The issues and experiences of trans and gender diverse (TGD) people in relation to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will be explored in a special online forum ‘Living Trans During C19’, hosted by ACON and the National LGBTI Health Alliance.
To be held on Wednesday 6 May, the webinar will help attendees learn more about staying safe and healthy, connecting with communities, and understanding issues experienced by TGD people during the pandemic.
Hosted by Teddy Cook, ACON’s Manager, Trans and Gender Diverse Health Equity and Liz Duck-Chong, ACON’s Community Health Promotion Officer, Trans and Gender Diverse Health Equity, ‘Living Trans During C19’ will feature a diverse range of speakers including:
- Aunty Lisa Taylor – Sistergirl Elder, advocate and community organiser
- Panda Cheong - Psychologist, community leader and artist
- Eloise Brook – Media Manager - Gender Centre, writer, advocate and academic
- Mish Pony – Trans and Gender Diverse Specialist Advisor - LGBTI Health Alliance, Trans Sex Worker Representative - Scarlet Alliance and Board Director - AFAO
- Cristyn Davies - Senior Research Fellow - Child and Adolescent Health, Westmead Children’s Hospital, Adjunct Scholar Sexualities and Genders Research, Western Sydney University and Board Director - Twenty10 Inc GLCS NSW
- Dr Martina Gleeson - Gender affirming GP in the Sutherland Shire and GP Clinical Lead for South Eastern Sydney HealthPathways
While COVID-19 is having an impact on everyone, minority communities, such as TGD people, are finding themselves facing unique challenges as it relates to their health and wellbeing.
“It’s important that we create opportunities for trans and gender diverse people to build a strong understanding of how to stay safe, connected and well during COVID-19, and beyond,” Cook said. “‘Living Trans During C19’ offers our community, and allies, a space to learn and ask questions from health and community experts.”
Presenting to hospitals and health care settings can be fraught with issues for TGD people, as many report high levels of discrimination and stigma in these settings generally. Regularly being misgendered at hospital, particularly those who live visibly trans, and those whose name and gender are not reflected accurately with government agencies such as Medicare, are common experiences for TGD communities.
Issues relating to general advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as washing hands, can present problems for TGD communities given public bathrooms are highly policed spaces for trans people, and may expose them to risk of harassment and violence.
Nicky Bath, CEO National LGBTI Health Alliance added: “Trans and gender diverse people are disproportionately impacted by discrimination when accessing health care. That’s why it’s important for us to empower a meaningful, inclusive and supportive response to COVID-19 by partnering with ACON to deliver this important webinar.”
‘Living Trans During C19’ is being held on Wednesday 6 May from 4.30pm to 6pm.
People can register to attend here.
Further health information for TGD people, as well as support resources for their loved ones, allies and health providers, are available on ACON’s digital platform, TransHub. Visit TransHub here.
ENDS
David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications
E: [email protected] T: (02) 9206 2044
M: 0428 477 042