Richard Worth is unfit to be the National Party's Justice spokesperson. If one had any doubts, then listen to the ridiculous outburst that he made when Georgina Beyer announced her private members bill on gender identity discrimination, now deferred until after the next general election. According to this idiot, Georgina's legislation will result in 'transvestite cops, prison officers and soldiers' if it passes its readings and the select committee phases. I wish I was joking, but I'm not. For Mr Worth's information, it is one of the prerequisites for eventual sex reassignment surgery that people spend time in clothing of the intended eventual gender identity after one has had reassignment surgery. Therefore, 'transvestites' have to be covered under this legislation, otherwise some might use its absence to sack people who are medically unable to undergo reassignment surgery due to other health problems, or deny them goods, services and accomodation. And for his information, there are transgendered police officers who serve in the San Fransisco Police Department already. In the case of police and the armed forces, if one meets the exacting physical and psychological requirements of entry, then one is entitled to serve as a police officer or member of the armed forces. Competence has nothing to do with gender, gender identity or sexual orientation in this context. As for transgender prison officers, it is about time the anomaly that led to MTF/transfemale prisoners being imprisoned in mens facilities was remedied. I fail to see what Worth's problem is with trans prison officers under those circumstances. Indeed, they might provide opportunities for rehabilitation and positive role models for trans inmates. I was also appalled that TVNZ's website carried a header which referred to 'transvestite bill delay.' This is unsatisfactory, and the transgender community is entitled to an apology from our state broadcaster for that offensive transphobic header. Worth's latest outburst indicates why he is unfit to service as justice spokesperson for a major New Zealand political party. At the very least, one would expect any such serious individual to consult transgender lobby group websites, contact medical or mental health organisations for professional information about reassignment surgery and the transitioning process, and accquaint oneself with overseas gender identity antidiscrimination laws in Montana, San Francisco, New South Wales, the Australian Capital and Northern Territories and South Australia. This latest outburst is attributable to sheer laziness and inadequate performance of his responsibilities and duties. Doug Graham would not have behaved like this, nor would Phil Goff, the present incumbent of the justice portfolio. Unfortunately, croneyism and social conservative ideological compliance appear to count for more than competent performance of duties in today's leading Opposition party. Recommended Reading: Loren Cameron: Body Alchemy: Cleis Press: 1998. [Includes FTM photos and capsule biographies, including one from an FTM police officer]. http://www.richardworth.co.nz Worth's website. Craig Young - 19th March 2005