Statement From The Minister For Equality

Today, on Trans Day of Remembrance, we commemorate and honour the lives of our trans and gender diverse 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.

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.

Days of significance are an important opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made, and recognise the work that still lies ahead .

I will keep working across government to call out transphobia in all forms.

I will continue to listen and advocate on behalf of our LGBTIQA+ communities to achieve true equity and equality across our systems and services.

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.

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 call 1800 184 527

Rainbow Door at rainbowdoor.org.au or call 1800 729 367 (10am – 5pm)

13 YARN for First Nations support on 13 92 76 (24/7)

1800 RESPECT - 1800 737 732 (24/7)