Trans Health Australia launches as peer-led advocacy group

A new organisation dedicated to advocating for the rights of trans and gender diverse Australians has launched its national platform.

Trans Health Australia has grown from a Facebook-based news and information page to an Australia-wide campaign and support group for trans communities across the country.

Founder Melody Moore says the organisation has already begun campaigning for an end to forced divorce for trans people, affordable access via the PBS to testosterone for transmasculine people, and protection of Australia’s anti-discrimination laws.

“Trans Health Australia will be there to campaign for rights, services, inclusion and justice for our community,” Moore said.

Moore is joined on the board by researcher Lisa Mullin, journalist Jesse Jones, lawyer Phineas Hartson, musician Jaime Page, faith advocate Jo Inkpin and editor Zoey Campbell.

“We hope to provide a dynamic Australia-wide organisation which will speak effectively for trans people in regional Australia,” adds Campbell.

“Trans Health Australia is proud of the diversity of the Australian trans and gender diverse communities,”

Campbell said the group aimed to be a “strong advocacy community to represent its members, wherever they may live.”

The new group’s first goal is to establish a national advisory committee to support the advocacy work of the new board.

The panel is designed to include experts and community advocates to help shape Trans Health Australia’s campaigns. Currently, the committee includes parent and family advocates, Indigenous representatives, doctors and social work academics.

Trans Health Australia says opportunities will be open for more individuals and groups to be involved later this year.