This article was originally published by QNews. You can find the original article here.
Over a thousand people gathered in Melbourne today to Protect Trans Youth in a national day of action.
Today we came together, standing in solidarity with the transgender community and the 491 children and families affected by the sudden hormone therapy ban in Queensland.
“We all know it. We ain’t twisted. Trans folk have always existed.”
A simple yet powerful chant kicked off the rally outside the State Library in Melbourne.
It was one of 20 rallies this weekend across Australia protesting the ban and the use of transgender children as a political football.
“It was a beautiful thing to see,” trans activist Brenda Appleton OAM said.
“Twenty years ago when we were fighting, we didn’t have this. I couldn’t have imagined it. The support is so important.”
Brenda has shared her lived experience as a proud transgender woman to improve the health and well-being of the community for decades.
“I thought we’d come so far, but when you look at what’s happening right now, maybe we haven’t,” Brenda said.
“But to see this representation and everyone coming together is everything.”
With banners, signs, and flags, trans and gender-diverse folk, parents, allies, community groups and health organisations came together to show support.
Kylie and Sam from Gippsland Pride Initiative travelled two hours to stand in solidarity.
“We’ve got so many friends and family that are transgender and non-binary. And these kids are scared – rightfully so,” they told us.
“We’ve come so far in science and medicine, we need to stand up and say let’s not go backwards.
“We’re here today because that’s not something we want to do.
“We’ve seen the lives it saves, and we want our trans and gender-diverse community to know that they are not alone.
“We are here with you, and we will stand on the front line with you.”
Experiencing an increase in transphobia
Teen trans activist Frankie Mazzone spoke first with her mother by her side.
“The Queensland Government’s decision to pause gender-affirming care for trans youth is yet another attack on our community,” Frankie said.
“As an advocate for trans youth, I often feel a level of responsibility to be positive about being trans,
“Particularly because I’m one of the lucky ones with access to gender-affirming care and a supportive family.
“But when will trans kids have to stop relying on luck to have the same rights as other kids?
“If puberty blockers are that dangerous, why are children with precocious puberty still allowed in blockers?
“Why can they get a script from a doctor? But trans kids have to face a medical panel and sometimes go to court.
“It’s just another way for politicians to use trans kids as a political football.”
Frankie recounted that even at her inclusive and progressive school, transphobia has increased of late.
“I have been experiencing a significant increase in transphobic comments since the rise in negative media coverage about my community,” she said.
“All of a sudden, people think it’s their right to make hurtful comments and ask insensitive questions.
“I’ve never felt more like I don’t exist now.
“Being trans is not a choice or a lifestyle. It’s how we’re born.
“Taking away our healthcare because of how we are born is a breach of our human rights.
“I am proud of who I am but this constant debate about my existence makes me feel at times there’s not much to celebrate.
“It’s great to see so many of you here today standing with us and our families, but what we need is actual action.
“We need you to stop voting for the people that continue to continue to hurt us.”
What is happening in QLD is a step backwards.
Proud transgender man, parent and Victorian LGBTQIA+ Communities Commissioner Joe Ball shared his experience growing up in Queensland.
“Last year when Queensland changed their birth certificate reform and for the first time in my life, I could change my birth certificate to be a man.
“Before that, I could not have changed my birth certificate in Queensland without having a sterilisation surgery.
“I am so grateful that change came into effect, but it feels so devastating to have this step backwards for trans people in Queensland.
“Because that is what it is.
“All every loving parent in this world wants for their child is to be safe, healthy and happy.
“And every loving parent of a transgender child wants exactly the same.”
Ball recounted parents and trans children who received help from the “world’s best experts in trans healthcare” at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital.
“But today 491 children and their families in Queensland can’t do what they need to do to keep their children safe, happy and healthy.
“Simply because their government won’t let them, simply because they live in Queensland.
“Their government has turned its back on expert medical advice.
“Ignoring multidisciplinary teams of doctors because politicians in Queensland believe they know better than their parents.
“I remember what it was like to live in a state where politicians meddled in our health care and politicized control over our bodies.
“People had to cross the border to access healthcare.
“Now, just like back then, it is the most vulnerable who suffer the most.
“It’s an attack on loving parents who want nothing more than for their children to be safe and happy.”
We need all the strategies to support us.
CEO of Transgender Victoria Son Vivian spoke at the rally for the community and their nonbinary child.
“In Australia, as good as we have it for gender-affirming, it’s the tip of the iceberg in terms of what we know.
“It’s only kids with supporting parents that get access to gender-affirming care.
“In the broader community, there are many people who don’t want medical transition.
“We live in a space where social affirmation of gender diversity is more important than ever before.
“We’re living in a global space where the tide of hate is coming through the internet and amplified by mainstream media,
“And we’re seeing the impact on our mental health as it always has been.
“It’s really hard out there at the moment, so these shows of support and the deep engagement of allies are so important for us.
“Thank you for being here,” Son said.
“We need all of the strategies to support us to thrive in these worlds.
“We need people who want to burn the houses down, as well as the people who want to build us up.
“And we need a gentle interjection in the coffee queue, people thinking about their safety through being stealth.
“People claiming visibility by refusing gender stereotypes altogether. All of it. We need you all to invest in the conversations. This is going to be a long journey.”
Some community members marched in the street, with the majority dancing together to Chappell Roan accompanied by the Snuff Puppets.
Trans kids deserve to become trans adults. We will continue to stand with you and support you.
