Activists around the world are clearly targeting both professional bodies and legislatures as a means of lending authority to their preferred, psychology-free “affirmation only” approach to the treatment of young people with gender dysphoria. The recent decision by the UK government to exclude “gender identity” from its proposed new “conversion therapy” legislation, should prompt a reconsideration of similar legislation that has already been enacted in Australia. It becomes a matter of some urgency that we establish whether and to what extent peak bodies and politicians are responding to an activist wish list at the expense of scientifically supported and proven professional best practice.  

It is clear from jurisdictions that have decriminalised prostitution, that doing so does very little to improve the working conditions of women caught up in the industry, including reducing stigma, harm and violence associated with the trade. Despite this evidence, the Queensland Government is nevertheless proceeding with the decriminalisation model, and has tasked the Queensland Law Reform Commission (“QLRC”) with recommending an appropriate legal framework. The QLRC is seeking feedback regarding a proposed legislative model for the state and has released a consultation paper.  

Last month, the Northern Ireland Assembly passed a bill making it a criminal offence for anyone to engage in “influencing” women inside “safe access zones” (100m) around abortion clinics. The bill targets those who protest against abortion or attempt to assist pregnant women outside such clinics, in order to “protect” women from “harassment”.

For ‘International Day of Transgender Visibility’ on 31 March, online publication Mamamia published a series of articles examining the reality of the trans experience in Australia. The articles explore first hand accounts of what it is like to come out as trans, what it’s like to live as a trans person in Australia, and lastly the changes that trans people want to see in Australia.

Recently, the Commonwealth Department of Health released a new guide for Covid-19 vaccinations, erasing all references to “pregnant women” and instead referring to “people who are pregnant”. The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ new guidelines state that “a person’s sex can change over the course of their lifetime”. And in NSW, it turns out that a male who identifies as female can be named Woman of the Year.

Over the past couple of months, we have been working hard to raise awareness about the injustice done to the Feminist Legal Clinic (FLC), a charity providing legal assistance to disadvantaged women. The clinic had its tenancy grant revoked for posting links to articles about trans issues on its website; views which the City of Sydney Council considered to be discriminatory.

You would think a city council trying to axe a feminist legal service for its politics would be one of the biggest stories in the country, but the fate of an organisation helping women and girls affected by domestic and sexual violence in Sydney has barely touched mainstream media.

Last week we welcomed the federal government’s commitment to regulate unlimited access to pornography by minors through age-verification laws.

One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage.

By Rachael Wong

Eight peak Australian sporting bodies have released guidelines for the inclusion of transgender athletes. They are AFL, Hockey Australia, Netball Australia, Rugby Australia, Tennis Australia, Touch Football Australia, UniSport Australia and Water Polo Australia.