Transcend Australia
Transcend Australia delivers peer support services to trans and gender diverse young people and their families, parents and carers. In 2021–2022, Transcend first received funding from the Victorian Government as part of the initiative supporting mental health for trans and gender diverse young people.
In 2022, hundreds of Victorian families contacted Transcend. They asked for help to support their trans or gender diverse children. Most families received help in telehealth appointments. Others needed more intensive support across multiple sessions, including family members and secondary consultation.
For one mum and her daughter, Transcend was lifesaving:
"My incredible daughter expressed feelings about her gender identity from an early age. Her spark began to fade once she started school, where she was experiencing intense transphobic bullying and violence from other kids.
We linked in to Transcend around the time that our daughter expressed feelings about being transgender ... Transcend’s support to our family during this time was literally lifesaving. Transcend provided me with information and support so I could feel more confident to support my daughter, and the knowledge I needed to advocate for her. The help we received enabled us to navigate health systems and to connect with other families.
Through the activities that Transcend run, our daughter has even developed deep friendships and made a new best friend. She is also celebrated by her school community. Our child is now a 14-year-old girl who is so excited about her future and I couldn’t be more proud."
We also engaged Transcend Australia in 2022 to lead a co-design process for the trans and gender diverse care and referral pathways project to improve care for trans and gender diverse young people and their families across primary, community and hospital services.
Proud 2 Play is getting sporting clubs Rainbow Ready
LGBTIQA+ communities still face discrimination in community sporting clubs. This can lead to mental health issues, social isolation and a lack of lifelong involvement in physical activity.
Proud 2 Play is an organisation that aims to remedy this so the benefits of sport and active recreation are available to everyone.
Sport and Recreation Victoria proudly supports Proud 2 Play under the Together More Active grant program to deliver its Rainbow Ready Clubs program to 10 community sporting clubs in Cardinia Shire Council and Nillumbik Shire Council.
The Rainbow Ready Clubs program aims to increase the capacity of clubs to create and increase fair, diverse and inclusive spaces. This is through a 5-step process including assessment, education consultation, engagement and adoption.
"The Rainbow Ready club program has been a very informative and educational process for us. It has given us a greater understanding of the barriers into sport for the LGBTIQ+ community, and how we can possibly assist in breaking those barriers down. Some of the actions we have taken so far have been to place some posters around the gym, and include LGBTIQ+ inclusive language on our website, social media and email signatures. We are aiming to implement LGBTIQ+ focussed programs and create an event for a day of significance that features a LGBTIQ+ role model/athlete, after consultation with LGBTIQ+ community groups. We have already had anecdotal evidence that what we are doing so far is helping the LGBTIQ+ community feel more welcome at our gym, which is amazing!"
- Reach Gymnastics.
This program ensures clubs are better equipped to be welcoming and inclusive spaces. We are supporting all Victorians to be proud participants in sport and active recreation throughout their lives.
LGBTIQA+ community experience in ageing well
Older members of the LGBTIQA+ community experience health and wellbeing challenges at a much higher rate than the non-LGBTIQA+ population. Many experience loneliness and isolation at greater rates. They are also more likely to have had negative experiences in the health care sector.
Peter and Simon married recently after many years together. Now, as both near 85, they are considering care options for their later years. Aged care accommodation is not an attractive option. As Peter said, ‘We are comfortable in our present home. I am concerned about the possibility of being discriminated against if we ever have to seek accommodation in an aged care facility.’ Simon agreed, saying, ‘I’m not sure I want to be a gay man in a straight care facility. I’ve already experienced homophobic behaviour in the health system.’
Quotes provided in the Ageing Well 2022 survey related to LGBTIQA+ experiences:
- "Life is lonely. Growing up as a lesbian was awful because of dreadful discrimination and I consequently have a lot of internalised homophobia to deal with on a daily basis."
- "As an ageing single LGBTIQ+ man employed full-time, there aren't many opportunities to participate in LGBTIQ+ friendly activities to volunteer, engage with other gay men socially away from pubs, bars and clubs, etc."
- "Ageing LGBTIQ+ people have a need to socialise with 'our own tribes' ... not easy for many rural and regional people. In addition, due to past oppression some older people are now coming out as LGBT and need support."
Building the capacity of community organisations to deliver community-led supports
In 2022 and 2023, the THREE for All Foundation received funding through the LGBTIQA+ Organisational Development Grants to build the capacity of its Queer Refugee and Asylum Seeker Peers group.
This peer-led group supports LGBTIQA+ refugees and people seeking asylum. It connects them with vital community services.
The grant funding supported the group to:
- deliver leadership and volunteer training events
- develop governance policies
- create a network to link the group in with other similar LGBTIQA+ organisations.
The THREE for All Foundation reported more confidence and engagement with those in leadership roles in the peer-led group.
"Our activities contributed directly to the building of a resilient and connected LGBTIQ+ refugee community and skilled self-support group through provision of regular activity, safe spaces, leadership and training."
- Ian Seal, Executive Director, THREE for All Foundation
By growing capacity and leadership, the organisation is now supporting over 300 people.
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