Tales of gender change
Storybook for kids
A ROYAL Children’s Hospital director is calling on a Geelong author’s trilogy of children’s books about young people changing genders to be available in schools and libraries.
Newtown resident Kate Downey is set to launch Lucy Star at 7 and Lucy Star at 13 at the end of the month with the final instalment Lucy Star at 18 to follow next year.
The first-person stories centre on a fictional character who is born a boy, and depicts the physical, emotional, medical and legal journey to become Lucy.
Associate Professor Michelle Telfer, director of the Gender Service at RCH, said she would recommend the books to patients, including the “large cohort” of children from Geelong who access the service for assessment.
“It will be a fabulous resource to have in schools and one that would be great to have in public libraries, book shops and we would also be recommending it to our patients as a resource,” she said.
“It’s different to the existing literature and takes a more everyday look (at the experience) and addresses the change over time.”
Prof Telfer said the numbers of young people accessing the RCH Gender Service has increased in an “extraordinary way” because of a change in attitudes and understanding.
“What we have seen over the last 10 years is a very rapid rise in referrals, jumping from one new case a year in 2007 to approximately 250 new this year,” she said.
Ms Downey, a first-time author, said she wants to see Lucy in every school and library across the world.
“They are hopefully going to be a resource for not just children but adults and teachers and parents,” Ms Downey said.
“Fear dissipates, and ignorance dissipates, once you become familiar with a group or a community and get educated.
“When you look at the stats of bullying, harassment and suicide that gender diverse people experience, it’s alarming. I hope Lucy saves lives.”
Ms Downey said the idea for a children’s book came to her about two years ago after hearing the stories of Geelong transgender people.
At the back of each book there is a resource kit with information, websites and contact details for parents or teachers.
An Education Department spokesman said the department wasn’t aware of the books.
The first two books will be launched at Readings Book Shop, St Kilda, at 4pm on November 25. To buy the books call Paton Books on 5229 6622.