"What did they tell you?"

They told me I had an undiagnosed pain syndrome. In 2024 I found out it was actually endometriosis after 20 years of crippling pain and symptoms. I'm mad about it, I want to channel that energy into making some art and I'll be joined by 35+ other women, trans and gender diverse artists sharing their work and experience.

This is a group show curated by contemporary artist Em Hatton to provide a connection point and facilitate discussions.

Exhibiting artists vary in art practice, age, identity and background with one thing in common - Navigating a system that overlooks and denies their needs, experiences, pain and symptoms.

The gender pain gap is real and we need to talk about it. Please join us for a cathartic sharing of stories, connection and discussion.

Location
UNO Studios
23 McCauley St

Gadigal Country

Alexandria NSW
Dates/Time
Opening night: Friday Jan 31st 6pm-10pm
Weekend hours: Saturday Feb 1st 10-4pm, Sunday Feb 2nd 10-4pm

Accessibility
Uno has step free access and accessible facilities.

Some further information about this issue:

The gender pain gap is real. There are so many stories of women and trans and gender diverse (TGD) people being dismissed and gaslit about health problems they’re dealing with. This issue is tenfold for BIPOC, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and TGD people in Australia.
Not only do doctors dismiss our health concerns, gaslight us about our symptoms and ignore our pain, they literally don’t know much about our health because there’s limited research.

Across the board of ALL illnesses women are diagnosed 4 years later than men¹

• Before 1993, women were rarely included in clinical trials²
• 80% of people with auto immune disorders are women³ and there’s limited research and treatment for these conditions
• 80% of autistic women remain undiagnosed at 18- 4
• For ADHD on average its 6 years later - 5
• Trans and gender diverse people are medically marginalised even further, with limited research and availability of safe and affirming healthcare6

References

1. & 5. Westergaard, D., Moseley, P., Sørup, F.K.H. et al. Population-wide analysis of differences in disease progression patterns in men and women. Nat Commun 10, 666 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-08475-9
2. Women's Health Victoria (2016) Women in clinical trials. Women's Health Victoria. Melbourne. - (Clearinghouse Connector; Jun 2016)
3. Moyer (September 2021) “Women at Risk” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 325 No. 3, p. 40
4. McCrossin, R. (2022). Finding the True Number of Females with Autistic Spectrum Disorder by Estimating the Biases in Initial Recognition and Clinical Diagnosis. Children (Basel, Switzerland), 9(2), 272

6. Jeffrey S, Ashton L, Ferfolja T, Armour M. Transgender and gender diverse people with endometriosis: A perspective on affirming gynaecological care. Womens Health (Lond). 2024 Jan-Dec;20:17455057241251974. doi: 10.1177/17455057241251974. PMID: 38742674; PMCID: PMC11095187.

Host or Publisher Em Hatton