1	Sappho gave a Party and…… The proverbial has been hitting the fan ever since A few questions and some statements on the legal, identity and community issues arising from a lesbian-only event in South Australia and the resulting EO complaint of alleged exclusionary behaviours.
2	Background and overview Complaints by MàCF trans against lesbian rights are occurring in Australia and across the world and consume lesbian energy and resources. This paper is presented from the heart space where women born female and raised as girls have valid human rights to that gender identity and in search of a positive way forward as allies of transpeople without relinquishing lesbian gender identity rights. We define "lesbian" as a woman, who was identified at birth as female and who was raised as a female and who is recognised as a lesbian by a lesbian community. This paper will raise the following questions Do lesbians have valid gender identity rights to their woman born female (WBF) identity? How have the Sappho’s Party women organised locally, nationally and internationally to protect lesbians rights to meet? How can WBF preserve gender identity rights.
3	Bare Bones Lesbians organised a private residential event in January 2006 and refused to allow TG in either direction to attend. MàCF TG complained to EO tribunal Conciliation took place April 2006 and failed EO now pays TG’s legal costs in this case and the lesbians have to raise funds within our small community ( $5000- $9000) Been a diversity of response from lesbians who attend leso feminist gatherings. General feel of not confronting directly, through to wanting to fight and take a stand. Other more important issues than women’s/lesbian space and identity Two of us are preparing for Tribunal with support from a number of other lesbians and het feminists. Our reasons are to defend women's space- not just a lesbian issue it is a women's issue. Women = woman born female Biology is not destiny but woman born female is a part of identity Global ramifications eg health budgets, education and welfare What medical texts call Gender Dysphoria 2-4X more frequent in males Globally - More laws protecting TG than lesbians (LEORR) research
4	Do lesbians have valid gender identity rights to their woman born female identity? If yes - What are these rights? To have some lesbian only space even if all lesbians don’t want to be in that space To have some women born female only space even if all women born females don’t want to be in that space To organise as lesbians, without having to go underground To have an out and proud community, proud of our identity and able to publicly announce the existence of our community If no to above then do WBFs get WBF space only when TGs do not want to be present? Dramatic difference between M and F socialisation Australian population 21M so women ≥ 10.5M Lesbians 1:7à1:10 ≈ 1M lesbians in Australia TG >24 per year, ≈ 20% may still desire female pd after transition ≈30% choose to discontinue TG or revert Many TG support WBF right to WBF space
5	How have the Sappho’s Party women organised locally, nationally and internationally to protect lesbians rights to meet? Researched equal opportunity cases Nationally and internationally – all we can find Both win or lose about TG rights to lesbian space Unless a lesbian or women’s org is defendant, women have not claimed a voice in the courts - usually it is a government department that is defendant in TG initiated cases Established LEORR Online discussion group Lesbian Equal Opportunity and Rights Research Group Sappho’s Party Website and fundraising through PayPal cheque and cash http://www.femininebyte.org/sapphos_party Presenting and keeping the conversation going Inspired some legal support but still need money to pay their costs
6	Statistics from SPI attendees
7	How can WBF preserve our gender identity rights. Get the debate going at legislative level Organise for WBF voices as a community of interest at all EO cases When global TG were attacking SPI got lots supportive emails Canada, England, Michigan Speak up even when it feels awkward Is it “I feel guilty for being a feminist so must acquiesce to any one being more oppressed than me” I don’t want to be accused of being a man-hating lesbian and so chose to allow WBF to be disenfranchised rather than risk this attack Sort out in your own mind sex, gender, biology and identity Do men become women? Did Michael Jackson become a white boy? And if you believe that is true, please be more clear than “its just because they want to” “I don’t want to be exclusive” “I don’t want to be accused of being discriminatory” It’s fine if you don’t want to be in lesbian only or WBF only space, but can you ethically and morally disenfranchise WBF because you personally don’t want WBF space?