Nobody at risk

SENATOR Claire Chandler’s Talking Point seems to be defending the right of the most privileged to continue denigrating marginalised people (“Big names spark turning point on attacks on free speech,” July 17). While doing so, the senator demonstrates an alarming lack of concern for the wellbeing of transgender and genderdiverse (TGD) people who are part of the Tasmania she was elected to represent.

In a single paragraph, the senator both discounts the existence of TGD people and implies they are a threat to women’s safety. This each-way bet causes harm to real people. It also ignores facts. We TGD people exist, and are legally recognised at federal and state levels.

As a trans woman who played women’s football for 11 seasons, I can assure the senator TGD people also play sport, use public facilities and other services. And nobody’s at risk, because major sporting bodies and service providers — including emergency housing, legal and health services, even Girl Guides — have policies to protect both TGD and cisgender participants. Senator Chandler writes, “The overwhelming majority of the world’s population grew up understanding these concepts.” It’s an argument once used to justify denying women voting and property rights. But Tasmania has become a far more considerate and inclusive society since. It would be wonderful if the senator could join us.

Martine Delaney Risdon Vale