Thanks for having me ReachOut and everyone out there for contributing awesome questions. Big thanks to my co-pilot Kai, I always learn something new when i listen to people's lived experience ... View more

Hey thanks for sharing that knowledge @Tiny_leaf  and thanks for your excellent contributions and questions tonight.  ... View more

Is there a way to become more conscious about using gender neutral pronouns with friends who you used to refer to them with gendered pronouns? How can I be an ally to my friends?   Use the right pronouns and name, stick up for them when others dont. Apologise but move on quickly if you make a mistake. Be the change you want to see in the world and get involved in events and activities that spread love and acceptance     Can your gender identity change over a lifetime? A year? A day? Sure, humans vary in so many ways and over time. I think its probably like sexuality though it's not likeley to swing wildly from one end to the other (or at least i have not ever seen that). Shifts from binary to non-binary happen and vice-versa. This would be a great epidemiological research topic for any budding scientists, sexual health nurses or psychologists out there ;) ... View more

At what age do you think that kids/teens/young adults know their gender identity and at what age can they make decisions about transitioning?   Developmental psychologists research this a lot and we know that most people know their gender identity by age 5. This doesn't mean that all people yell this from the rooftops at age 5 because there is also this process called binary socialisation which is constant reinforcement from the moment you are born that your sex = gender and there are only two boxes. Most young people come out after puberty has begun or as adults when they become aware that the difference they have always felt has a name... and they feel safe enough to do so     ... View more

On the forums we often hear from young people about coping with gender dysphoria. What are some good ways to cope with gender dysphoria in everyday life?   Great question:  Health research tells us that pubertal suppression reduces body gender dysphoria in young people and I have certainly seen that in the 100's of young people I have worked with. Pausing a young person’s puberty dramatically reduces distress as it stops or reduces a person’s body from changing in a direction that is not in alignment with their gender identity.    https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/134/4/696 De Vries et al. 2014 In this research they show that  young people who were supported with pubertal suppression and then gender affirming hormones at 16yrs have the same mental health outcomes as the general population and were more likely to achieve in higher education - we hear so much about Trans youth having more trouble with mental health so effectively this is saying that they have no more chance of depression or anxiety than anyone else! How good is that?!   Want to know more about pubertal suppression and gender affirming hormones check out this video which shows you what a difference it can make https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzbtSeVZeEE      Affirming language is very powerful in reducing social dysphoria eg always using a person’s preferred name and pronouns, even when they are not there. It costs us nothing and can do no harm even if someone was still questioning.   Self care yaaaaas @KaiRoe  this is so important - have compassion for yourself, it can be a tough ole world ... View more

Gender diversity has transcended centuries- So why have gender discussions become an increasingly important and discussed topic only in recent years? Why hasn't it been talked about more openly earlier?   I know most participants here know that d iverse gender has always existed on every continent there are so many different language words to describe gender beyond the binary http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/content/two-spirits_map-html/   but the  social change that has made it safer for Trans and gender diverse people to disclose identity is not everywhere.  Also many people are speaking up about who they are to access treatments that can reduce gender dysphoria. We dont think there are more trans people just more known trans people. The big rise has been in youth because they can find stories online that resonate with their experiences which helps them communicate how they are feeling. Many years ago (pre trans celebrities) adults would see a TV special and realise for the first time in their life that there was a word for how they have felt all their lives. Im like pre-internet old and I can tell you that no-one knew the word trans or what that meant when I was at Uni!!!  Cant talk about something or disclose your identity if you dont have any words for it or think you are the only one   Not safe everywhere: :( https://ilga.org/maps-sexual-orientation-laws ... View more

What contributes to the higher rates of mental health concerns with young people who are gender diverse?   I hear you @KaiRoe a big part of it is cisnormativity and heteronormativity dominate Aussie society- this suggest s that being straight and cisgender are normal and everything else... well isnt. Gender and sexuality diverse people are a minority and there is this thing called minority stress which can really affect your mental health. Happens to folks who are differently abled or from a different  cultural background too. Basically its hard putting up with people's assumptions, prejudice and discrimination - it gets you down and makes you anxious . . . ... View more

