ANZPATH is the ANZ sister organisation of WPATH in Australia and New Zealand, we had our clinical conference on Oct 31.
About 70 people attend, all clinicians. Some extremely versed in trans issues, some new people to the field.
We covered public awareness, assimilation, speech pathology, models to decrease waiting lists and practical issues for transpeople and how to help. Autism and paediatric presentations were also covered. We awarded three scholarships for new researchers into trans issues. All were ciswomen and all psychology students, they enthusiasm was both refreshing and their assimilation into transculture (read going nuts in night clubs with the transgirls was wonderful).
Waiting lists and acces to public health services were high on the list. In Australia access to public health services is a right, paid by our taxes, public health is free(is), that we are refused surgical and endo services is a primary issue to be dealt with and will be brought up again at a Federal level (Cindy goes to Canberra again
).
Waiting lists, as many people know these have blown out totally. Monash 12 months, Adelaide 12 months, Qld a bit better but under threat. NSW same as Qld WA, non-existent. One reason is the total lack of funding. We have funding for children at the Royal Melbourne Children's Hospital, nothing anywhere else. Again Cindy goes to Canberra with her begging bowl.
Models to improve waiting lists. Qld, Monash and Adelaide use informed consent after first assessment. Three sessions and out to the Endo. Sadly, this is good for 90% of the population but for those who need therapy it is a long haul. Psychotherapy places are few and far between. Some of us needed it.
NSW Gender Centre are using the same model but their Psych (a lovely woman I had not met before) is overwhelmed. She does a lot of pro bono and depends on goodwill to keep her employed (she has a basic contract that doesn't cover her hours).
Attitude.
There was not a single professional provider who did not live to help their clients. They wanted the best outcome possible for their clients. They all had horror stories of how some marginalised clients responded and their difficulty in getting colleagues to join the practice. (->-bleeped-<- Cindy, When I get letters like this, how can I convince another Psych to
join me?) He showed me a letter dripping with hate.
There is no money in treating transgender people, I do it because I love them, I have rent, three secretaries and rooms. Guess what? I pay for them. I would do pro bono for ever but my rent has to be paid, their salaries need to be paid).
I sat outside by the lovely Brisbane river, watching boats. One of the secretaries came and say by me. I'd met her before (she took me shopping after my second assessment, I was stuck in a different city so she took me shopping.). "You run the big site don't you?" Yea. " Can you post something for me?" Yea. So I shall.
" Please I'm the secretary, I'm not a 'rude word word' I'm not blocking you, it isn't my fault there is 12 month list. I don't like being called a cow, I don't like being insulted; I don't insult you, why insult me? Why call me a cisbitch? It's not my fault."
I told her that the community doesn't accept that behaviour. I told her I would post her comment.
I told her I would send the communities appreciation of her hard work to her.
I await it.
