By Matthew Sims
Yarraville author and Australian Catholic University Professor of History Noah Riseman has received recognition for his ‘A History of Trans Health Care in Australia’ report as part of this year’s Victorian Community History Awards.
The publication was one of 21 publications and eight projects shortlisted for 10 prizes ranging from $500 to $2000 as part of the awards, which are set to be announced at the Melbourne Arts Centre on Friday, October 21, with all publications and projects in the running for the $5000 Victorian Premier’s History Award.
Professor Riseman said the report dervied from a larger project funded by an Australian Research Council Discovery grant on the history of trans people in Australia.
“The bigger project is looking at the changing social, legal, medical and living experiences of trans people since the early twentieth century,” he said.
“The report, which was prepared for and published by the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) looks at the evolution of how health care professionals and trans people have related since the early twentieth century.
“It explores both the positives and negatives, including the power imbalances that health care professionals wielded for most of the century as well as how trans people were savvy at navigating the system.”
Professor Riseman said the report focused on the history of trans health care in Melbourne.
“While it is a national history, Melbourne has been central as the site of much of trans health care since the 1950s,” he said.
“The report is designed to inform the trans community, health care providers and other allies about the history because it is a fraught history which has resonance in the present.
“It is hoped that understanding the past can inform how health care professionals and trans community members can forge partnerships going forward to deliver affirming care.”
Details: auspath.org.au/2022/05/26/australian-trans-health-history-report
