Jan Squire - Gender
This page provides more information about an important part of my life experience, and links to some of my writings on transsexualism.
In summary, I believe my brain was feminised well before birth, and I always felt I did not fit with the way I was being brought up. As I grew older, I increasingly felt I was female and this caused enormous stress because outwardly I was not. I now believe that my transsexual origins is a sexual variation, caused by my brain receiving feminising hormones soon after conception (which was outside mum's control). I did not chose to change gender mid-life; rather, I chose a path that was able to use advances in medical knowledge to match my body and life to my brain. Those changes have given me a new outlook on my life and new goals for the future. While there was great pain during the realisation that an existing marriage and relationship was failing, there are new joys in being finally able to live my life in my true gender.
For a slightly more detailed outline of my life changes, you might wish to read my
short gender biography, which describes the factors that led to my living permanently as Jan from January 1997. It provides a record up to 2001, gradually being updated to record more recent events. I am writing my autobiography with help from Colin Wurth, and hope to publish during 2005.
During 2002, Anne and I were able to write a paper which we presented jointly at the 'Feast' Festival in Adelaide during November 2002. This paper described our experiences as our relationship changed to friendship, as a consequence of my need to affirm my life as a woman. You can read this paper titled '
Transgender Wisdom - Relationships'.
Shortly after this presentation, I received information about an International Transgender Conference/Celebration, to be held in Harrogate, England in August 2003. I decided I would like to attend, and was invited to present a paper on this topic. We expanded the Wisdom paper to further discuss how our relationship changed and evolved. You can read the final version of the paper I presented, titled '
Relationships'. It discusses issues that we experienced as a result of my gender inconsistencies between my brain and body. I am now beginning to expand this paper to discuss many of the issues in greater depth, with a view to publishing the results in book form (probably my biography), or on the web. I am always interested in comments, feedback, or further ideas that will enhance the knowledge base in this area.
At the same conference, I presented another paper titled '
The Trangender Environment in Australia', which you can read. This is not strictly accurate, and there are things I would change if I were to present this again.
I am currently in dispute with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service over my elegibility to donate blood. They have recently banned me after 30 years of being a donor, with more than 90 donations so far. Their narrow view has decided it is easy to treat me as part of a risky group of people consisting of intravenous drug users, practising gay men with promiscuous habits, and active prostitutes. Even within these groups, there are people who would be safe donors, but there is little tolerance if you are so labelled. I am not in these categories but have been arbitrarily placed there.
While I acknowledge that the Blood Service have a difficult responsibility to protect the quality of blood supplies, and to protect blood product recipients, It is intolerable and blatant discrimination to attribute a sexual preference label on me, when the condition of transsexualism is a medically acknowledged sex variation. Having a background of transsexuality is not of itself a risky state. This treatment of me is also clearly illegal in South Australia, and in Australia. I will willingly provide more information if you are interested.
I have written a number of articles on gender issues, mostly while I was Editor of the Carrousel Club of SA Newsletter, some of which I will link below (coming soon) :
You can have a look at the
Carrousel Club's web site, read or download some of their newsletters, and also find the club contact details. I am still the webmistress of this site, but it is difficult to keep it updated when the current committee find it too onerous to send me current program information. I am happy to answer any questions or to provide support if I can be of assistance, especially if you live near Adelaide. I can be contacted by Email in the first instance.
This section last updated on 3 September 2006
Home |
Contact me by Email |
Family History |
Privacy Policy |
Site Help
This site is copyright 2006. Site built and maintained by
js graphics.
| 