1. The third sex – the emergence oftransgender menand women
Russell Grenning
What wouldyoudo if,hypothetically,dearoldUncle Bobsuddenlyannouncedthathe now wished
to be referredtoas AuntyRobertaor if any of yourchildrenorgrandchildren announcedthatthey
wantedtochange sex?
Wouldyoube shocked?Well,that’sunderstandable.Wouldyoube understanding,respectful and
supportive?Well,thatismostprobably...well,problematic.
The AustralianHumanRightsCommissioniscurrentlycompletinganational consultationproject
lookingatthe legal andnon-legislative challengesfacedbyAustraliansonthe basisof sexual
orientationandgenderidentity.AccordingtoTimWilson,the Federal HumanRightsCommissioner,
“The problemsare enormousand span every levelof government,aswellas accessto basichuman
services thatmostof us takefor granted.Too often,theseissuesfall through thecracksof
governmentpolicy.”
He added,“Thesimple reality is thattoo many transgenderAustraliansfaceutterly unacceptable
bullying and harassmentand otherformsof socialstigma and discrimination.”
Predictably,fundamentalistChristianssimplywon’taccepttransgenderpeoplecitingBiblepassages
whichsay thatGod onlycreatedtwo genders –male and female.But– andI hope I don’toffend
Christiansbysayingthis – the Bible canbe usedto supportalmostanything –Ephesians5:5 for
example tellsslavesto “obey yourearthly masterswith fearand trembling,with a sincere heartas
you would Christ.” Religious Muslimshave asimilarprejudice.
Firstly,ithasto be understoodthattransgenderpeopleare notjustmenand womenwho,
occasionallyorevenpermanently,liketodressina contrary wayto theirgender.Transgender
people are biologicallybornone waybutpsychologicallyanother.All they wantisforthe twoto
alignas happensforthe huge majority.
The most highprofile transgenderAustraliaisGroupCaptainCatherine McGregor whowasformerly
knownas MalcolmMcGregor. She is currentlyservingasspeechwriterforthe Chief of the RAAF.
As Malcolm,he graduatedfromDuntroonand hada distinguishedcareerandwasawardedthe
Orderof Australiain2012 for exceptionalservice.Since 2000,Malcolm hadbeenspeechwriterfor
everyArmyChief reachingthe rankof LieutenantColonel.Itwasaftershe became Catherine –she
startedlivingasa womanon 30 July,2012 – she was promotedtoGroup Captain.
The militaryhadknownforsome time of her desire tochange identitiesbuttheyrespectedher
secretand,whenshe made the publicannouncement,theywere immediatelysupportive sayingthat
she couldcontinue hercareer.
At the time she said, “When I came outto the army,Isaid thatI would notbe commenting on my
transsexuality.But I’vebeen treated withenormousdecency.I’vebeen humbled by my colleagues.”

2. Her appearance onthe ABC’sQ&A last yearprovokedahuge debate.HumanRightsCommissioner
Tim Wilsonsaidthatshe had come across as “deeply thoughtful,whip smartand incredibly
personable.”
And,I think,eventhose whowouldn’tsupportorunderstandherwouldhave toagree thatto
change gendersinmiddle age inthe still verymachomilitaryenvironmentdidneedreal personal
courage. She wrote a bookabout cricketwhichwaspublishedbyBarrallierBooksinCanberrarunby
retiredGeneral IanGordon,a formerArmyDeputyChief of Staff.
The book waswrittenwhenshe wasgiventime off bythe Armyto undergohormone therapy and
herextraordinarypersonal transformation.
Of hercomingout,General Gordonsaid, “I don’tthinkthatbraveis the rightword.It’snota step
thatanyonewould takeeasily;it’s been a classact. The way she’sdonethis – particularly as a
serving army officer.”
Andfor those whostill believethatPrime MinisterAbbottissome sortof 1950s throwbackwhenit
comesto gay, lesbianandtransgenderissues,itmightcome asa surprise thatCatherine andhe are
goodpersonal friends –AbbottintroducedherAustralian Story onABCTV and theyshare a love of
cricket– she isthe PM’s delegate tothe National SelectionPanel forthe PM’sXI.
Meanwhile inIndia–a far more deeplyconservative andreligiouscountrythanours,a transgender
womanhas createdheadlinesand historybybeingelectedMayorof hercommunity,beatingan
opponentwhowasendorsedbythe political partythatgovernsbothherstate andcountry.
Madhu Kinnar,35, comesfrom the Dalitcommunitywhowere once knownasuntouchablesfortheir
lowestrank insocietyandbefore the electionshe wasa beggar. You simplycouldnotgeta person
inIndiawhowas more marginalised,reviledandharassed.
The Indianmediahadsome difficultyreportingthe historicwin –the Times of India headline “First
eunuch to win mayorpoll” saidit all and,naturallyforthem, theyhadto report whather “real”
(meaningmale) was.