Models of Activism session

In the "Session 5, Models of Activism" event recorded on March 17, 2011, at the Ilott Theatre, Wellington Town Hall, panelists discussed the intricacies of activism, with a particular focus on the experiences of intersex and transgender individuals. The speakers included Kelly Ellis, a barrister from Auckland; Beatriz Torre and Eric Manalastas, who were expected but did not attend; Mani Bruce Mitchell, an intersex educator; and Susan Hawthorne, the session chair.

Kelly Ellis began by highlighting their professional journey as a barrister working in criminal law, which naturally transitioned to activism focused on transgender issues. Discussing models of advocacy, Ellis reflected on a strategic, non-confrontational approach to advancing transgender rights, opting for incremental changes rather than landmark cases; this, they argued, could produce more favorable results without the risk of adverse precedent-setting judgments. Ellis traced the evolution of their work, discussing the complexities and challenges defense lawyers face, the government's increased incarceration rates coupled with funding cuts for defense lawyers, and the erosion of defendant rights in New Zealand's courts.

Addressing potential pitfalls of engaging with the media, Ellis cautioned against sensationalized portrayals of transgender individuals and highlighted the influence of representation on public perception. They posed a contemplative metaphor comparing two models of advocacy: one like the attention-grabbing rainbow trout and the second, a stealthier approach likened to an eel that thrives away from the spotlight. It was also mentioned that the Human Rights Commission's report "To Be Who I Am" is a valuable resource for influencing judicial considerations in gender identity cases.

Mani Bruce Mitchell, another keynote speaker, delved into the intersex experience, advocating for an open dialogue around the 'I' in LGBTI. They provided an understanding of intersex definitions, the range of conditions encompassed, and the frequent conflation with both gender identity and sexual orientation. Mitchell highlighted the problematic medical practices of assigning gender to intersex infants and the historical context underpinning current treatment models. They pointed to the necessity of recognizing intersex health needs within the broader health and rights landscapes and emphasized the need to address homophobia to improve the treatment of intersex children and understand the diversity among intersex adults.

The discussion touched on the considerable trauma many individuals experience due to medical interventions without consent and the long-term health repercussions. Mitchell urged for recognizing the rights and providing reparations to intersex adults who have suffered under these practices.

Throughout the event, issues of visibility, representation, and the intersectionality of intersex and transgender experiences with the wider societal context of sex, gender, and sexual orientation were woven into the conversation. The session underscored the significance of advocacy, the responsibilities facing the media, medical professionals, and legal frameworks, and the need for greater comprehension and respect for individuals' identities and experiences. The event concluded with a question and answer session, opening the floor to further discourse on these pertinent topics.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Beatriz Torre Eric Manalastas Jack Byrne Kelly Ellis Mani Bruce Mitchell Susan Hawthorne

2010s, activism, asia pacific outgames (2011), beatriz torre, eric manalastas, human rights, human rights commission, intersex, jack byrne, kelly ellis, mani bruce mitchell, susan hawthorne, to be who i am (2008), trans, transgender, wellington town hall, yogyakarta principles (2006)

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