[Greens-Media] FW: MacLaren questions Mental Health Minister on services for transgender people

[Walker, Nadine]

MacLaren questions Mental Health Minister on services for transgender people 
Media statement, Friday 22 November, 2013. 

Greens MLC Ms Lynn MacLaren last night in Parliament reminded the Minister for Mental Health about the recent Transgender Day of Remembrance whilst asking questions about services in the state for the minority group. 

"What's most concerning is that although the Minister stated that crisis services, the mental health system and general services are all inclusive of the trans* community, in many instance they are not," said Ms MacLaren. 

In response to the Minister response that all WA crisis services accommodate people with diverse gender expression, Miss MacLaren stated 'this is simply not true'. 

"Transgender people have been denied crisis accommodation or been forced into accommodation that aligns with their biological gender rather than their gender identity. I'm sure the Minister is well-intentioned but in practice these guidelines often don't apply". 

A lack of specific acknowledgement for transgender people in the new Mental Health Bill also cropped up during question time, with the Minister for Mental Health saying 'transgender' is not specifically mentioned. 

Freedom Centre Co-ordinator Dani Wright explained how a lack of clarity regarding transgender people in the bill is an issue:

"Whilst the Charter of Mental Health Care Principles could be interpreted to provide for transgender people, they do not adequately provide for transgender nor intersex people. The current inclusions "gender and sexuality" are commonly interpreted as just meaning to not discriminate against women or gay people. 

"The level of ignorance and marginalisation that transgender and intersex (and bisexual) people experience requires specific provisions for their adequate inclusion and protection". 

Ms MacLaren also emphasised the need for more transparency in the bill regarding transgender people. 

"A minority group that is proven to suffer disproportionately higher with mental health compared to the general population needs clear acknowledgement, we do not want transgender people to be invisible to service providers".