Transgender and gender diverse communities are subject to harsh and inhumane inequalities
Access to ID documentation
Transgender and gender diverse people in NSW face harsh social and financial barriers when attempting to access ID documentation that matches their gender.
Healthcare
Gender affirming surgery is very expensive in Australia with little covered by Medicare and limited access to highly qualified practitioners – despite being a prerequisite for updating identification documentation.
Safety
Transgender and gender diverse people are disproportionately victims of physical and sexual violence.
The time is now
The past two weeks have been a harrowing reminder that the transgender and gender diverse communities are too often at the centre of social and cultural warfare.
Act For Equality
NSW has a special place in the history of LGBTQIA+ equality. It’s where the trailblazing 78ers bravely stepped out of the bars and into the streets in protest for the first Sydney Mardi Gras.
Since the 1980s, NSW parliament has acted to strengthen our rights and protections under law. But the job is not finished, and the state is falling behind.
Join Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Equality Australia and ACON as we call on the NSW Government to #ActForEquality.
Queer Thinking Podcast: The Transgender Experience
The conversation around transitioning and the life of a transgender person is still (unbelievably) being questioned to this day. It’s an area that desperately needs positive change and representation as we fight for safety, awareness and the kind of gender euphoria experienced by cis people every single day.
In this episode of Queer Thinking, we have the rare opportunity to discuss the trans experience without input or moderation by non-trans individuals. Hosted by Triana Butler (she/them), they discuss the nuances of living life as a trans person and the unique challenges and needs the community experiences.
Support services and organisations
A message from Anna Pye (she/her) – Board Director and President at Trans Pride Australia (TPA)
TPA is a 100% volunteer, trans, and gender-diverse led non-profit organisation that advocates for all trans and gender-diverse people to live their best lives possible.
TPA strives to achieve its mission by creating safe spaces for our community. From having a float present in the past seven Mardi Gras to face-to-face events and weekly online meetups, TPA focuses on fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment for all trans and gender-diverse people across Australia.
This year’s entry for Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras/WorldPride 2023 was a float named “Gender Celebration” with the theme of ‘Kaleidoscope.’ It was a beautiful metaphor for everyone to celebrate with us and for us for who we are as humans. We are all ‘kaleidoscopes’, not only for the inner beauty that can be found but also for the fact that everyone is different inside, with a mixture of cultures, colours, thoughts, and ideas.
TPA strives to promote positive role modelling and mentoring, and one way it does this is by listening and holding space for others. TPA acknowledge that it’s okay not to have all the answers and learn from the lived experiences of others.
If you are not already a member of one of our popular Facebook groups, we invite you to join; there are four: Trans Pride-only group, Trans Pride Allies group, Trans Pride Partners group, and Trans Pride Parents/Caregivers group. If you are not sure which group is suitable for you, please reach out.
In summary, TPA is an organisation committed to creating a supportive and inclusive community for all trans and gender-diverse people living their authentic selves.
Please see below to find out more about TPA.
ACON’s TransHub
TransHub is an initiative from ACON, NSW’s leading health organisation specialising in community health, inclusion and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders.
Parents of Gender Diverse Children
Parents of Gender Diverse Children is here to provide peer support to parents and those parenting trans and gender diverse children. We know that parents who are well supported are better able to support their children.
The Gender Centre
The Gender Centre is committed to developing and providing services and activities, which enhance the ability of transgender, gender diverse and gender exploring people to make informed choices.
Trans Pride Australia
The vision of Trans Pride Australia is to see trans and gender diverse people as equal citizens of the world. They advocate for, and promote visibility of, trans and gender diverse rights across Australia.
Transcend Australia
Transcend Australia is working towards a world where trans, gender diverse and non-binary children are embraced and given every opportunity to thrive and flourish.
Zoe Belle Gender Collective
Founded in 2007 and named in honour of late transgender activist Zoe Belle, ZBGC’s goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse people.
From Parade to Progress: Mardi Gras’ commitment statement to year-round action
Now is the time to stand up and show commitment to LGBTQIA+ equality, not only for two weeks of the year – but everywhere, every day.
Read Sydney Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger’s commitment to equality campaigning year-round.
Resources
ACON’s TransHub
ACON’s TransHub
Transcend Australia
Minus18
Parents of Gender Diverse Children
The Gender Centre
ACON’s TransHub
Transcend Australia
ACON’s TransHub
Upcoming events
Trans Day of Visibility Rally
2 April at Pride Square Newtown, Sydney
Trans rights are under attack globally. It’s more important than ever to make our resistance visible by taking to the streets.
Join us at the Newtown Hub on Sunday 2 April, as we fight for our rights!
Trans Day of Visibility
31 March at Fitzroy Town Hall, Melbourne
Transgender Victoria, The Ewing Trust and Yarra Libraries present a special event celebrating Trans Day of Visibility.
Join us at Fitzroy Town Hall on 31 March for a drop-in event featuring a Change of ID workshop, trans makers and service providers, a clothes swap and a youth space!
Reclaim the streets!
31 March at State Library, Melbourne
Enough is enough! Friday 31 March is Trans Day of Visibility.
We are calling a march from the State Library at 5.30pm to show our strength. To show our resilience. To show that we have more allies and more people who love us than the hate groups ever will. This is our city!
Find out more events happening around the country here. Do you know or are you running an event we can feature? Contact us here.
Businesses and creators
Sock Drawer Heroes
Sock Drawer Heroes is an online store for gender expression for the trans, gender diverse and queer community based in Sydney, Australia.
Samuel Luke Art
Shop limited edition prints, t-shirts and more featuring illustrations and artwork by Samuel Luke Beatty (he/him). His art offers alternate forms of queer and trans representation to other gender explorers on similar journeys, from tomboy childhood gender euphoria, to affirming moments of gay trans masculinity.
No Milk in My T
No Milk In My T is a brand that provides financial and social support for the trans and gender diverse community, focusing on one person and one story at a time. We design original T-shirts with bold ‘trans animal’ designs, and release those T-shirts exclusively for the fundraiser of a chosen No Milk ‘Champion’.