UPDATED: Statistics New Zealand says “gender diverse” will join male and female categories in a new gender-identity classification, which has been released today. It was developed through consultation with groups representing people with different gender identities and with government organisations who will use the new classifications. [Note: we are checking with Stats NZ about whether this might be an option in the next Census] Gender diverse would include a number of sub-categories, including transgender FtM and transgender MtF. Use will not be mandatory, but several government organisations are considering how to implement it. Statistics NZ says it will also consider how to use the standard across its own information collection. 'Gender diverse' will have subcategories which include trans MtF and FtM Classifications Manager Jo-anne Allan says it’s a world-first for gender identity information. “The term gender diverse is fairly new but we believe that over time it will be widely used and accepted. We recommend this term for official statistical use,” she says. “It’s a complex issue as gender identity is about how a person feels and experiences their gender, which can change over their lifetime. We’ve worked with a wide range of government and community groups to finalise this standard and the terminology. “We believe the gender diverse population see it as a step towards being seen, counted, and understood. The standard expands gender identity categories beyond the current female/male boundaries.” Ms Allan says gender information is personal and should only be collected when there’s a good reason to do so. Will it capture meaningful data? - TransAdvocates Kelly Ellis from the group TransAdvocates says it’s great to see there’s a new standard. “Because, without data being gathered about trans people we really only have anecdotal material.” However she points out the big problem is that as the community is so diverse, even the phrase "gender diverse" is problematic. “There are many trans people who simply identify as their nominated gender and won't tick the gender diverse box.” Ellis says such people live their lives in their gender and face the greatest prejudice. “On the other hand, an occasional cross-dresser who experiences no prejudice in their normal life, may well tick the box and skew the picture of poverty that transgender people face,” she explains. “So while this is a good start, I'm concerned it might not capture meaningful data.” A major move forward – Agender Lynda Whitehead “This is a major move forward for Transgender people in New Zealand. For many years we have been the ‘invisible’ part of society, neither one thing nor the other,” says President of trans advocacy and support group Agender, Lynda Whitehead. “In this statement transgender people have been finally recognised as an authentic part of New Zealand society.” Whitehead says to many the move will come as a welcome surprise, but to others it’s only the first step in many steps forward. I” hope that we can now look forward to being able to choose openly how we officially identify, this is so important to transgender people as its their signature of authenticity on their lives,” she says. “This is an important step in the right direction for acceptance and recognition, but there is still more work to do before we can finally share equality with all.” I'd tick 'gender diverse' - Laquisha St Redfern Laquisha St Redfern Someone who says they would tick the ‘gender diverse’ box is Wellington bearded lady Laquisha St Redfern. “I guess my first thought was on the choice of wording. One of my close friends is a psychiatrist practicing in the USA and I've heard him use gender-variant. “I use gender queer online because it's widely understood online. “So I guess that gender-diverse is an umbrella term designed to catch intersex, trans*, genderqueer and all the others who fall outside of the binary.” Redfern says it could only be a good thing to have the third option available in the Census, as it’s a tool that can be used to inform policy. “Especially given the lack of funding and expertise for gender reassignment surgery. But more subtly, perhaps for planning support groups in schools. Or thinking about mental health services and the needs of the clients. For example. It's impossible for me to access a gender-variant identifying counsellor in the Wellington region.” What do you think? How will it impact you? Have your say on our Facebook page, or drop us a line at news@gaynz.com - we welcome your comments.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 17th July 2015 - 11:20am