Transgender is an umbrella terms for persons whose gender identity,
gender expression or behaviour does not conform to that typically
associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.
“Gender identity” is the internal sense of being male, female, neither or
some combination of both. “Gender expression” typically involves how
gender identity is shown to the outside world through the way a person
looks or acts. Gender expression may include clothing, mannerisms,
communication style and interests, among other things
• 35% of sex/gender diverse people indicated they were non-binary or another
gender.
• 26% reported they were trans male, trans female or transgender.
• Census 2016, 6.7% trans male, 8.8% trans female, and 14.8% transgender.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics)
• Gender Dysphoria refers to psychological distress that results from an
incongruence between one's sex assigned at birth and one's gender
identity.
• Gender dysphoria often begins in childhood, some people may not
experience it until after puberty or much later.
• Suffer from high levels of stigmatization, victimization and hate crime
• 65.8% experienced lack of family support (Trans pathway)
• 89% experienced peer rejection (Trans pathway)
• Employment discrimination
• Discrimination in accessing health care
• 43% of trans and gender diverse people do not feel safe on the street
• 32% do not feel safe on public transport (BeyondBlue and La Trobe university)
• 3 in of 4 (74.6%) young trans people (12-17 years) have ever been diagnosed
with depression , 10x more than the Australian general population
• 72.2%) young trans people (12-17 years) have ever been diagnosed with
anxiety, 10x more than the Australian general population
• 22.7% of trans young people had been diagnosed with an eating disorder
• 4 out of 5 (79.7%) young trans people (12-17 years) have ever self-harmed
compared to 10.9% in the Australian general population
• 1 in 2 (48.1% trans young people have ever attempted suicide, 20x higher
than adolescents (12-17 years) and s 14.6 times higher than adults (aged 16- 85
years)
• 74% young trans people had experienced bullying
• Verbal abuse
• Physical abuse
• Increase the risk of substances abuse
• Promote inclusivity • LGBTQIA+ Health Australia (Health Programs)
• Parents need to be supportive and • ACON – NSW: [Link] (HIV)
understanding as young people who do • The Drama Down Under (STI Contact Tracting)
not have the support of their parents • Beyond Blue: Sexuality and gender
are at greater risk of poor mental health • Pride Foundation Australia
• Teachers and staff should seek out • Qlife (A nationally-oriented counselling and
information on gender diversity and referral service - phone (1800 184 527) and
incorporate equitable practices into online peer support for mental health)
educational environments. • Working it Out: Working It Out Inc (LGBTQIA+
• Promote and enact trans-inclusive health and wellbeing organisation)
public policies (for example, regarding • Rainbow Health
access to gendered facilities)
• As a medical practitioner being able to
shows compassionate, empathy, and
non-judgemental is crucial as we are
one of the first people who they might
come in and ask for support.