Transgender Day of Remembrance
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (10:32): Last Wednesday 20 November was Transgender Day of Remembrance. I would like to acknowledge and commend Minister Shing for her unwavering allyship and advocacy for some of Victoria’s most vulnerable. I also want to take this opportunity to reflect on what that day means. I wish there was no need for a day of remembrance, but the reality is trans and gender-diverse people continue to be murdered, vilified and harassed. It is no wonder that, according to the Writing Themselves In 4 report, over 70 per cent of trans men and women had suicidal thoughts in the past 12 months. Certain people in this chamber use a cloak and dagger. Under the guise of child safety, they directly enable the vilification that the trans and gender-diverse communities face.
I now want to speak directly to the trans and gender-diverse community. In the face of so much darkness, I know it can be hard to be hopeful. But for progress we need hope, a hope for a future where your long and happy lives are not in question. That is my hope.