What are some supports and resources for people questioning their gender? I agree with @KaiRoe the internet and youtube can be good source of information and also connection with other folk if you cant get to a group or don't have friends who get this stuff.    When im talking to people who are questioning I speak about the need to experiment and try things out, we cant figure out who we are sitting back and thinking about it all alone in our heads. Its a really natural part of growing up to be contemplating who you are and talking to people is a great start   Lots of LGBTIQAP+ groups out there - not only good for social support but a nice way to find out latest and best information about your local area   ... View more

@KaiRoe @Tiny_leaf  re costs   Private professionals may have gap fees. Check with your local LGBTIQAP+ youth service for your local health options. When you go to a children's gender service in a public hospital (under 18 years, sometimes under 16 years) its free or just a small gap fee at the pharmacy if you don't have a healthcare card, all the professional appointments are no charge QLD:   https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/service-gender-clinic/ VIC:  https://www.rch.org.au/adolescent-medicine/gender-service/ They also see Tasmanians in VIC clinic WA: https://pch.health.wa.gov.au/Our-services/Mental-Health/Gender-Diversity-Service NSW http://www.hnekidshealth.nsw.gov.au/site/gender https://www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Westmead-Hospital/Adolescent---Young-Adult-Medicine/Adolescent-Ambulatory-Care-Centre ... View more

@Tiny_leaf " more support around social transitioning"   What would the community like to see with this suggestion? What comes to mind for me a t the QLD Children's gender service : - counselling and information with families to help them support their child's social transition  - letters to support change of gender marker on medicare cards, passport forms - advocacy at schools, phoning them etc to explain why change in uniform important and how changing names and pronouns supports a young person to feel safe, validated and learn at school ... ... View more

Great idea @Tiny_leaf " See how it feels referring to yourself with different names, pronouns and genders ."   I suggest to folks to give a name they want to try when ordering at Boost or a Cafe and see how it feels when they call it out for you ... View more

What is the process for starting HRT in Australia? And which medical professionals are involved in the prescription of hormones?   Gender affirming hormones are prescribed by medical specialists with experience in this such as gender specialist GP’s, endocrinologists and sexual health physicians.    If you have not finished puberty yet or are are younger adolescent you would probably start with pubertal suppression first (before hormones)   For young people we have the Australian Standards of Care which outline the process for young people under 18 years, you can read them here:  https://www.rch.org.au/adolescent-medicine/gender-service/ The guidelines for adults are the World Professional Association of Transgender health (WPATH) Standards of Care https://www.wpath.org/publications/soc ... View more

  What are your top three things/pieces of advice you have for those questioning their gender?   Be your authentic self - you are perfect how you are and the world is brighter because you exist within it Stay strong and keep reaching out for support until you get to the right people - they are out there Connect with the LGBTIQAP+ community to see yourself reflected and celebrated ... View more

@KaiRoe  Y'all deserve it  ... View more

@Tiny_leaf Im sorry you get misgendered by health professionals. If you have a friendly GP or school nurse/counsellor you could ask them about getting a referral to your local service to check them out. It is totally ok to directly ask your health professional to use your pronouns and mark their records with this ... View more

@ecla34  Yes it was really hard back then, eventually i found a half day a month Children's gender service that they could go to but the waiting time was 1 year! So glad we have small team now in Queensland to offer psychological support and medical treatments ... View more

Olivia, how did you get involved in working with trans and gender diverse young people?   Hmmm… a long time ago  I co-facilitated a youth support group called 2QT2BSTR8 in Logan, south of Brisbane (15 years ago!) I met two amazing resilient and strong trans young people who were doing it tough and found out there were no services or clinics that could provide trans youth informed support or medical care. I spoke to Trans friends who told me more about the struggle to access trans informed healthcare and that many psychologists and doctors would turn them away as they didnt know much about Trans healthcare   I figured I needed to learn more about this so I could do a better job and so I started learning and then more trans adults and young people came to see me  ... View more

I have an awesome job - I meet incredible young people and families every day. I am often impressed with the strength and resilience they bring to some pretty tough situations in life. I enjoy watching families grow together and supporting young people and parents to get on the same page and make plans to create their own life story ... View more

Hi Im Olivia (she/her) cis, Trans ally. I’m a psychologist and coordinate the QLD Children’s Gender Service in Brisvegas . 3 fun things My doggies light up my life Im a Bushranger… a basketball player in a queer team called the Bushrangers I’m wearing sock slippers with dogs on them ... View more

Hi there, looking forward to getting started Olivia ... View more