How do we support and empower trans and gender diverse people against the impact of ongoing attacks against their right to full citizenship? Mind Australia is doing just that with two programs that are leading the way in LGBTIQA+ mental health and wellbeing support.
The cancelling of community drag story time events because of threats of violence are part of an ongoing attack on the rights and safety of trans and gender diverse people in our community that we know will continue.
Drag story time cancellations, the notorious Nazi anti-trans rally at Parliament House, the Religious Discrimination Bill debate and the marriage equality plebiscite before that have all questioned the right of LGBTIQA+ people to full citizenship and none more so than trans and gender diverse people.
Mind experiences spikes in the number of people from the LGBTIQA+ community seeking support following each of these events, so we know the negative impact they have. Mind’s Aftercare service, which supports LGBTIQA+ people who are having thoughts or intentions of suicide, received a month’s worth of referrals in just two days following the notorious anti-trans demonstration attended by Nazis back in March.
Demand for the service has remained higher ever since, which is to be expected, Mind LGBTIQA+ Strategy and Service Development Manager Isabelle McGovern said.
“The forced cancellation of these drag story time events is undoubtedly affecting the mental health of trans and gender diverse people who already experience significant violence and minority stress,” Mx McGovern said.