Another Groundbreaking Win For Australian Trans People

The trans folks Down Under have been giving us a lot of good news on the international trans human rights front lately. 

First it was the Australian Defence Forces lifting their ban on trans soldiers last year.   Then came last month's ruling that stated trans Aussies can get passports issued in their new gender without surgical intervention.

Now the Australian High Court, the equivalent of the SCOTUS issued an October 6 ruling in the recent case of two transmen who had chest surgeries done, were on testosterone but when they attempted to get identity documents changed to reflect male status they were rebuffed.

The High Court ruled in their favor, stating that a person is identified as male or female by their external characteristics, not their sexual organs  
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The decision has been welcomed by Australian transgender support groups, and also brings Australia into line with South Africa, Great Britain and some other European countries.

Congrats to my Australian brothers and sisters, it was long overdue and I'm exceedingly happy, proud and pleased for you.  

I also have to remind everyone that the Australian success in advancing trans rights law is something we can build on since our trans human rights struggle is an international one.   

But the Australian success prompts me to ask as an American when are we, the 'so called leading democracy in the world, going to lead on trans human rights issues instead of lag behind?

We Are Not Defined By Our Genitalia

I've said this multiple times on this blog and will continue to say it until you peeps embed this point in your brain cells.   You need to focus on what's between a transperson's ears, not their legs.

I'm tired of repeating this obvious point ad nauseum, but if that's what it takes for you recalcitrant gay and straight cis people and elements of the trans community to get it, so be it.   

It's none of your business what's between mine or any transperson's legs unless you wish to get intimate with us or have a long term relationship leading to permanent coupling.  

Another point that needs to be stressed is that what's between our ears and in our hearts is more important than what's between our legs. Our genitalia shouldn't be the major determinant defining us or the extent of a transperson's civil and human rights coverage.


But I have to ask this question.   Do you cis people only define yourself by your genitalia?  Is your sense of manhood or womanhood defined by the genitals between your legs?  

If you answered no to that question, then why do you insist on doing so to transpeople?  
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We are not defined by our genitalia.   We are at the point in the second decade of the 21st century of being beyond sick and tired of being sick and tired of people focusing on what's between our legs. 

How we express our gender identity to the world and whats between our ears determines who we are

ABC's Primetime Nightline Focusing On Trans Kids Tomorrow

Tomorrow' ABC will broadcast a Primetime Nightline segment starting at 10 PM EDT/9 PM CDT that will focus on transkids. 

The segment will focus on 'Princess Boy' Dyson Kilodavis, Germany's Kim Petras, who started her transition at age 10 and is believed to have been the youngest person ever at age 16 to receive SRS surgery , ten year old Jackie in Ohio and 19 year old New Yorker Vanessa.

It will also have on it Charles Kane, the poster boy for detransition and critic of early transitions.  

While I felt they could have done this segment with having him on it, the notepad will be in hand to check out the broadcast.

It Takes A Village To Enforce The Gender Binary

An old African proverb states that it takes a village to raise a child.  I've tweaked that proverb to reflect a truism I've observed when it comes to the gender binary.

It takes a village to enforce the gender binary.

That societal village enforcement of the gender binary starts the millisecond you come out of the birth canal.

The doctor does that cursory check of genitalia to decide whether you get an 'M' or 'F' on your birth certificate complete with masculine or feminine name and you are presented to your eager parents wrapped in either a blue or pink blanket.  

Everything from the clothing you wear to how you are socialized by your family and society reinforces that gender binary, and anyone who deviates a millmeter from what society thinks is proper behavior or appearance for a man or woman gets serious pressure from society to be pushed back on either the 'M' or 'F' side of the gender fence.

Think I'm kidding?   Ask Sam Saurs about getting suspended  from school because he wore feminine attire to class.  Little boy sees his mother polishing her nails, asks her to do the same for him, but asks her to take the polish off before he goes to school on Monday morning because he gets misgendered and teased by his peers for that.  

When it comes to sports, ask any boy what he gets called or derisively told if he doesn't measure up to showing an acceptable to his peers level of sports performance.   He plays like a girl.

If a boy prefers playing with Barbies to playing with trucks, likes wearing dresses or is in a print ad having his toenails polished in pink, oh my God it's a full blown societal crisis because he isn't expressing masculinity the way society thinks a masculine child should..    

Don't even get me started on what transpeople have to deal with. 

It's just as hard on women and girls in terms of the ways femininity is expressed and enforced.   Peer pressure kicks in to tease you about your breast size if you're a card carrying member of the IBTC or your puberty kicks in late.  Don't sit with your legs open.   If you're a little more worldly than your peers in the dating game or assertive, out come the gender based slurs to tag you with.

If you have ultra short hair, a slightly muscular build, or don't wear makeup on a regular basis along with dresses or heels you are derided as 'masculine'.   

If you play sports as a girl and exhibit the types of skills that women allegedly aren't supposed to be capable of such as power dunking a basketball, hitting a tennis ball at 130 mph or run eye popping times in races, you get 'that's a man' shade thrown at you too.   Ask Brittney Griner, the Williams sisters, and Caster Semenya about that.

Let's not forget popular culture and how it plays a role in gender policing.  A tagline for a beer commercial is to 'man up' and not be 'unmanly'.   Women tell each other they need to 'get their girl on'. 

Does it take a village to enforce the gender binary?   Sure does.