do this already.