Email addresses and names throughout this document have been withheld under
s9(2)(a) of the Official Information Act to protect the privacy of natural persons.
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, 14 November 2019 3:15 pm
From: Media
To:
@mediaworks.co.nz>
Subject: RE: Newshub Nation request
Hi
You could attribute the following to an unnamed Human Rights Commission spokesperson.
The Human Rights Commission position is that the human rights of trans people are not up for
debate.
All people have the same human rights and freedoms, regardless of their gender identity or
expression.
Trans people are protected from discrimination under the Human Rights Act, a position
supported by Crown Law in 2006, and can take complaints of discrimination to the HRC.
https://www.hrc.co.nz/our-work/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity/your-right-
complain/
Trans people can already access single-sex spaces. In line with international human rights
standards, they can amend sex markers on passports and driver licences through self-
declaratory processes.
Sex on a birth certificate can also be amended by applying to the Family Court.
For more reading, you could view the recent report to the UN General Assembly written by
United Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based
on sexual orientation and gender identity, in particular paragraph 27.
Alternatively, New Zealand research on the experiences of trans and non-binary people has
recently been published by the University of Waikato.
Note the word ‘transsexual’ is only used by 6% of respondents; it is generally deemed to be an
out of date term. Transgender is better.
Resources are available on the HRC website.
https://www.hrc.co.nz/our-work/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity/trans-people-facts-
information/
I hope this is useful.
Comms team
From:
@mediaworks.co.nz>
Sent: Thursday, 14 November 2019 12:37 pm
To: Media <[email address]>
Subject: Newshub Nation request
Hi there,
Can the HR Commission please help me with the following.
Withheld under s9(2)(a) of the Official Information Act (privacy).
Content withheld under s9(2)(a) of the Official Information Act (privacy) and s9(2)(g)(i) of
the Official Information Act (free and frank opinions).
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, 14 November 2019 2:45 PM
From:
@hrc.co.nz>
To: Media <[email address]>;
@hrc.co.nz>
Cc:
@hrc.co.nz>
Subject: RE: Newshub Nation request
Hi
.
Seeking a comment from us to ensure a “balance” of
views are presented perpetuates the idea that the human rights of trans people are up for debate.
They are not.
The person who has been interviewed is well known for anti-transgender views and sentiments and
is permanently banned from Twitter for violating their rules against hateful conduct.
All people have the same human rights and freedoms, regardless of their gender identity or
expression. Trans people are protected from discrimination under the Human Rights Act, a position
supported by Crown Law in 2006.
Trans people can already access single-sex spaces. In line with international human rights standards,
they can amend sex markers on passports and driver licences through self-declaratory processes. Sex
on a birth certificate can also be amended by applying to the Family Court.
For more reading,
can view the recent report to the UN General Assembly written by United
Nations Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual
orientation and gender identity, in particular paragraph 27. Alternatively, New Zealand research on
the experiences of trans and non-binary people has recently been published by the University of
Waikato. He will see the word transsexual is only used by 6% of respondents; it is generally deemed
to be an out of date term. Transgender is better.
Cheers
---
From: Media <mailto:[email address]>
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2019 12:42 PM
To:
@hrc.co.nz>
Subject: FW: Newshub Nation request
Importance: High
Hi
Queries from
Newshub.
interviewing
Meghan Murphy from Canada and wanted some balance.
Can you help respond to his questions below. He knows of the Transgender Inquiry on the HRC
website.
---
Content withheld under s9(2)(a) of the Official Information Act (privacy) and s9(2)(g)(i) of the Official
Information Act (free and frank).
The Counting Ourselves survey released its findings last month showing that trans and non-
binary people in Aotearoa New Zealand experience “alarmingly high levels of psychological
distress, suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts”. They also face high levels of discrimination
and violence, as well as significant barriers when trying to access health services.
https://countingourselves.nz/
Wellbeing and Mental Health among Rainbow New Zealanders, Results from the New Zealand
Mental Health Monitor, June 2019 - Rainbow participants were more likely to report
moderate or severe anxiety, moderate or severe depression, high or very high levels of
psychological distress, and having ever experienced mental illness.
https://www.hpa.org.nz/sites/default/files/Mental-wellbeing-among-rainbow-adults-
factsheet.pdf
Ngā mihi,
From:
@hrc.co.nz>
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2019 1:41 PM
To:
@hrc.co.nz>
Cc:
@hrc.co.nz>
Subject: RE: Massey Uni
Kia ora Koutou
Thanks
I think this is the article you are referring too. The conference was being hosted by a
group of Trans-exclusionary radical feminists who take the view that trans women are not women.
The Commission and the National Council of Women do not support this position. I know
formulated a position statement on behalf of the Commission last Friday but it
hasn’t gone out yet. It’s a judgement call about how much publicity we give to this group.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/401146/massey-university-cancels-feminism-2020-event-
citing-health-and-safety-risks
Nga mihi
Content withheld under s9(2)(a) of the Official Information Act (privacy) and s9(2)(g)(i) of the Official
Information Act (free and frank).
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, 15 March 2019 9:06 AM
From:
@hrc.co.nz>
To:
@hrc.co.nz>
Subject: RE: Is the event over? I'm trying to find a livestream link but I can't
Kia ora
The parallel event went really well. The room was packed, with people standing at the back. The NZ
Ambassador came. We saw Dame Catherine Healy from the Prostitutes Collective was there. The
who’s, who of NZ NGO’s as well as a diverse group from around the world attended.
Karanina, Aych and Stella all spoke really well. It was great to have Aych there, as you said it would
not have been right to have a panel about non-binary without a non-binary person on it.
It was also great to hear Kiara St James, the founder of a New York trans rights organisation speak
too. Wonderful to hear the work that Planned Parenthood are doing across the US to offer
healthcare to non-binary and trans people in a pretty hostile climate!
The questions from the audience were all supportive and how more can be done in their countries
to support non-binary people – no TERFs present!
From:
@hrc.co.nz>
Sent: Friday, 15 March 2019 6:37 AM
To:
@hrc.co.nz>
Subject: Is the event over? I'm trying to find a livestream link but I can't
Content withheld under s9(2)(a) of the Official Information Act (privacy).
-----Original Message-----
From:
@hrc.co.nz>
Sent: Tuesday, 27 November 2018 8:50 AM
To:
@hrc.co.nz>
Subject:
Good interview of Louisa Wall on the trans exclusionary group on nation radio right now!
