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PFLAG with SAM DAWSON
from Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
M
arch, specifically the 31st, is about celebrating International Transgender Day of Visibility and bringing awareness to this part of our LGBTIQ community encouraging discussion about our gender diverse within our own community. I would say that this area is very important these days. It’s important to raise awareness as many families are impacted as their loved ones discover who they are whilst being acutely aware that this makes them “different” and maybe in fear of not being accepted in their own family or amongst friends or immediate community. In our PFLAG meetings I have been made aware of how families are experiencing a lot of mixed emotions around acceptance but then coming up against all sorts of barriers. One barrier that really stood out for me was their child not being able to use their trans name. An example pointed out to me was when using medical facilities that their original (known as the “dead name”) was being constantly used by professionals as well as their sexuality assumed. This is painful for the transgender
28 COFFS COAST
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TRANSGENDER DAY adolescent or adult who is trying to be community has changed enormously with accepted as they are and who they identify attitudes to the whole LGBTIQA+ community as. This is not always done purposely but its and in a good way. important to raise this awreness. That is great and I know I threw out a This Transgender Day of Visibility was challenge last month to revisit our own and initiated in 1999 in response to not only our immediate family’s attitudes but it is honouring gender diverse people who had great to see that we are making inroads here. their lives taken by transphobic violence but Everyone deserves to grow and be safe in their also to celebrate and own place. We don’t empower our gender want our youth to have These awareness diverse community by to move to feel safer in a days are removing the stigma bigger community or city. generated to invite attached. These awareness discussions amongst Transgender people days are generated ourselves and have a gender identity to invite discussions workplaces around the or gender expression amongst ourselves and that differs from the workplaces around the world to share stories sex that they were world to share stories and achievements assigned at birth. and achievements with with our gender and Some transgender our gender and diverse diverse community. people who desire community. medical assistance to When Covid settles transition from one sex to another identify as we will be resuming face to face meetups so transsexual. follow us on FB. With awareness comes education and PFLAG is here to give help, support and hopefully a change in thinking and attitudes. information to families and friends of all gay I spoke recently to a wonderful mature gay people right here on the Coffs Coast. pflagcoffscoast.com couple who are planning their wedding and PFLAGcoffcoast 0417 861 045 they actually believe that our Coffs Harbour
