THE SEAHORSE SOCIETY OF N.S.W. OUTREACH SEMINAR COFFS HARBOR APRIL 28th 2007

Report by Penny Vice-President

Order and times of the delivery of the seminar:

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10-30AM: ARRIVAL TIME

Meet and greet. Morning tea served.

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11-00 am CONFERENCE OFFICAL WELCOME

The attendees were welcomed by the Society Vice President who gave a short presentation on the aims and agenda of the seminar.

He then gave a brief explanation on the definition of crossdressing as against other gender based groups.

This was followed with an insight into the purpose and aims of The Seahorse Society in assisting people to understand and accept their inner feelings. He then introduced the Society President.

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1ST SPEAKER THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY

He presented some of the causes and psychological aspects of crossdressing using examples of the known theories on the subject.

He also presented some of the newer, more up to date findings and observations on cause and effect along with ideas on how to correct some of the issues created in cross dressers lives due to the behavior problems experienced by them. A short talk was also given on some of the results of the introduction of hormones along with some of the behavior myths associated with this (cause Ðv-effect).

These were discussed by the seminar participants and some possible solutions were also presented.

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2nd SPEAKER. THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY

Presented numerous aspects of living as a cross dresser in general society, speaking both from his own experiences and those of other Seahorse Society members. He also spoke at length on the very wide and diverse range of crossdressing --- from basic behavior to the middle of the road crossdresser; to wanting to live completely as a woman. This included presenting some of the concepts associated with trans gendering and reassignment surgery along with some of the events that lead up to this decision as well as some of the possible aftermath effects experienced. This lead on to one of the purposes of the Seahorse Society.. that is in providing a safe and accepting environment for those coming to terms with their inner feelings and desires to take their time and experience life in society as the opposite gender before making any final and generally irreversible decisions. This can prove to be invaluable as there are sometimes other deep-rooted problems that have not yet surfaced with-in them.

The points and concepts raised in this presentation were discussed at length and in a positive manner by those attending the seminar.

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3RD SPEAKER COMMITTEE PERSON FROM THE SOCIETY IN CHARGE OF THE BIG SISTER PROGRAM FOR THE CENTRAL COAST AND NORTH COAST

Presented a paper on social protocols when out in the general public dressed as a person of the opposite gender. What to do and how to act in public when in situations such as:

1. shopping for clothes.
2. being detained in an R.B.T. or police situation while driving.
3. what toilet to use when cross dressed.
4. generally accepted behavior by society when presenting as a crossdresser. Some helpful tips were also given on dealing with these situations and protocols.

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4th DISCUSSION TIME

Question and answer from the floor for about 20 minutes.

This included further discussion among the participants as a result of the questions presented by them to the Society members.

These discussions were all of a very positive nature.

Lunch at 1PM

Seminar resumed at 2PM

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5TH PRESENTATION BY THE WIFE OF OUR VICE PRESIDENT

Topics presented included boundaries set within the marriage, coping with cross dressing within the relationship and how to deal with the situation of young children.

She also dealt with various aspects of crossdressing within a partnership, with a particular emphasis on the personal relationship and the benefits that can flow from this for both persons in the relationship.

It was pointed out that this type of close and positive approach to crossdressing not only overrides difficult situations, but usually leads to a much closer and more honest approach by both partners to each other.

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6TH THE D.V.D. "M TO F - A JOURNEY IN GENDER IDENTITY".

Playing and presenting 2 parts of the program.

TOPICS PRESENTED

1. Conversations with the medicos
2. Trans gender History
3. A partner's perspective

A general discussion followed between all the delegates as to their reaction to what was presented on the D.V.D. One of the people attending, who is in the midst of transitioning from male to female addressed the group and told of some her experiences, both positive and negative. The points raised by her were found to be very enlightening to the group, in particular her own family's reaction to this desire and the progression in moving to total gender re-assignment medically.

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7TH PRESENTATION BY THE WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT

TOPICS INCLUDED; BOUNDARIES AND A FEMALE POINT OF VIEW; SOCIAL ATTITUDES AND GENERAL FEARS EXPERIENCED. For example - Fear of exposure to family and work colleagues along with analysis of self-esteem, self-respect and the ways in which partners must mutually respect each other's space and emotions. She also discussed the different ways of handling situations that my present themselves while living and sharing this life's journey with a crossdresser.

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8TH SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION BY THE VICE PRESIDENT

General thank-you's to all attending

Literature was passed out to delegates and general discussions ensured.

