– Isabel Mudford interviews Kellum Steele
Could you tell us a bit about how you came to be living in Wadeye, after growing up in Melbourne?
For my whole life I’ve wanted to learn about Aboriginal culture and gain an acceptance from my people. It was hard growing up with light skin because I wasn’t really accepted by the white world or the Indigenous world. It’s hard trying to figure out where you fit into the world, when clearly, you are different. I still get really proud when an Indigenous person recognises me for being Indigenous and gives me the blackfullah nod, or calls me sister. Which I hope now turns to brother.
For my whole life I have had a pull and a drive to be amongst my people. This has been the case since I was a baby. When I was a baby my white father removed me from a community where I had been with my grandmother. He did not approve of my living conditions. Mind you, the story of my life before I was 18mths old has changed numerous times and I guess I’ll never really know the truth! Anyway, I saw the job out in the bush online and thought to myself, ‘no time like the present, just do it!’ And to my surprise, I actually got the job. That was 3 years ago now and I can’t see myself moving anytime soon.
Human rights activist Starlady (who is not Indigenous), talks about how the experience of isolation they felt while living in inner city areas, was, unexpectedly, alleviated by living more remotely. How has the move to a remote part of Australia impacted your experience of finding identity and community?
I thought it would have been harder to transition from female to male, living out in a remote community. Out here, everyone knows your business and you can’t hide away from your reality, thinking that you won’t see the same faces every day. But, to my surprise, I feel it has been so much easier out here to begin this life-changing journey, with the same people around every day and the messages of support from people that you know actually care. I’m sure there are some people that would not be happy about me transitioning in this very Catholic town, but I’ve had no issues as of yet. I still live with the thought that today could be the day that someone disagrees and I could have a serious problem.
How have your communities reacted to your transition?
The locals here are so accepting of me. Out of respect I approached a community elder and explained my situation to him, he then told me that he would accept me, and that the town would too. Over the next few days, all the kids in town were saying to me ‘you’re a boy aye,’ Instead of asking me ‘you boy or girl?’ So I have had a very positive result so far, in starting my transition in a remote community. I think I’ve been pretty lucky in that sense. I know there are lots of others in remote communities that are in very different situations to mine and are not so accepted.
The Wadeye community has been really accepting of me and my transition so far and all the children and locals are aware of what’s happening and why I feel this way. They know I have a boy spirit inside of me and have been far less judgemental than a lot of people that I know who are in the mainstream society. People in my community are starting to notice changes now, like my voice and facial hair and are commenting in positive ways. Right now, I couldn’t be more grateful. I’m just lucky, not like so many others that face discrimination everyday.
What are some of the challenges you experience while transitioning remotely?
The challenges that I have faced so far have been; getting treatment and starting my hormones, getting them sent out to me, and all the doctors’ appointments I’ve had to travel to Melbourne for, because the Northern Territory does not have the resources to help and assist transgender people. Before starting my transition, I went to Darwin hospital and was told to go to Sydney or Melbourne because that’s where I could find help, so that’s what I did. It’s not only inconvenient to travel it also costs a lot. Cost of travel interstate is roughly $2,000 every time and I’ve had to do it five times thus far. The travel also makes the process more challenging because it takes me away from family. It takes me away from my support.
What common experiences have you seen between white/western transgender people and Brotherboys and Sistergirls?
There’s a big community of Sistergirls and Brotherboys in Australia and it’s growing rapidly! There are quite a few common experiences amongst our community. Such as, anxiety, depression, discrimination suicidal tendencies, alcohol abuse and drug problems.
I believe that a lot of these are personal issues that are related to transitioning and are present in the western transgender community also, not just the Brotherboy and Sistergirl community. The difference is between the two though, is culture and the ability to access treatment and help. White transgender people experience discrimination because of their gender. Sistergirls and Brotherboys are discriminated against because of their gender, the colour of their skin and their culture. This causes huge barriers to treatment.
Do you think Brotherboy and Sistergirl experiences are ‘silenced’ by the white/western queer community? And how do you think they could work together effectively?
No, I do not believe that the white western world silences the Brotherboy and Sistergirl community. I just believe it’s not really common knowledge that we exist and we have only recently come into the public eye. Now people are becoming more aware of our growing community and us. I think that the more people that speak out like me, Brotherboys and Sistergirls coming out and making people aware by telling their stories, the more likely that other people will feel confident in their own identities. It will shine a light on our community and create a distinct space for us in the LGBTIQ* community.
You are involved in the group ‘Sistergirls and Brotherboys NT’, what are some of the advocacy issues you are most excited about being involved in the Northern Territory?
I am most excited about just being involved in this group and having others to talk to and to relate with. Its great when you realise you’re not alone anymore. I’m excited to work with this community on issues that affect many of us Brotherboys and Sistergirls. One issue I feel really passionate about is transgender awareness in hospitals. Too many transgender people are turned away when they are asking for help, just because people don’t know how to deal with transgender issues. I would like a ‘no walk out’ policy that ensures that until you have either been helped or directed onto where you can get help, you wont be walking out the door. Hopefully if more workplaces are aware of how to deal with transgender issues, our suicide rates will decrease. Everyone should be able to seek help and assistance.
