About

GIAA

Aims and Objectives

1 - To promote alternatives to surgical and hormonal treatment for those with gender identity issues of a nonbiological origin* (these individuals), with an emphasis on reconciling gender identity with biological sex..

2 - To warn these individuals of the pitfalls and tragic consequences that can result from the administration of cross-sex hormones and surgical sex modification procedures.

3 - To encourage these individuals to seek independent advice from suitably qualified medical practitioners.

4 - To lobby Governments, both State and Federal, to work with established and relevant professional medical bodies including but not only; the AMA, The Royal College of Psychiatrists and The Royal College of Surgeons to:

a) develop and implement the regulation of Australian Standards of Care for these individuals.

b) ensure that this area of medicine is, as with other areas of medical practice, accountable to independent peer review and regulated by an independent medical body.

c) ensure that this area of medicine is, as with other areas of medical practise, accountable for the management of complications, including, but not only: due care (which may include reconstructive reversal surgery) is given to those whose psychological issues have not been resolved by surgery and hormones but by other means such as psychotherapy, and have now reconciled their identity with their biological gender.

d) ensure that these individuals are not left with the only option of being treated by a small minority group of practitioners, but that the health management of these individuals is integrated in to mainstream psychiatric practise.

5 - Establish and maintain a network of health professionals to whom these individuals can be referred to for specialised treatment (GIAA does not directly provide counselling, psychotherapy or any other medical service).

6 - Investigate and keep members informed of the findings from studies that relate to this area.

7 - Investigate and keep members informed of developments in the area of surgery and/or other therapy which may be of benefit to those who have returned to, or wish to return to, living in their biological gender.

8 - Ensure confidentiality of member information.

9 - Is not affiliated with any religious or other group.

10 - Bring awareness that there is an alternative view to that of SRS practitioners. This view, which is supported by majority of the medical profession, is that the surgical intervention for treatment of individuals whose gender identity disorders are purely of a psychological or emotional origin is unethical, illusory and become culturally driven, ineffective to the resolution of underlying causes of gender confusion and should not be promoted.

11 - Inform other gender identity groups and SRS practitioners of the existence of GIAA and request that they inform these individuals that may be under their care.

Gender Menders

Support Group

Organized by GIAA, Gender Menders is a self-help support group for people who have, or have had, gender identity issues that are non biological in origin* (these individuals), their families and friends. The group is also open to other members of the community who support non-surgical intervention for the treatment of these individuals and have an interest in supporting and/or contributing to the support group and/or GIAA. Gender Menders support group intends to:

1 - Offer support in anyway possible to these individuals.

2 - Organise social gatherings and meet regularly.

3 - Refer these individuals to the network of independent health professionals (Gender Menders does not directly provide counselling, psychotherapy or any other medical service).

4 - Encourage individuals to share experiences and information in a safe, comfortable and non-judgemental environment.

5 - Bring awareness that it is possible to revert to living a full life in one’s biological gender regardless of the level of surgical invasion that has been endured.

6 - Help to rebuild the lives of those who have been adversely affected by surgery and/or hormone therapy with the focus being on the conviction that a body can be injured but a person’s core being is eternal.

7 - Provide an oasis of help and comfort to these individuals regardless of religion, age, gender, race or background.

Contact

Contact Details

Gender Identity Awareness Association (GIAA)

PO Box 499

Diamond Creek

Victoria 3089

Australia

website-www.gendermenders.org

Email-GIAA at gendermender@gmail.com

Email-Gender Menders at gendermender@gmail.com

*NB

Please Note:

GIAA understands that there are scientifically proven and recognised instances, (such as intersex genetic cases like Klinefelter’s Syndrome, Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and Congenital Adrenal Hypoplasia) where gender identity issues are biological. GIAA recognises that this area of medicine is quite separate and specialised and is deserving of its own due care. It is therefore the intention of GIAA to honour the specialised needs of such individuals and we will not attempt to be involved in this area of medical care or any debate about its management and operation. Individuals or groups making an enquiry to GIAA about gender identity issues which are of a biological origin will be advised to consult their health care professionals.