PFC Newsletter Number Eight
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Newsletter Number Eight
(August 1997)
Produced and Edited by Alex Whinnom
Blair baiting
Prime Minister’s Question Time, House of Commons, Wednesday 16th July 1997 :
Q7 Dr. Lynne Jones MP: "Will the Prime Minister join me in welcoming the decision of the employment appeals tribunal that gives transsexuals the protection of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975? Does he agree that more needs to be done to help combat the appalling discrimination faced by sufferers of gender dysphoria? In particular, they should have the right to have their birth certificates amended to give their correct gender."
The Prime Minister: "I have not seen the tribunal decision to which my Hon. Friend refers, but I have no doubt that it will be studied by the appropriate people."
Mr. Blair was caught on the hop, the question having been wrongly listed! But as Lynne Jones remarked, "He won’t forget that one in a hurry!"
Presenting the petition
We will be presenting the PFC Petition at 10, Downing Street at 1pm on Wednesday 29th October 1997. We will then walk to the House of Commons where we will hold a press conference.
PLEASE COME, and bring your friends and family. Please also contact your MP and ask them to attend (PFC will be writing to them all over the summer). We’ll meet at the end of Downing Street at 12.45. We do expect a media presence and hope to make national papers and TV.
Any further signatures should be sent in by 30th september.
UK legal victories
The transsexual woman with the Transport Police who faced extraordinary harassment after informing her employer of her decision to undergo gender reassignment has now had her case taken up by Liberty and the Equal Opportunities Commission and we are confident she will win.
"C", a transsexual woman, was harassed and then dismissed from employment by a private company. She won her case at Industrial Tribunal, and an Employment Appeal Tribunal in June on upheld the decision that transsexuals are covered by EC law and the Sex Discrimination Act. There is one more level at which the company concerned may appeal before we are home and dry. This is a crucial test case for extending the judgement in "P vs S and Cornwall County Council" not only to all employment, but to vocational training, and provision of goods and services.
Lindsay Henley, who has been fighting Sheffield College for 3 years with PFC backing won in July the right to enrol on a women’s only car maintenance course. Lindsay was refused legal aid on the basis that the Sex Discrimination Act, which covers vocational training, did not apply to transsexuals. However the appeal decision re "C" coupled with pressure from PFC solicitor Michelle Wilson tipped the balance. This is a very important precedent.
The 1950’s Project
Manchester Metropolitan University seeks men (including transsexuals) who are 50 - 60 years old and have lived or worked in the North West, for an aural history project. If you could help with an anonymous interview please ring 0161-247 1985 any time (answerphone).
European court of human rights
X, Y and Z v UK (right of a child to have a transsexual father named on the birth certificate).
The decision was reported at the end of April 97.
Although the case was lost, the verdict wasn’t too disappointing: the "no" was mainly because there is wide variation amongst states on whether how non-biological fathers can be registered, therefore UK government must be allowed a measure of discretion.
The judgement did recognise that "family life" exists between X, Y and Z. It also highlights the anomalies which a "yes" verdict would create and points to Sheffield & Horsham as a more comprehensive opportunity to resolve these.
X, Y & Z couldn’t go to the Court again, but another family could.
Sheffield and Horsham v UK (violation of Articles 8, 12 and 14 of European Declaration of Human Rights).
The Commission referred the case to the European Court of Human Rights on all three grounds, and it will be heard on 24th February 1998.
The NCCL has been given permission to present an amicus brief in support of the case, and PFC is also working closely with the barrister in the case to provide the best possible evidence. It must be new evidence:
In particular we need anyone who is a foreign national and who transitioned and married abroad, but is now resident in the UK - they would be asked to sign an affidavit (anonymous).
Constituency links
We require a person in every constituency to become a "Constituency Link", acting as our contact with that MP. You would need to visit and introduce yourself (if you haven’t already) and be willing to visit, phone and/or write on a regular basis, keeping the MP up to date with the campaign and, most importantly, asking them to do specific things to help [the first of these is to attend the presentation of the petition on 29th Oct!].
To volunteer please write in giving your contact details and the name and party of your MP. If you’re not sure who your MP is, why not have a look for them on the Houses of Parliament web site ?
Legislating for civil rights
We expect to be able to work with the new government in a less confrontational manner, and a Parliamentary Forum will be held in the autumn.
Following the publication and discussion of a comprehensive Consultation Document we have a clear policy on legislation and have decided on some specific actions:
- PFC has adopted Five Principles which will form a "bottom line" against which we would measure any legislative or other proposals. These will form the basis for a new Statement of Aims leaflet (available soon).
- A PFC researcher has been working on the possibility of getting "gender dysphoria" redefined as an "intersex" condition. This could simultaneously remove the stigmas of both "psychiatric disorder" and "medical condition" and place us as part of the normal spectrum of human variety.
- We would then seek a return to the pre-1970 status quo, which would effectively allow individuals to define themselves along this spectrum, and adopt the social gender which suited them best. It has the merit of allowing those transsexuals who wish to do so to change their civil status without simultaneously disadvantaging anyone else. Little legislation would be required - 200 birth certificates pa are amended in the UK at present, with a new "adoption-style" certificate being issued.
