Trans* Pre-Conference from ILGA Media Statement

11 March 2016

The ILGA Trans Secretariat and Gender Identity and Gender Expression Programme are honoured and proud to be invited to participate in the ILGA Oceania Human Rights and Health Conference in Wellington, New Zealand, from 10-11 March 2016 and the Trans* Pre-conference on 9 March 2016.

The trans* hui (gathering) was a unique opportunity to gather scholars, community leaders and friends from Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Aotearoa, Australia, the Philippines and Singapore. Our identities are whakawahine, tangata ira tane, fa’afafine, fakaleiti, palopa, vaka sa lewa lewa, gender non-binary, transpinay, transmasculine, transfeminine, transman and transwoman.

Adri Pangilinan the ILGA Trans Secretariat said that, “We shared ideas on trans* rights in the Pacific and globally, trans* health in New Zealand, and where youth and elders exchanged strategic ideas to improve access to healthcare services, both general and transition specific, issues facing our gender diverse and trans* youth. We also welcomed voices from our intersex family at this meeting”.

Zhan Chiam the Gender Identity and Gender Expression Officer said that, “There are challenges in the region, including uneven gender recognition laws, lack of access to hormones and transition-related surgeries and adequate healthcare, climate change, violence, homelessness and poverty. One clear effect of inadequate gender recognition is the incarceration of trans prisoners in New Zealand based on the gender in their birth certificates, and especially of transwomen in male prisons, putting them at risk of assault and violence. The trans communities need to be consulted on how to make prisons safer.

Rawa Karetai, the ILGA Oceania, Proud Conference Co-Convenor said that, “The conference has an exciting program and is a chance to make new and renewing existing connections with our rainbow family and having many enriching conversations with one another, politicians, the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, and our many allies”.

Karetai continued saying that, “We will celebrate the true gender diversity of this region and hope that this conference strengthens our bonds within the region as well as serves as a reminder that the Pacific can teach the rest of the world so much about resilience, respect, dignity and pride in culture, community, family and self”.

ENDS

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