Human Rights Commission
Media Release
2 April 2007

Transgender Inquiry publishes Summary of Submissions

The Commission's Transgender Inquiry has published a Summary of Submissions received from the first round of public consultation.

Commissioner Joy Liddicoat said today, "The Inquiry's hearings late last year received highly informative submissions. We heard from many articulate people including transgender people, lawyers and health professionals, family and supporters".

The Transgender Inquiry has looked at three key areas: personal experiences of discrimination; difficulties accessing health services; and the barriers transgender people face when trying to have their gender status legally recognised on documents like birth certificates and passports.

The first stage of the Inquiry saw almost 200 people participate in public meetings throughout New Zealand. The Inquiry received 128 submissions that showed transgender people experienced discrimination in work, education, housing and access to goods and services. Many submissions recounted difficulties accessing public health services. A further major issue proved to be the many barriers to recognition of gender identity that led to inappropriate and unauthorised disclosure of personal information.

Copies of the Summary of Submissions have been sent to Members of Parliament, government agencies and individuals for comment. The publication will be the foundation for a second round of public meetings in the country's main centres in April.

The Transgender Inquiry will then produce a final report in September that gives a detailed analysis of submissions and the Human Rights Commission's recommendations.

"All New Zealanders have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. The Human Rights Act applies equally to transgender people," Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan said.

Commission research in 2004 and 2005 revealed concerns about the human rights status of transgender people and prompted the Transgender Inquiry.

For a timetable of public meetings and to download the Summary of Submissions please go to: http://www.hrc.co.nz/transgenderinquiry

ENDS

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