Gender & Sex Recognition

In 2013, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 was amended to introduce new protections from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status in many areas of public life.

These legal protections are complemented by the Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender, which commenced in July 2013. 

The guidelines recognise that individuals may identify as a gender other than the sex they were assigned at birth, or may not identify as exclusively male or female.

RMC statement on Sex and Gender :

Definitions of sex and gender binaries are upheld by structural violence.

Gender is part of a person’s personal and social identity. It refers to a way a person feels and sees themselves. It can be about differences in identity, expression and experience as a woman, man or gender diverse person.
Gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth.  
Gender is a complex and multifaceted concept that extends beyond a simple binary classification.  

RMC embraces the Darlington Statement  for people identifying as Intersex, the consensus statement by Australian and Aotearoa/New Zealand intersex organisations and independent advocates.

At RMC we embrace Gender Identity as:

Non-binary:  gender sits outside of the spectrum of man or woman or male and female. A person who is non-binary might feel like they have a mix of genders, or like they have no gender at all.

A person might identify solely as non-binary or relate to non-binary as an umbrella term. They might consider themselves as genderfluid, genderqueer, trans masculine, trans feminine, agender or bigender.

Intersex : physical or biological sex characteristics (such as sexual anatomy, reproductive organs, hormonal patterns and/or chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions for male or female bodies. For some people these traits are apparent prenatally or at birth, while for others they emerge later in life, often at puberty

Sistergirl: Within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities gender diverse people that have a female spirit and take on female roles within the community, including looking after children and family.

Brotherboy: Within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities gender diverse people that have a male spirit and take on male roles within the community.

Agender : Identifying as having no gender. 

Bigender: Identifying as two genders, either simultaneously or switching between them.

Gender-fluid: Experiencing a gender identity that varies over time

Pan Gender :Identifying with many or all genders. 

Xenogender: gender identities that are influenced by concepts beyond traditional human understandings of gender.

Two-Spirit: A term used by some Indigenous North American cultures to describe a person embodying both masculine and feminine spirits.

Hijra: Recognized as a third gender in South Asian cultures.

Fa’afafine: A gender identity in Samoan culture.

Neurodiverse & Queer affirming Assessments 

RMC embraces the Capital of Equality Strategy 2024 -2029

RMC is a safe space where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer, 

other gender and bodily diverse clients are truly heard and understood.

Rainbow-Mandala Clinic is :

Gender affirming

Queer affirming

Neurodiversity affirming

Trauma Informed

A neurodiversity-affirming approach recognises and values the diversity of human brains

and minds. This approach emphasises the strengths and unique abilities of neurodivergent

people and advocates for their inclusion, acceptance, and support within society.

At RMC we embrace : 

Diversity & inclusion: Recognising that there are no "normal" brains and that

neurodivergence contributes to diversity, which is beneficial for society. 

Adjusting expectations: Accepting diversity in communication and not expecting

neurodivergent people to conform to neurotypical standards. 

Medical model: Rejecting the medical model that views neurodivergence as

inherent defects and instead recognising the strengths and abilities of

neurodivergent people. At RMC we embrace the idea that medication for ADHD offers many benefits when working and studying in a predominately neurotypical world. 

Our neurodiversity-affirming approach is grounded in the social model of disability.
The social model of disability is now the internationally recognised way to view and address ‘disability’. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) marks the official paradigm shift in attitudes towards people with disability and approaches to disability concerns.

We celebrate and embrace neurodivergence, focusing on creating supportive, inclusive spaces that respect each person’s identity.

By using a strengths-based and human rights approach, we ensure that therapeutic environments are safe, comfortable, and empowering for every autistic and neurodivergent person.

Our Team : 

At RMC we have a deep understanding that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are two distinct neurodevelopmental disorders, but they can sometimes present with overlapping symptoms. This overlap can make diagnosis challenging, especially since both conditions can co-occur in the same individual.

While there are similarities, there are also very distinct differences. At RMC we have clinical experience of understanding how stimulant medication may potentially trigger a different and unique set of mild side effects within Clients who present with AuDHD.

• Are deeply aware of The lack of research on understanding, identifying, assessing and treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The lack of knowledge and awareness about ADHD in some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Acknowledge this may result in  over-diagnosis or under-diagnosis of ADHD, resulting in stigma or a lack of treatmen

• Embrace and offer access to gender-affirming healthcare, for trans and gender-diverse individuals,  through psychiatric assessments, with a true understanding of the discrimination and prejudice that is present in society

• Recognise Neurodiverse minds may question the actions and interactions of others, and this complexity can lead to Rejection Sensitivity  Dysphoria. Our Rainbow Team appreciate the mindful activity of all our communication, written and verbal

• Understand the lifelong struggles faced by our neurodiverse clients before receiving an ADHD diagnosis and how ASD can lead to a separate and yet combined set of further unique challanges

• Understand the complexity at the intersection of neurodiversity and gender diversity, and how rejection sensitivity can intensify this complexity and distress.

• Recognise the very real concerns of being supported by a Gender affirming & Queer affirming Psychiatrist