Transgender youth activist and Victorian Young Person of the Year Georgie Stone is about to make history, joining the cast of Neighbours.
Stone is set to be the first trans character on the beloved long-running Aussie soap opera, and has revealed a little more about her character this week.
“She’s absolutely the character I wish I had seen as a kid,” Stone told Australian Women’s Weekly about her character Mackenzie.
“I would have gone to this place of self-acceptance sooner if I had seen a happy, high-achieving trans character growing up.”
Stone also said that she pitched the role to producers herself by email, and was invited to audition within hours of correspondence. Stone also worked with the writers to ensure the story was true to her experience as a transgender person.
“I help them to ensure it’s truthful tat the same time as dramatic by not shying away from the experiences trans people face – coming out, relationships, good allies who listen, internalised shame from bullying.”
“I really hope that there will be some trans young people out there who have felt isolated before and then see this character and feel that they ar enot alone, or that they feel OK to be who they are, and that this story can teach other people how to treat trans young people.”
Georgie Stone’s Mackenzie arrives on Ramsay Street next month.
OIP Staff
