Carrousel Club SA Inc.   "Supporting All Gender Diversity"

 Background.
The Carrousel Club began in about 1985, and is the main South Australian social and support group specifically for the members of the transgendered community, their friends and families.

We describe ourselves as a "friendly easy-going group of people with a common bond of transsexuality and/or crossdressing  ."

Participation in the club and the friendships that are built lead to the development of member's confidence, which in turn gives them more control over their lives. It provides an opportunity to meet with others who are like-minded, providing the realisation that the degree of isolation and secretiveness is no longer necessary. All of these are positive factors in the promotion and mental and physical well-being. At the same time members believe that until attitudes within society change there will always be a degree of isolation and its associated negative impacts on their well-being.

The club is continually expanding, with numbers attending meetings and social events having grown from five in the early days, to as many as fifty. With their growth, the support that members give each other, and their association with international and national clubs for transgendered people, the strength of the members has grown.

Some members now identify themselves in a position where they want to be, and are advocating for a change in community perceptions of transgendered people, and lobbying for change to laws related to recognition of gender reassignment.The advocacy role, which these members take, serves to strengthen the aim of the Carrousel Club, that is, to provide a social outlet and support all for gender diverse, Male to Female transgendered women, Female to Male transgendered men, Intersexed and Cross Dressers, their families and friends.

 Access to Information.

Due to the sensitive nature of the club, advertising is difficult, and as a result, the Club is only able to advertise through sources such as the Blaze Magazine, through participation at gay and lesbian activities, other support groups, and word of mouth. As transgendered people do not usually identify with being part of the gay and lesbian community, many members of the transgendered population may not hear about the Carrousel Club. Information on the Carrousel Club is available on the net at our web page and also through information pages put out by other groups. This form of access to information is perceived as a more accessible, non-threatening way for those interested to find out about the club.

About Us.                     The members of the Carrousel club describe how, for much, or all of their lives, they live on a continuum between the male and female worlds. This results from a feeling of unease with the physical gender they were assigned at birth, or because of situations that prevent them from changing the gender identity that they have assumed. Transgendered people are not a homogenous grouping, some choose to live in the male female or female male continuum by changing their dress and behaviours, others have gender reassignment. Whatever the case, societal misconceptions of transgender creates a world in which access to basic human rights such as equality, freedom of expression in both thought, opinion and action, as well as recognition of identity that allows these people to move about freely in safety and security, is denied.

Many members of the Carrousel Club believe that an understanding of the terms such as transgender, transsexuals and crossdressers, are often fraught with misconception. They perceive that much of this results from their misrepresentation in the media. Carrousel Club members describe the profound effects that result from the stereotyping of the transgendered community, the most common one expressed was that of isolation.

Who we are.

We are Transfolk from all walks of life, as well as family and friends who meet regularly to build a strong social and supportive network. Our members span a diversity of social cultures and backgrounds united in the aim of supporting gender diverse populations.

The Club is a not for profit organization that provides an opportunity for its members and guests to socialize in their preferred gender and or mode of dress. We welcome new faces and pride ourselves on the uniquely Carrousel Club non-judgmental and open-minded safe space to be ourselves.

What we can do for you.

We can provide emotional and social support for you, your family or friends in a relaxed atmosphere. We can provide information and guidance, and share individual stories on transitioning. We can help you make contact with counselors, medical professionals and other supports in SA, other states and around the world.

We create an environment where it is safe to express, examine, construct and develop your gender identity with people who are doing the very same thing.