Sex And Gender Education

(SAGE)

Australia

Frequently Asked Questions

Q My friend and I were wondering how SAGE could represent the interests of intersex people and transsexual people at the same time?

A SAGE at the very beginning formed the philosophy that it would represent the whole of its membership and there are many different kinds of sex and gender variant people among our members. The problems in law that affect one group of sex and gender diverse people also ultimately affect other groups of sex and gender diverse people and SAGE fights for the equal rights of all.

Q But surely transsexual and transgender people choose to be as they are and intersex people are born that way?

A That is a fallacy spread by people who know little about sex and gender diversity and there is no reliable scientific evidence to support that point of view. What we do know is that many different sex and gender diverse people come to their identities in many different ways and none is more elite than another.

Q Even if you manage to change the law you won’t change people minds will you?

A You are absolutely right that we won’t change everyone’s mind but the majority of reasonably minded people, once educated about sex and gender diversity, behave in a kind and non prejudicial way and those who don’t need to be bound to behave this way by anti-discrimination laws. All of us as members need to be educating the public that it is OK to be sex and gender variant.

Q I would like all the equal rights SAGE talks about but I don’t want to be outed to my neighbours who don’t know about me.

A We at SAGE respect your privacy and your right to have privacy but let’s be honest, if you are ashamed of what you are, then it is you that has the biggest problem about your identity.