Mission Impossible

1
Mission Impossible

• Christine Burns MBE
• Former Vice-President, Press for Change
• Member of Parliamentary Forum on Transsexualism
• Trans Rights Campaigner and Educator
• (April 2005)

2
Trans Peoples Rights?
3
Corbett v Corbett
I hold that it has been established that the
respondent is not, and was not, a woman at the
date of the ceremony of marriage, but was, at all
times, a male. The marriage is, accordingly, void
Justice Ormrod 2nd Feb 1970
4
Thirty-Five Years of Struggle
The first response of the UK trans community was
to feel crushed, and the second was to
organise Dr Zoe-Jane Playdon Co-chair GLADD
Pressing for Change Whitehall Oct 1997
5
The Hill To Climb
6
Our Prize
The Gender Recognition Act 2004

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

7
A Land Fit for Trans People?
8
Who Are We?
Friends
Policeman
Musician
Steelworker
Pilot
Doctor
Politician
Professor
9
Who Are We?
10
Who Are We?
11
What Are We?
12
Mad? Or Just Plain Angry?
13
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

14
Bringing Home The Prize

• The end of employment discrimination
• Access to Goods and Services
• A safe community to live in
• Opportunities for family and social life
• Better medical care and choices
• An end to stigmatisation, shame loss
• Celebrating and sharing our gift

15
1970 - 2005
In memory of those who never lived to see the day