Transsexual Treasures And how not to lose them

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Transsexual Treasures(And how not to lose them)

• Christine Burns MBE
• Former Vice-President, Press for Change
• Member of Parliamentary Forum on Transsexualism
• Trans Rights Campaigner and Educator
• (February 2006)

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Trans Peoples Rights?
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The Hill To Climb
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Behind the Headlines
Professor Lynne Conway

• Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer
  Science, Emerita University of Michigan, Ann
  Arbor, MI
• Major contributor to modern electronics
  revolution
• Transitioned 1969
• Sacked by her employer
• Rebuilt her life from nothing
• Didnt feel safe enough to come out until 2000

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A Question of Strategy
We need the creative talents, the enthusiastic
commitment, the ideas and contribution ofevery
HP employee. Invention requirescreativity
creativity requirestrue diversity. Carly
Fiorina Former Chief Executive, Hewlett Packard
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Tinker Tailor
Friends
Policeman
Musician
Steelworker
Pilot
Doctor
Politician
Golf Pro
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The Law Today

• P vs S and Cornwall County Council
• Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment)
  Regulations 1999
• A.D.G vs N.W. Lancs Health Authority
• Goodwin I v UK
• Gender Recognition Act 2004

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Legal Recognition
The Gender Recognition Act 2004

• Provides legal recognition for ALL purposes
• Administrative process
• Based on lived reality
• Corrects birth certificate
• Enables marriage
• Protects privacy

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Problem Avoidance
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Good Practice Guidelines

• Employers have a duty to act responsibly when an
  employee announces their need to transition
• Planning is essential consider what needs to be
  changed, how and when
• Decide who needs to be told, how, when and by
  whom in consultation with the employee

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Good Practice Guidelines

• Plan materials you will need for supporting the
  announcement
• Ideally staff should not be moved unless they
  request this themselves
• Discuss the need for absences with the employee
• Make sure Gender Identity is part of the
  organisations diversity policy
• Ensure recruitment policies dont out or
  exclude trans people unintentionally

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Good Manners

• Which pronouns should you use?
• Appropriate questions
• Dont assume things
• Behave with maturity

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Toilet Problems ?

• Enter toilet area
• Find empty cubicle
• Shut and lock door
• Do what you went to do
• Adjust clothing and flush
• Leave cubicle
• Wash hands
• Leave

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No Different in Our Dreams and Aspirations