A Place to Stand

The recorded parliamentary address, titled "A Place to Stand," was captured in the Parliament buildings of Wellington on February 14, 2018. Featuring Jan Logie and Trevor Mallard, the discourse covered significant issues relevant to the Wellington LGBTQI community and the achievements and challenges faced by its members in the 2010s decade.

The speaker initiated the address by honoring the memory of Dana Demilo, a pivotal figure in the Wellington LGBTQI community whose efforts made way for others. The focus then shifted to Pride season, a time to celebrate the diversity and identity of individuals who identify across a spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities. Although acknowledging the progress made since detriminializing homosexuality and transgender people, the speaker emphasized that the journey towards full human rights realization is still underway. Mentioning that moments of celebration are also acts of defiance and mourning, Logie lauded the courage and advocacy of predecessors that paved the way for them to serve as an openly proud member of the LGBTQI community.

The speaker discussed the persistent struggles encountered by queer and trans individuals, particularly the premature deaths within the community due to an absence of societal acceptance and support. The speech drew attention to the ongoing need for initiatives providing a stable foundation for the LGBTQI community.

Recognizing progress, the address featured commendations for James Shaw, Minister for Statistics, for promoting inclusive data collection; Pharmac for funding PrEP, a preventive HIV measure; and the work of a select committee that allows for easy self-identification gender marker changes on official documents. Despite these strides, Logie underscored critical issues requiring action, such as improving access to gender-affirming surgeries and healthcare services. A 2014 survey revealed a stark lack of trans-specific healthcare across District Health Boards (DHBs), with extended waiting periods for surgeries, pointing to prejudicial attitudes and an alarming disconnect between needs and available services.

The address called for intensified efforts to ensure schools offer an inclusive atmosphere for youth, aligning with the high priority of reducing the unacceptable rates of suicide among young LGBTQI individuals. The overall message conveyed a determination to advance the cause for equity and acceptance, igniting the community's potential and fostering an environment of safety and inclusivity for all.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Jan Logie Trevor Mallard

2010s, affirmation, aotearoa new zealand, birth certificate, celebration, census, census (2018), dana de milo, defiance, district health board (dhb), driver licence, gender affirming healthcare, gender marker, gender reassignment surgery, gender-affirming surgery, green party, hiv / aids, homosexual law reform, human rights, identity documents, james shaw, jan logie, lesbian, member of parliament, mourning, parliament buildings, parliament tv, passport, pharmaceutical management agency (pharmac), politics, prep (pre-exposure prophylaxis), pride, queer, school, select committee, self identification, statistics new zealand, trans, transgender, wellington

access, agenda, attitude, bisexual, bravery, community, data, death, elders, expression, failure, funding, gay, gender, gender fluid, government, hope, identity, leadership, lgbt, military, opportunity, passing, peace, people, prevention, questioning, space, statistics, suicide, support, surgery, survey, time, work