In the last few months, NSW has endured a deeply tragic slew of violent acts committed against women and girls.

28-year-old Brisbane radiographer Caity Worthington, who won Miss Universe Australia on Wednesday 25 August, has made headlines for her response to a “horror question in the pageant world” relating to trans women competing in women’s sport.

I come to you first as a student of social work, an ex-swimmer who once wore the green and gold, a daughter to two wonderful parents, an auntie to four nieces and nephews I adore.

Anti-trans campaigner Kirralie Smith has once again lost her appeal in the NSW Supreme Court, leaving in place landmark rulings that she unlawfully vilified two transgender women through a sustained social media campaign targeting their participation in women’s football.

Transgender participation in sport has once again become the centre of a heated debate, after several South Australian football clubs lodged formal complaints regarding a transgender player competing in a local women’s competition.

Huge crowds have taken to the streets of Brisbane on Sunday morning to protest an anti-trans rally.

The Trans Justice Project has launched a national survey seeking to understand the healthcare experiences, priorities and future needs of trans and gender diverse Australians.

Organisers and attendees of a large trans-led counter-protest in Melbourne against an anti-trans rally are celebrating after their protest vastly outnumbered the anti-trans cohort. “The energy has been amazing, we achieved all of our goals – a lot of people said that it was the most fun and the best vibes that they’ve ever experienced at a protest”.

Community organisers have announced two separate counter-protests in Melbourne and Brisbane in response to planned anti LGBTQIA+ rallies concerning proposed changes to anti-discrimination and equality laws affecting trans and gender diverse people.

The Australian Greens will today be introducing legislation to establish Australia’s first dedicated LGBTIQA+ Human Rights Commissioner, in what advocates are calling a long-overdue step towards ensuring our community has representation as every other group covered by Commonwealth anti-discrimination law.