March for Trans Rights

Gender affirming healthcare can be lifesaving but it is inaccessible. This is due to deliberate policy decisions from our government and Te Whatu Ora.

We implore all trans people, and the allies who care about our rights, to march on February 11th. Turn up with your friends, family, and chosen family to rally in Te Komititanga, march up Queen Street, and make ourselves visible. As transphobia dominates the narrative we need to show our government how important trans rights are to us all.

Our Trans and Irawhiti whānau deserve better, and we will demand better this election year. We are calling upon the New Zealand government, pharmac and te whatu ora to enact the changes in transgender / irawhiti health services:

* Fully fund ALL gender affirming surgeries outlined in WPATH guidelines; remove ‘cosmetic’ label to surgeries such as breast augmentation or facial feminisation surgery.

* Establish māori partnership in reaching takatāpui / irawhiti health goals, remove Pākehā measures of gender incongruence.

* Increase funding for gender affirming genital service and investigate barriers to accessing gender affirming surgeries. Lower referral age for surgery, and age required to legally change one’s own name to 16.

* Remove ALL financial barriers for BDMRR related costs on the basis of gender incongruity with legal documents; fund rainbow community groups for initiatives around accessing gender affirming clothing.

* Fully fund the most efficient, safe and contemporary trans medicine, Eg. funding oestrogen injections, implants and transdermal gels. Review PATHA guidelines WITH consultation of transgender people of all demographics.

We hope to see you there, mana takatāpui, mana irawhiti - we are NOT going anywhere. 

There will also be a simultaneous march in Pōneke on Saturday February 11th at 11am, find more info on the March for Rights - Pōneke Facebook page