On Wednesday, November 20, Equality Minister Harriet Shing wrote an open letter to Victoria’s trans and gender diverse community to mark Trans Day of Remembrance.
Ms Shing said the day was a time to commemorate and honour the lives of community members lost to acts of transphobia, violence and the impacts of stigma and discrimination.
“I acknowledge the distress and pain felt by our LGBTIQA+ communities, friends and families throughout the recent Coronial Inquest into Trans and Gender Diverse Suicides, following the tragic loss of five young transgender women between 2020 and 2021,” she wrote.
“Trans and gender diverse people are cherished members of our community. They deserve equal rights and freedoms, to feel safe and supported, and live long and healthy lives.”
Ms Shing said she would continue to use her position as a member of the state government to call out transphobia in all forms while continuing to listen and advocate on behalf of LGBTIQA+ communities to achieve equality.
“The Allan Labor government will never stop working to ensure that all Victorians can live safe, healthy and equal lives – because in Victoria, equality is not negotiable,” she wrote in concluding the letter.
Support is available from the following organisations: Lifeline on 131 114 (24/7), Mind Aftercare on 1300 286 463 (during business hours), QLife at qlife.org.au (from 3pm to midnight) or 1800 184 527, Rainbow Door at rainbowdoor.org.au or 1800 729 367 (10am – 5pm), 13 YARN for First Nations support on 13 92 76 (24/7) and 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (24/7).
