Many people ask me, when we meet, “Why all this  LGBT involvement? “Most of us are TS – yes, but heterosexual”
My answer is always based on the same theory:
- In a country, like South Africa, where there is not much (local) information available (yet) about transgenderism, many people, after a bit of looking around, find organisations focusing on LGBT. It therefore is sometimes a “natural” progression, to seek information there, which is one of the reasons why I have South African LGBT links on my site – I know it sounds odd – if you have already discovered this site. Remember, as I go along and meet these various organisations management, staff and volunteers we try to set up a way of collaborating. This is a team effort here supporting each other. And one of Gender DynamiX “public” missions is to create awareness. We can’t ask them to do things for Gender DynamiX, and offer nothing in return. To date, Gender DynamiX already has links on the following South African LGBT sites: Behind the Mask, Cape Town Pride, Triangle Project, Out In Africa and Good Hope MCC.
- Many Trans people started their own self-searching-journey in Gay and Lesbian circles, thinking at the time, that that was where they would find some answers.
- Because Gender and Sexuality are two separate issues altogether, it is possible to be any gender, expressing any sexual preference.
- 17 November 2005, on behalf of Gender Dynamix, two forum members and myself delivered a presentation in Johannesburg at the CGE (commission of gender equality) explaining various aspects to the CGE, part of SAHR (South African Human Rights), whilst the Commissioner was present. We had the opportunity to highlight what should be looked at when reviewing the Bill of Human Rights, the difficulties in the Transgender community and a few examples of discrimination. Gender DynamiX can be thankful to the LGBT organisations that, in conjunction with CGE organised this, and extended the invitation to us, to participate. It was ground breaking work!
Gender DynamiX involvement in the LGBT community:
- Gender DynamiX and Out In Africa film festival, joined forces to bring to the big screen during the festival in March, no less than 5 Trans movies and one Intersex movie – some will be followed by very exiting forum discussions, which means whoever attends that particular movie, can stay behind for a group discussion! Again it was people from Gender DynamiX forum list, T- junction support group and “friends in our own family” that kindly agreed to take part. The OIA film festival starts in Johannesburg on the 9 March 2006 and will run until the 26 March, and in Cape Town the opening night will be the 23 March and will run until the 9 April.
- As part of Cape Town PRIDE, Gender DynamiX is represented at the planning committee, and therefore has the opportunity to make sure that there will be some visibility there too! Cape Town PRIDE starts on the 17 February, until the 26 February 2006. One special event – which I think will be remembered long after Pride finishes – is on Sunday 19 February. The “Pink Book Bash” Various top South African authors will have their books there. It will be a cocktail event, starting at 17:00, with a few, very short speeches, and most of the authors will be there too, signing their books. Why will this be such a significant event? Anne Jayne Kuipers wrote a book about her transition journey, titled Anne’s Metamorphosis, which will be featured there too, and she will happily sign your copy!!! Those of you who haven’t met her – here’s your chance. There will also be another person, who is currently on our forum, who will do a short talk, specifically about “Being Trans and being Proud!” Two good reasons to go to that event! These are things, which have never happened in the past!
- Oral History project in conjunction with GALA (Gay and Lesbian archives) More info on this one a bit later.
- In the Seminars section of this website, is a lengthy article regarding the ‘Gender Diversity Awareness” workshop presented in May 2005. That was possible with a lot of support and encouragement from Good Hope Metropolitan Community Church!
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