May 2007

Professor Jane Bennett from the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town invited Gender DynamiX to give a lecture to undergraduate students. A general introduction about Gender DynamiX and transgenderism was given. The purpose was to highlight how the NGO’s in their various fields experience and work with gender diversity. Enough time was given to students to ask questions and have discussions about the concepts and current challenges experienced by transgendered people in South Africa.

May 2007

In May, as she does every year, Dr Eve presented a short course at the South African College for Applied Psychology. Gender DynamiX was invited as guest presenter during one of the sessions. A general introduction about Gender DynamiX was given and some of the terminology relating to transgenderism was discussed. Experiences and challenges regarding access to mental health facilities were also highlighted. One of the members of Gender DynamiX, who recently came back from Thailand after SRS, co-presented and spoke about her personal experiences. She also presented a slide show, informing participants about her surgery.

Gender DynamiX and Good Hope Metropolitan Community Church (GHMCC), presented the second annual GDA seminar at the Zonnebloem Hall, which was this time widely attended. Academics from UCT and other African countries, such as Mozambique, Uganda and Botswana attended. Staff from SWEAT also attended.
This seminar provides people with an understanding of different and diverse gender expressions, to allow attendants to think outside the box. This dialogue open up communication channels about topics not often discussed. It gave people the opportunity to interact with each other in a whole different way, by breaking the walls of pre-conceived ideas.

30 March - 2 April 2007 

The Body Maps workshop was presented for the first time in Johannesburg and about 15 transgender and gender diverse people took part in this fruitful, creative workshop.

The body maps were created as part of a joint workshop held by Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (formerly Gay and Lesbian Archives), Gender DynamiX and Women’sNet .

The body maps, which are produced on large pieces of cardboard, are tracings of the contours of each person's body and include painted representations, both symbolic and true, of the maker’s experiences and history and are depicted in conjunction with text telling stories and explaining areas of emotional significance. Each work includes autobiographical information about the maker, including the maker’s handprint and a personal symbol of power and hope.