- We will continue to challenge injustices through the British and European Courts, seeking to set useful precedents.
- We will work with other nationals (especially in Europe) and through the European Parliament to harmonise legislation and social policy in line with best practice.
- We will continue to collaborate with other groups working for civil rights, but our focus will remain firmly on transsexual and transgendered people.
European parliament
The MEP for Westminster, Mr. James Moorhouse, is to ask a question of the European Parliament::
"In the light of Recommendation 1117 and the great disparity in legal status and treatment of transsexual people in the various member states, could the European Parliament do something to bring about the standardisation of civil rights and standards of care in all member states? And could these standards be brought into line with the best possible practice available, in consultation with the leading experts in the field and with transsexual people themselves?"
Mel Read MEP, a patron of PFC, has written to all her colleagues asking them to work with her on this issue and to lobby the Home Secretary. Many have done so.
Frank Hannah has been contacting transgender organisations throughout Europe to ask for their support.
If you have not yet written to your mep, please do so!
Press for Change would be grateful to receive copies of responses from MEPs
In Europe
France
The new French government has stated that it will honour its pre-election commitment to give same sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples for housing, transport, benefits etc.
Ireland
A campaigner in Ireland has been given permission to challenge the Registrar General in the High Court over changing her birth certificate, but an appeal to the Court of Human Rights has been deemed "inadmissible".
Insurance
In our last newsletter we asked people needing financial services to consider arranging these through PFC. This is to enable us to work with the major insurance companies to establish good practice.
We have had disappointingly little response. Yet unless we can prove to the companies that we really do exist, we’ll have missed the opportunity for sorting out this issue - probably for years!
Informal feedback suggests that finance is a "head in the sand" issue for many transsexual people. Some people think that because an insurance company hasn’t specifically asked their sex, they need not reveal their status.
Please remember if you do not disclose your transsexualism to an insurer your insurance is not valid.
In the event of a claim, when the company looks for reasons not to pay, you have provided them with a watertight excuse; this would include e.g. car insurance (where you might injure a third party) and pension schemes (where you could find all you receive is a repayment of what you put in, minus administration costs). These are real stories, not scare stories. Where people do disclose and do obtain valid financial services, they may still suffer appalling indignity and breaches of privacy, and terms are often much more expensive than for non-transsexuals.
Please help us to help everybody. Don’t let our efforts go to waste.
If you need life insurance, a pension or mortgage, or may do in the next 12 months, please contact:
| Jim Sealey on 01244 822637 (mention Press For Change). Or write to him at:: |
Also, see our insurance feature here online |
Transsexual birth parents
PFC has a volunteer, herself a transsexual birth father, who has offered to co-ordinate the publication of a "good advice booklet" for transsexual parents and for the courts dealing with the issue, to promote good practice and anti-discrimination, and to help parents know what judgements to cite in their support.
If you are a birth parent, either someone who has had or is having problems over access to your children, or alternatively someone who has had a good experience in the courts, we would appreciate your writing in with more information. In return we may be able to help you.
Several people have done so already and the work is progressing.
Research
Prof. Milton Diamond has produced a paper July 1997: "Sex Reassignment at Birth, a Long Term Review and Clinical Implications". The paper concerns a genetic male whose penis was damaged and was reared as a female; his subsequent history resembled that of a FTM transsexual, culminating in gender reassignment in adulthood. The significance of the paper is that it seems to show that gender identity is intrinsic, not acculturated.
We believe that another paper is to be published shortly which confirms D F Schwaab’s research last year showing that the hypothalamus of TS women resembled that of genetic women. Dr Schwaab’s research was done on cadavers; we understand the new research is on living people.
Membership
Membership of Press for Change is open to all transsexual and transgendered people and any member of the public who wishes to support the aims and work of the organisation. No membership fee is charged. The main benefits of membership are that members receive the newsletter free of charge, may call on Press for Change for resources and advice, and may if they wish volunteer as Key Activists or Local Networkers.
People resident in the UK and currently on either the PFC mailing list or the "Boys Own" mailing list are deemed to be members unless you have requested otherwise. People who sign up to the new on-line newslist UKPFC-News and are resident in the UK will also be automatically be made members unless they request otherwise.
If you receive the newsletter only occasionally, via the Gender Trust or Beaumont Society or any other of the various support groups, you may NOT be on the Press for Change mailing list and so may not be a member. If you’d like to be a member, ensure you receive more regular news and/or would like to get more involved in the campaign, please write in to the PFC address or send an email to Press_For_Change@compuserve.com. All contact details are kept totally confidential and are never passed on to anyone without your consent; Press for Change mailings come in plain brown envelopes to the name and address of your choice.
If you would like a copy of the new “Rules” of the organisation please write to us.
The Press for Change annual planning meeting was held on 15th June 1997, and was attended by 23 people, including some members of the new local network.
