This presentation delivers an overview of Dr Kerry’s  book: Trans Dilemmas. Living in Australia’s Remote Areas and in Aboriginal Communities, published by Routledge in September 2017.

The book is based on the findings of a three-year project which explored the lived experiences of trans Territorians; two of the most pressing issues raised by the participants were social isolation and difficulties accessing health care. While these are not issues which are only faced by those living in the NT, the specific geographic and demographic features of remote areas aggravates them. This presentation also discusses those issues which are unique to Australia’s trans First People’s, also known as sistergirls and brotherboys. As well as sharing those issues faced by trans Territorians, sistergirls and brotherboys also experience racism in predominantly white transgender communities and transphobia in traditional Aboriginal communities.

Presenter

Dr Stephen Kerry is a lecturer in sociology at Charles Darwin University and has been involved in queer activism for 27 years. Over the past 17 years, xie* has dedicated hir academic career to the pursuit of knowledge pertaining to the health and wellbeing of intersex and transgender Australians, as well as anyone who lives on the gender margins of society. Xie lives in Darwin with two feline furbabies. 

*Dr Kerry uses gender-neutral pronouns.