Community Conversation => Transgender talk => Topic started by: Cindy on March 12, 2015, 01:24:00 AM Return to Full Version
Title: An interesting half day at CenterLink
Post by: Cindy on March 12, 2015, 01:24:00 AM
Post by: Cindy on March 12, 2015, 01:24:00 AM
CenterLink is the Australian Gov agency that looks after all welfare issues.
I had an interview today to try and get funding for my wife's care in a nursing home. She has been in one for 8 years and I have paid full fees all the time, but my circumstances are changing so I wanted advice.
Now same sex marriage is illegal in Australia. I have changed all my gender markers. I am legally recognized as Female, I have not divorced my wife. My marriage certificate uses my male name. I have my legal name change documents.
I am not intimidated by anyone and I don't care what people think about me.
BTW the person interviewing me was a very nice polite young woman.
Me: Hi, I want my wife and my income reassessed for Nursing Home care, she has been in care for 8 yrs and I can no longer afford the fees.
Her: Sure thing and how long were you in a de facto with your wife prior to her admittance.
Me: I have never been in a de facto I have my marriage certificate here.
Her: But that is a male - female certificate?
Me: Yes I changed my name, here is my name change document. I have also changed my legal gender, here is the court certificate.
Her: Oh you are transgender? But you cannot be married to a woman!
Me: My marriage certificate is still valid as is my name change and gender status. I also have my driving licence, passport and medicare card all stating my gender as female.
Her: Oh my older brother is Gay, so I do understand your issues.
Me: (private thought) what the goddess does your brother have to do with anything?
Me: I'm not Gay, I'm straight but I married a woman anyway because I love her. Maybe that makes me Bi transgender female.
Her: But you can't be because your a man? Oh but you are a woman! This is very confusing!
Me: Why is it confusing, I'm a woman who tried to be a man, got married and now I'm a woman married to a woman. Simple!
Her: Yes I think I see, but I don't have a box to tick!
Me: Well, tick her box as female, my box as female and tick married.
Her: OK, tell you what I think, these rules are dumb. I'm going to accept a same sex marriage and bugga the rules.
Me: Good girl, lets start the revolution!
A few hours later it looks as if I am in a legal same sex marriage under CenterLink and will be paying less than half of what I pay now.
I had an interview today to try and get funding for my wife's care in a nursing home. She has been in one for 8 years and I have paid full fees all the time, but my circumstances are changing so I wanted advice.
Now same sex marriage is illegal in Australia. I have changed all my gender markers. I am legally recognized as Female, I have not divorced my wife. My marriage certificate uses my male name. I have my legal name change documents.
I am not intimidated by anyone and I don't care what people think about me.
BTW the person interviewing me was a very nice polite young woman.
Me: Hi, I want my wife and my income reassessed for Nursing Home care, she has been in care for 8 yrs and I can no longer afford the fees.
Her: Sure thing and how long were you in a de facto with your wife prior to her admittance.
Me: I have never been in a de facto I have my marriage certificate here.
Her: But that is a male - female certificate?
Me: Yes I changed my name, here is my name change document. I have also changed my legal gender, here is the court certificate.
Her: Oh you are transgender? But you cannot be married to a woman!
Me: My marriage certificate is still valid as is my name change and gender status. I also have my driving licence, passport and medicare card all stating my gender as female.
Her: Oh my older brother is Gay, so I do understand your issues.
Me: (private thought) what the goddess does your brother have to do with anything?
Me: I'm not Gay, I'm straight but I married a woman anyway because I love her. Maybe that makes me Bi transgender female.
Her: But you can't be because your a man? Oh but you are a woman! This is very confusing!
Me: Why is it confusing, I'm a woman who tried to be a man, got married and now I'm a woman married to a woman. Simple!
Her: Yes I think I see, but I don't have a box to tick!
Me: Well, tick her box as female, my box as female and tick married.
Her: OK, tell you what I think, these rules are dumb. I'm going to accept a same sex marriage and bugga the rules.
Me: Good girl, lets start the revolution!
A few hours later it looks as if I am in a legal same sex marriage under CenterLink and will be paying less than half of what I pay now.
Title: Re: An interesting half day at CenterLink
Post by: Ms Grace on March 12, 2015, 01:31:21 AM
Post by: Ms Grace on March 12, 2015, 01:31:21 AM
Gotta love bureaucracy! ::)
Title: Re: An interesting half day at CenterLink
Post by: kelly_aus on March 12, 2015, 01:35:21 AM
Post by: kelly_aus on March 12, 2015, 01:35:21 AM
Glad you had a mostly pleasant experience.
Title: Re: An interesting half day at CenterLink
Post by: Rachel85 on March 12, 2015, 03:13:14 AM
Post by: Rachel85 on March 12, 2015, 03:13:14 AM
I can see it now Cindy, six months from now the papers will have a headline "Adelaide Woman breaks The System".
This is the end of Centrelink, and if you believe the nay-sayers, THE BEGINNING OF THE END!
Or not :)
This is the end of Centrelink, and if you believe the nay-sayers, THE BEGINNING OF THE END!
Or not :)
Title: Re: An interesting half day at CenterLink
Post by: Eveline on March 12, 2015, 05:44:54 AM
Post by: Eveline on March 12, 2015, 05:44:54 AM
Cindy, I love your posts. You are an inspiration!
Title: Re: An interesting half day at CenterLink
Post by: cindy16 on March 12, 2015, 06:05:49 AM
Post by: cindy16 on March 12, 2015, 06:05:49 AM
I wish there was a video of this. Would have loved to see her expressions as she went through this conversation. :P
Title: Re: An interesting half day at CenterLink
Post by: Myarkstir on March 12, 2015, 06:53:58 AM
Post by: Myarkstir on March 12, 2015, 06:53:58 AM
Ok just one word :
LOL
LOL
Title: Re: An interesting half day at CenterLink
Post by: rosinstraya on March 12, 2015, 07:22:29 AM
Post by: rosinstraya on March 12, 2015, 07:22:29 AM
Yes, when you think it all through.................those "rules" are stupid and need to be broken!
Brava!
Brava!
Title: Re: An interesting half day at CenterLink
Post by: gennee on March 12, 2015, 07:38:11 AM
Post by: gennee on March 12, 2015, 07:38:11 AM
Wow! If life were that easy. Congrats, Cindy.
;)
;)
Title: Re: An interesting half day at CenterLink
Post by: FTMax on March 12, 2015, 09:56:45 AM
Post by: FTMax on March 12, 2015, 09:56:45 AM
"But I don't have a box to tick!"
Best response from a government official ever.
Best response from a government official ever.
Title: Re: An interesting half day at CenterLink
Post by: Athena on March 12, 2015, 11:12:25 AM
Post by: Athena on March 12, 2015, 11:12:25 AM
Good for you Cindy.
Title: Re: An interesting half day at CenterLink
Post by: kao on March 12, 2015, 05:57:48 PM
Post by: kao on March 12, 2015, 05:57:48 PM
>.> centrelink are a pain but good on you for getting it done. i was in there the other day for a work place assessment first time I had a person who understood my health issues... I was glad she was strong enough to give me a lift from the chair :P stupid back cramped