PFC has two new e-mail lists:
UKPFC-News for regular news updates … UKPFC-Forum for discussion and policy development
More details of how to join these lists, and archives of messages already posted are available on-line.
140 people signed up to the news list in its first week!
Many thanks to Claire McNab, Kym Kovan and others who have set up this splendid new resource!
Local news
Nottingham
Nottingham Transgender Network, led by Cherrie Button, has had incredible success with Nottinghamshire HA, formerly hostile to funding gender reassignment treatment. By entering into constructive discussion, they have persuaded the HA to adopt excellent good practice guidelines. The group continues to meet with the HA every 3 months, backed by the local Community Health Council.
Nottingham and East Midlands first Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Street Party "Pink Lace" will be held in Nottingham on September 13th. More details from:
Pink Lace, c/o The GAI Project, The Health Shop, Broad Street, Nottingham NG1 3EL. Tel: 0115-947 6868
or from Nottingham Transgender Network: NTN@fortytwo.demon.co.uk
Sheffield
Sheffield HA have just disclosed their spending criteria for transgendered people. We are seeking a volunteer who lives in Sheffield who would be willing to work with PFC to challenge the HA’s assumptions.
Manchester
The Village Carnival takes place annually in Manchester Gay Village on August Bank Holiday weekend. PFC needs volunteers to help staff an information stall. Please ring Alex on 0161-432 1915 after 8pm if you could help.
London
"Transmutation" is (the first ever?) TG Film Festival, running at the London Filmmakers’ Co-op the first week of November.
The PFC local and media networks
The Local Network has 28 signed-up members - distributed (thinly!) right across the UK. We also have a growing list of people willing and able to do interviews with the media.
Many other people have requested the Local Campaigning Pack but have not returned their registration sheet. PLEASE RETURN IT! You can then receive any briefings and be put in touch with the Local Contact who is co-ordinating work in your area.
If you think you might be interested in local campaigning please send for the Introduction to the PFC Local & Media Networks.
Freshers’ fairs, autumn 1997
We need volunteers to approach local colleges and universities and arrange to do a stall or at least put out leaflets and posters. Suggest approaching via the NUS (L&G Officer if there is one).
Contact Christine & Andrea at PFC for advice if necessary, ask us for leaflets etc. IN GOOD TIME and please let us know which ones you’re doing. Thanks!
We have an invite from AMERSHAM & WICKHAM COLLEGE (Bucks) to do a stall at their fairs on 17th, 19th and 24th Sept. pms - any volunteers?
Labour Party Conference, 29 sept/3 oct
HELP WANTED!
The PFC Fringe Meeting is arranged for Weds. 1st Oct. 7.30 - 9pm at the Queen’s Hotel, King’s Road, Brighton. We would be grateful for people to help hand out leaflets earlier in the day, and to mix and talk informally with delegates attending the meeting.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered pride
London, 5th July
Our second year at Pride was a great success with over 100 people behind the banner, and literally hundreds of visitors to the tent. PFC gained 54 new members. Many thanks to all who helped, especially Kate the organiser, and Scott, Martine, Tracie and Katrina who valiantly staffed the stall.
Chris Smith MP was sent to Pride to pledge on behalf of the new Labour government that discrimination against all minorities will be ended.
Hope they mean us!
The Transsexual Menace
The “TS Menace” is a T-shirt! The movement started in the USA, and there are now hundreds of people in the States who wear the T-shirt as an act of pride or protest on appropriate occasions. It’s a simple, effective and humorous way to get the message across, and of course you don’t have to be TS to wear one. The "Great British Chapter" of The Menace was launched by PFC at Pride this year and is catching on like wildfire.
PFC goes international
We have been approached by campaigners in Australia and Denmark who wish to set up PFC in their own countries on the UK model. Preliminary enquiries are also being made by several other countries. We will do this on an affiliation model, with PFC UK as the parent organisation, following our philosophy of empowering people to campaign for themselves.
PFC enjoys enormous respect internationally, being seen as incredibly successful and effective. Well done to all of you!
Photos of children needed
Many thanks to all the people who have kindly contributed photos for posters and publicity.
We would now like photos of PFC members as children please, which we could use as part of a block of faces - the idea being to make the point that gender problems start in childhood.
Accounts for 1996/7
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For a full copy of the balance sheet please write in to the Hon. Treasurer.
We now have about £140 coming in each month on standing orders. Please consider making a standing order, even for £1 or £2 - it helps a lot.
Many thanks to all who have donated over the year - without you we couldn’t do much!
Also, a big THANK YOU to several people who kindly donated computer equipment after our appeal.
Can you save us a stamp ?
The printed edition of the Press for Change newsletter costs quite a large proportion of our resources to print and post, several times a year. If you are a regular online reader of this web site (or if you’re now a member of the UKPFC-News list) then you can help save us a great deal of money by letting us know that. As a rule you’ll find that the online copy is published and distributed first in any case .. so you’ll be losing nothing and we can send your printed copy to someone new.