The seminar concluded at 3-45pm.

The majority of delegates remained and shared afternoon tea with the members and their partners. This provided an opportunity for good positive discussion on the day's proceedings.

Unfortunately, the President was busy for most of this time providing urgent counseling to a crossdresser via the Society's mobile phone.

This was yet another example of the everyday issues that occur within the cross dressing community.

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ALL DELEGATES RESUMED AT THE RESTURANT THAT NIGHT AT 7PM

An interesting development: the father of the person who is transitioning attended the dinner and provided more insight as to what was being experienced. This was thought to have been very beneficial not only for the attendees, but particularly for the person transistioning.

We also had another counsellor, who had been unable to attend the seminar due to prior engagements, join us for the evening.

The evening also allowed the attendees to mix socially and "get to know each other". We feel this will prove to be very beneficial in the future for all those involved.

The next morning before we left to return home, one of our members who had been unable to attend the seminar for personal reasons, met us at the motel and gave some insight as to why he had been unable to attend. The main reason was the fear of recognition by association. Coffs may be a large regional centre, but is also still a "small country town" when it comes to such things. This problem was discussed at some length by all present.

Much more informal discussion took place and information taken on board from both sides.

The general overall comments; Very informative and extremely successful.

The counsellors are now more up to date with some of the social problems and feelings of isolation confronting crossdressers and their families in the country areas. This, we feel, makes it all worthwhile.

The (down) side was the low attendance by our country members. However, the one's I had direct contact with did have extreme medical difficulties (2 were in hospital).

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CONCLUSION

Question: is the seminar beneficial to the members of the society as well as to the general community?

Answer: It is beneficial to the Society in that it highlights the needs of cross dressers who live in country areas to the counsellors and supporters by getting the appropriate information out there; In the long term it may generate a greater "bonding" of the people who are in the walk Ðby giving them a chance to share with like minded people - their social and emotional experiences.

It might even save a few marriage break-downs - family break ups - or at the very least, slow this particular catalyst for a behavior and/or depression which, as we all know, can lead to other problems - some of which can be fatal.

This is why we are trying to have at least one conference a year ,for our members ; inviting the professionals who assist us as ; who are involved in trans gender social issues ; well as any interested party's who would like to attend. What we have done is try and divide N.S.W. into 3 main regional areas ; using the principles divided by the geographics of north, west and south, using 3 country cities which are approx. 5-6 hours away by car from the Sydney metro areas. This allows people within a range of approximately 250 kms radius of these cities chosen to attend these events.

Also I am endeavouring to build not only a large communication network of information available to all the people working in the cross dressing and Trans gender areas, but I would like to increase the communication line between areas that support us in the mainstream in Sydney and their country officers. We find that this concept is working in Sydney and we call it our "big sister program". With your assistance we could, I am sure, develop this into servicing the Regional Country Areas of N.S.W. We already do this with our support mobile phone, but this, up until now, along with a monthly magazine, email contact and letters, is the only way we are able to achieve communication with our country members. These means are also used to provide information for the country social workers and counsellors. This is better than nothing, but goes nowhere near the benefits of face-to-face meeting and sharing of ideas. As we all know, using the conference or seminar medium is a far more effective way of communicating information.

It also tends to lead to more general discussion amongst those attending, thus allowing for cross-fertilisation of ideas and possible solutions to the problems that sometimes occur in our transgender walk of life.

We may be a "small" Society, but we have survived many a long year of existence. We believe the time has now come for us to help those who have helped and supported us in the past; the time to show the rest of society that we do exist and that we are not a threat to "the Australian Way" Maybe by giving something back [with the help of you in government] we can enlighten people to some of the "root" causes of problems in the Australian Society today; which in turn will bring some public acceptance of crossdressers and some tolerance and understanding within the general community.

In conclusion: In my own personal walk and research into the area of trans gender people and their practices, I have found that there are MORE out there in general society than the Australian public would like to acknowledge. We are still very much all in the closet when it comes to our inner self Ð to admitting what drives us - admitting to our weakness - and really just being truthful and honest with our inner self; to our wives/partners, our families and our own inner psyche. Why hide in fear something that we know can open up other experiences and tolerances in our own lives, not only enriching our own life experiences but the lives of others around us. Surely this is a productive exercise in self - knowledge and awareness.

I thank you for reading this information, and I also thank the members of the Seahorse Society who already have supported this, first Outreach Seminar. If you could please pass this invitation and information onto others in your organization,it would greatly be appreciated.

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