Lynda Whitehead, Agender President Today is a black day for all trans people in Aotearoa. We have been hit with a double whammy by the New Zealand Government. Read: Latest gender identity protection bid denied Read: Free surgery bid "nutty" - Health Minister Firstly we had Simon Bridges knocking back any chance of us having gender odentity included in the Human Rights Act (Operative term…’human’) then, if that wasn’t bad enough Jonathan Coleman comes out with his ‘nutty idea’ comment with regards to the Government offering free surgery for trans people. Let not forget though that even if they did offer free surgery it won’t make the slightest bit of difference if they don’t get a surgeon or two and clear the backlog first!. They seem to be sitting on their collective hands over this one!. I can understand the costs involved, but why has no consideration been given to subsidising trans people who qualify for the surgery to go overseas? In many cases it’s far cheaper than having it done here anyway and would solve the backlog problem. It seems that our Human Rights are being attacked from all sides. As far as human rights is concerned we don’t exist, and as far as our health issues are concerned…we don’t qualify. So who the heck are we? Many of our younger trans are disillusioned and depressed, they face a bleak future living in a body that isn’t theirs. They have no hope and many resort to alcohol and drugs - and even worse decide to end the pain permanently. The move affluent amongst us go far away from our homes and loved ones to have an operation that should be a right, not a privilege. We are worthwhile human beings and deserve to have the same rights
Credit: Lynda Whitehead, Agender President
First published: Tuesday, 19th May 2015 - 5:42pm