28 September 2007 

Wits’s Psychology department offers a course module in Social Psychology that is focused on intergroup relations – the behaviour of groups towards each other.

Social Psychology a discipline which aims at an integration of the psychological functioning of individuals with the social settings, small and large, in which this functioning takes place.  It looks at individual behaviour as it interacts with its social context, and as it, more often than not, derives from that context. 

Most of human action is social interaction.  Much is created by social interaction which shapes and modifies even those of our activities which often appear to us as individually determined. 

6 September 2007

LifeLine invited Gender DynamiX to do a presentation as part of their volunteer training. Board Member and media liaison, Robert Hamblin represented Gender DynamiX during this training session.

“It is tough to tell people about Trans Issues in 20 minutes but it was an introduction to them and a door to our website and services. This way they know where to direct people with these issues when confronted with them. I showed one of my films to try and appeal to them on a more personal level too. Several people approached me for more info after the event ” said Hamblin.

LifeLine offers anonymous, confidential telephone counselling 14 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year on a toll-free line. They communicate with clients in all of the eleven official South African languages.

August 2007 

OutRhodes is a society at the Rhodes University which celebrates the sexual orientation of all students, with specific focus on the issues of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gendered students.

They provide an environment which is comfortable, supportive and fun for all students, whether if they are coming OUT or just want to have a great time. OutRhodes is also determined to educate those students who are prejudiced against homosexuals, bisexuals and trans-gendered people.

During their annual Pride week on campus Gender DynamiX was asked to give a presentation as part of their program. It was well attended and people showed great interest in the discussion. I had also the chance to meet with three of the local trans-women of Grahamstown.

July 2007 

A group of psychiatrists and psychologists called Shrink Rap meet every month in Johannesburg. They invite guest speakers to talk about various subjects. In July 2007 Robert Hamblin, board member of Gender DynamiX gave a talk to this group about his transition. He used his small films between episodes of telling his life history his battle with Gender Dysphoria.
 
“I tried to weave a lot of relevant information about Standards of Care in my lecture. I try to convey that there is a lot of information available to take care of a transgender client/ patient. I stressed on numerous occasions that is a world wide movement to de-pathologise Transsexuality from a mental disorder to a medical condition. Most of them had never had a trans client but the reception was very positive.”