Trans Month has begun, celebrating trans strength and joy

CEO of Transgender Victoria Son Vivienne invites all transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary individuals to participate in Trans Month.

This November, Transgender Victoria is proud to launch our inaugural Trans Month celebration across Victoria.

With the theme Our Strength, Our Joy, Ourselves, we invite our transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary (TGD) communities to come together.

In a powerful affirmation of our identities, experiences, and collective resilience.

The choice of the theme for Trans Month 2024 is not an accident.

Our Strength, Our Joy, Ourselves is a celebration and a rallying cry.

As many of you know, a Victorian coroner recently investigated the heartbreaking suicides of five young transgender women.

The findings were clear. We urgently need better healthcare for our TGD community.

The coroner also identified failings in Victoria Police practices, calling for systemic reforms.

These events have shaken us.

But they’ve also strengthened our resolve.

We need a system that serves all our needs.

On a national level, we’ve witnessed the federal government’s initial decision to exclude questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status from the census.

A move that went against explicit commitments made to the LGBTQIA+ community, and over 10 years of advocacy with the ABS.

While the government has since reversed this decision for a gender identity question, the initial exclusion caused significant distress within our communities.

The exclusion of a question that would meaningfully serve the needs of people with Intersex variations reminds us of continuing policies.

Policies that offer small improvements for some communities while throwing other intersections under the progress bus.

This includes LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, Disabled, Neurodivergent, non-citizens, incarcerated people and anyone at the stigmatised margins of society.

We stand together fighting for more compassionate systems that serve ALL our needs while acknowledging the nuances of our differences.

In the face of these challenges, our theme takes on an even deeper meaning.

Our strength is in our unity and our unwavering advocacy.

Our joy is in living authentically, with personal integrity, despite the obstacles.

And ourselves? We are diverse, we are resilient, we have always existed, and we are here to stay.

Throughout November, LGBTQIA+ organisations across Victoria will host a series of events and initiatives designed to connect and celebrate our TGD communities.

Events that affirm all

Looking to connect with other like-minded trans, gender diverse and non-binary folks?

Come along to our community-wide Trans Pride Picnic on 30th November. Open to everyone!

Perhaps you’re a passionate but tired activist?

The Victorian Pride Centre is co-hosting a workshop called Channelling The Rage, to equip people to speak back against structural oppression.

Are you a clinician? Zoe Belle Gender Collective is running a Transfemme Practitioner Workshop for clinicians.

Trans Month is an opportunity to go beyond superficial conversations about Trans wellbeing.

From community gatherings and workshops to advocacy campaigns and artistic showcases.

We invite all transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary individuals across Victoria to participate in this new type of celebration.

One focussed on Trans Joy.

Whether you’re just beginning your gender journey or you’re a long-time advocate, Trans Month is for you.

It’s a time to be seen, heard, and celebrated for who you truly are.

To our allies, donors, government partners, and fellow organisations: we invite you to stand with us during Trans Month and beyond.

Your support and collaboration are crucial in creating a Victoria where TGD people are truly welcomed, valued, and celebrated as they live their best lives.

We call on you to support initiatives that improve healthcare access, reform police practices, and ensure our community is accurately represented in national data.

Together, let’s make Trans Month 2024 a powerful statement of our presence, our worth, and our unwavering commitment to a more inclusive future.

Join us in November as we proudly declare.

This is our strength.

This is our joy.

This is us.

Find out about all the Trans Month events and how to get involved here.