A very involved mother of a transgender child recently joined a panel hosted by an organisation called The Living Newspaper and attended by an audience consisting of about 100 men and women of the Jewish Community.

 Charmain Hulme joined Justice Albie Sachs, retiring member of South Africa’s Constitutional Court and author of several books about his life as a Judge during the apartheid era, his exile and his role in the drafting of the Constitution. Also on the panel was Lisa Chait, well-known broadcaster and film maker as well as a prominent researcher recording people’s life stories for future generations. Charmain spoke about Transgenderism, what it means to be transgender and who and what Gender DynamiX is.

A number of questions came from the floor. An important question about research was raised: “Is there any empirical research done regarding the criteria by which Gender Dysphoria or transgenderism is diagnosed?’ Other questions included what assistance or support is there available for the transgender person and their families, what is the prevalence of transgenderism in South Africa, and on a more personal level, how Charmain and her family are coping and where her child is at in his life at the moment.

“It was a very positive session. Before the presentation there was a lot of negativity and misconceptions being aired. After the presentation there was a complete turn-around. People were blown away by the presentation and many people came and spoke with me afterwards. A number of attitudes were changed that evening,” she enthused.

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