26 March, 2014
Media Statement
Trans gender rights lacking
Acting Commissioner Allanah Lucas is proud to be the co-host of the second Isabelle Lake
Memorial Lecture to be held at the UWA Westfarmers Lecture Theatre tonight at 6.00pm.
The lecture will be delivered by Aram Hosie who is a queer identified transgender man from
Perth WA.
He has been involved in advocating for the rights of lesbian gay bi-sexual, trans and
intersex LGBTI people nationally and internationally for over a decade.
Ms Lucas said “The Isabelle Lake Memorial Lecture is an initiative of the Equal Opportunity
Commission of Western Australia in partnership with the University of Western Australia to
honour the work and achievements of the late Ms. Isabelle Lake, a young trans rights
activist, former employee of the Commission and University of Western Australia student.
“Sadly Isabelle lost her battle to leukaemia just weeks before her 22 nd birthday, but her
dedication to trans rights and gender equality inspired all who worked with her.
“Not only did WA’s LGBTI community lose a passionate and committed young activist but so
did the Australian community at large.”
Ms Lucas said that the lecture is to honour Ms Lakes work and to draw attention to the
issues faced by transsexual, transgender, intersex and gender diverse people.
“We wish to raise awareness of the discrimination that many continue to experience.
“On the ground of Gender History The WA Equal Opportunity Act 1984 is limited to certain
protections in that it only provides protection after a person’s gender is legally amended,
and not during the time of transition.
It is unclear as to what protection it provides to intersex people.”
FOR ADDITIONAL COMMENT: Public Affairs Officer, Colleen Mack
(08) 9216 3911 mob 0437 213 837
Level 2, 141 St Georges Terrace, Western Australia 6000 - Tel: (08) 9216 3900 –Fax: (08)
9216 3960
Email: eoc@eoc.wa.gov.au Website www.eoc.wa.gov.au