The Queensland Gender Diverse Conference in which Dr Az Hakeem was one of keynote speakers, aimed the health and well-being into the Future. The conference was on 24th and 25th of August 2012 at the Rydges Esplanade Resort in Cairns.
There were over 160 participants which includes a great mixture of community members and medical professionals to attend the conference from national and international level. The conference also provided a rare opportunity for Sistergirls (Indigenous Trans women) to meet. Sistergirls travelled from across the country to attend conference. Healthy Communities 2Spirits program launched a new Sistergirl awareness raising resource.
Some key points that were raised at the conference included:
- To promote Transgender health as a cutting edge, exciting and rewarding area of medicine to be involved in
- To form a Transgender skilled professional medical network of GP and mental health workers to act as peer supports and share skills to medical professionals across Australia
- To lobby for the reopening of Gender Clinics in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
- More Transgender people are having children and will need advice and support from the medical profession
- Puberty blocking and cross-sex hormonal medication to be available to people under 18 without having to go through the Family Court system.
- Medicare needs to fund surgery for trans people as an essential medical requirement
- There are more genders then just male and female
- To improve mental health and reduce high trans suicide rates
The conference has been a critical step to highlight the importance of Trans Health issues and reducing stigma and discrimination.
Dr Az Hakeem 