Call for Hawke's Bay to rise up and accept trans community as Labour vows support

Trinity Ice, centre, surrounded by the Topp Twins in 2016, said her childhood in Hawke's Bay was challenging. Photo / File

Hawke's Bay's rainbow community says a Labour party policy will - if enacted - alleviate stress and help them to be accepted in society.

The Labour Party has promised to ban the practice of conversion therapy and provide mental wellbeing services for the LGBTQ+ community, support in the health service, and gender neutral bathrooms in schools.

Stacey Tito, a youth worker and clinical leader at Directions Youth Health Centre said, "The policy will be so great for our trans community. More money in mental health will help those in transition, because they have to see a counsellor and a psychiatrist before they can begin hormones."

Trinity Ice, a Hawke's Bay-born transgender women said, "The policy will alleviate so much, It means we can just exist and be free, and no longer be seen as a freakshow. It's so good to have Labour supporting such a big thing.

"People need to realise that being transgender is a duty within ourselves. We don't want a hoohah party, we just want to get on with it and keep moving forward."

Ice had difficulty growing up in Hawke's Bay, "As a small town, it really wasn't great for someone like me. I came out in third form, and I was the only person like me at my school. I don't think I met a gay person until I was about 17. As a teenager, most people struggle to be authentic and be themselves, so for me it was really hard."

"For me the hardest part was realising. It's really a double-ended sword, because you're realising you, as yourself. I remember when I went to a psychologist and began my transition, and it was such an invigorating moment."

Ice works with youth in the rainbow community, and liaises with the Government about LGBTQ+ issues in society. She said that for many young people, acceptance from family is often the hardest part of transitioning

"I think family believe having a transgender child is a way bigger deal than it actually is. In reality, it's not about you, it's about recognising their transition. I have met so many people who refuse to accept their loved ones for who they are, and use the respectful pronouns."

Tito said that people in Hawke's Bay should be more accepting of the transgender community.

"They need to stop being fake; saying they accept trans people when really they don't. The community isn't asking anything of them. They're just asking for their families and peers to listen."

Transgender public figures, such as former Olympian, Caitlyn Jenner, and actress, Laverne Cox from Orange is the New Black have helped with changing society's attitude to gender identity.

"We have come such a long way from where we were," said Ice.

"I went to the 'Enough is Enough' march in Auckland, where we protested Brian Tamaki, and Georgina Beyer stood up for us queer people. The Government's support for us, including legalising same sex marriage was such a big moment."