Download to read offline
The third sex
- 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 ontheABC’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.