Transgendering women's space : A feminist analysis of perspectives from Australian women's services

This article explores the social and political implications of transgenderism for women's groups and organisations. One aim of transgender support groups such as, The Gender Centre Inc. and others, is the right of male to female transgenders (MTFs) to enter what were previously understood to be women-only spaces such as women's health centres, domestic violence shelters, and rape crisis centres. MTFs whether pre or post-operative, claim the right to enter these spaces as both clients and workers. In-depth interviews were conducted with managers of gendered spaces and a small number of workers. Discussions centred around their values and policies about gendered spaces and the advantages and disadvantages of having women-only spaces, as well as their experience of trans-inclusion when it had occurred and the impact on staff and clients of inclusion. The majority of interviewees supported women-only space and employed only female staff in their centres. Their policy and practices around the employment of MTFs, or accepting MTFs as clients, depended on whether or not they considered MTFs to be women, a point upon which there was significant disagreement. Those who believed MTFs to be women supported their inclusion. Those who did not consider MTFs to be women felt that their presence would compromise women's feelings of safety and threaten not only the very existence of women-only spaces, but also they services they provide. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Response to Zucker commentary on Gottschalk's (2003) 'Same-sex sexuality and childhood gender non-conformity: A spurious connection'

In this reply to Zucker's commentary I point out that it is the meaning lesbians give to childhood gender non-conformity rather than the frequency of reporting childhood gender non-conformity that was discussed in my 2003 article. Indeed I did not, and do not, challenge the frequency of such reports. I also pointed to the importance of the historical, social and political context in which sexual identity formation occurs, and the influence of context on findings, and I reiterate this point in my response. Most of the articles cited by Zucker did not specifically explore the relationship between childhood gender non-conformity and adult sexuality. One of the articles cited by Zucker actually supports my argument by commenting on the importance of context. I conclude that it might be heterosexual men who are the deviation from the norm and not gay men, lesbians and heterosexual women. I suggest that this is an important area for further research. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group Ltd.C

Same-sex sexuality and childhood gender non-conformity : A spurious connection

Biological and hormonal theories of same-sex sexuality are usually based upon an assumption of congenital gender inversion, that is, that a lesbian is in some way masculinised and a gay man in some way feminised. Commonly, and also because of the assumption of biology, such evidence of gender inversion is sought in childhood. In this paper I present a challenge to the theory that childhood gender non-conformity is associated with homosexuality, noting in particular that discussions of gender non-conformity and 'homosexuality' do not attempt to explain the experiences of heterosexual women. By demonstrating that childhood gender non-conformity has been wrongly associated with same-sex sexuality and posing an alternative explanation for childhood gender non-conformity, it is my intention to present a challenge to the theory that same-sex sexuality is related to congenital gender inversion.C

The frustrated career : Casual employment in higher education

The use of casual staff, including casual teaching staff, is a common practice in Australian universities and the numbers of casual staff in the sector has increased significantly in the last decade. The traditional profile for casual teachers was that of industry expert and students. Recent research has shown that the casual teacher is now more likely to be a person holding several casual jobs and seeking a career. Likewise, general staff in casual positions are often people who would prefer job security and a career. This research was conducted at a regional Australian university and used a questionnaire targeting staff in both the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and higher education divisions in all occupational groups as well as in depth interviews of casual teaching staff. The findings show that the traditional profile no longer applies. Staff employed in casual positions often hold more than one job, at more than one institution and are seeking job security. They frequently, but unsuccessfully use casual work as a career strategy. The result is frustrated careers. [Author abstract

Start up and beyond : Evolving training needs for rural women in small business

The rural decline in Australian industry restructuring and the withdrawal of infrastructural services (ABS, 1998), gives rise to the hope of a turnaround in regional and rural Australia arising from the growth of new business ventures. There has been a trend towards an increase in both small business and the involvement of women in recent years (ABS 1301.0, 1997). This combination is important for a sustainable rural future, and therefore, a greater understanding is needed of how women stand in relation to sound business preparation, and attitudes to professional training.C

From gender inversion to choice and back changing perceptions of the aetiology of lesbianism over three historical periods

This study examined the dominant cultural beliefs about the aetiology of lesbian sexual orientation and identity over three historical periods and sought to establish the relationship between such dominant beliefs and women's perceptions and understanding about how they became lesbians. The findings from this study add weight to arguments that women are influenced by popular ideas about homosexuality in terms of their experiences during the process of becoming lesbians, how they interpret the aetiology of their lesbianism, and the lifestyle choices they make. Throughout the 20th century, the underlying belief about the aetiology of homosexuality has been that it is essential or biologically based, although biological theories were mitigated by the theories of feminism during the 1970s. For women who became lesbians in the 1950s and 1960s, a belief in a biological basis was overwhelmingly the dominant account. In the 1970s and early 1980s, choice was the dominant account, and in the 1990s, there is a tendency to go back to biological explanations. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.C

Coping with stigma : Coming out and living as lesbians and gay men in regional and rural areas in the context of rural confidentiality and social exclusion

The lesbian and gay community largely depend on each other to organise services and support. This informal system (in that it is removed from the State) enjoys some success in Melbourne where there is a sizeable lesbian and gay population, but does not work so well in regional and rural Victoria where the lesbian and gay population is smaller and more dispersed. This study, conducted for the Department of Human Services (Grampians Region) in Victoria, found that gay men and lesbians experience similar types of stigma and discrimination in rural areas as those in urban centres, but that this was exacerbated by the lack of anonymity in the smaller communities. Furthermore it was found that few services and little support were available for lesbians and gay men in regional and rural areas and indeed were difficult to provide in the context of rural confidentiality and social exclusion.C

Not so gay in the bush : 'Coming out' in regional and rural Victoria

This research indicates that for both lesbians and gay men the journey to self acceptance was often a difficult and stressful one, caused by the prevailing atmosphere of non-acceptance and often vilification of homosexual people. Such a context was found by many respondents to be more prevalent in regional and rural areas. In each of the domains of inquiry examined in this study, that is family, community, school, contact with health professionals and the workplace, lesbians and gay men had experiences of 'homophobia'. In the culture of regional and regional Victoria homosexuality is still considered a minority experience. This has serious consequence for how lesbians and gay men can live out their lives

Rural homophobia : Not really gay

This study, conducted for the Department of Human Services (Grampians Region) in Victoria, found that gay men and lesbians experience similar types of stigma and discrimination in rural areas as those in urban centres, but that this was exacerbated by the lack of anonymity in the smaller communities. The hatred of homosexuality can, in some relatively supportive family, community, school and work contexts, transform into a homophobia that embodies a fear of homosexuality which can, and not infrequently does, result in homophobic abuse and violence. Although the majority of research participants in this study were accepting of their sexuality and happy to be lesbian or gay, they nevertheless lived curtailed lives with a blanket around a central dimension of their lives. Furthermore it was found that the experience of gay men is not a mirror image of that for lesbians