TransHub

To mark Trans Day of Visibility on Tuesday 31 March 2020, ACON launched TransHub – a digital information and resource platform for all trans people, and their loved ones, allies and health providers. 

TransHub was created by trans people for trans people, based on the state-wide consultations that allowed ACON to develop our Blueprint. TransHub offers the information that many of us so desperately needed, but didn’t have access to as we grew up or grew toward our most authentic selves. 

The site contains information about social, medical and legal gender affirmation, looking after our health as trans people, information for allies like partners, friends, employers, parents, and colleagues, and a whole section for clinicians who work with trans people.  

The site also includes a comprehensive language guide, and a portal to access the resources available throughout the website. TransHub also offers information specific to COVID-19 for trans people. ACON’s Gender Affirming Doctor list can be found on TransHub.

You can access TransHub here.

Trans Vitality

Trans Vitality is ACON’s resilience-building program for all trans adults in NSW – binary and non-binary. Trans Vitality focusses on trans people supporting trans people, and centres self-determination, autonomy and agency, while uplifting trans voices.   

A Resilience Toolkit is one part of Trans Vitality and it includes information, activities and resources to help build resilience, community connection, an understanding of our history, and a powerful imagining of our futures.  

Trans Vitality also includes virtual peer workshops and online community training, an eLearning on trans-affirming practice, this Toolkit and a full evaluation, gratefully funded by NSW Health.   

While we know that trans liberation depends on the structural reforms needed to enable trans people to live free and equal in every community we are part of, the path to trans liberation also needs strong, connected and resilient trans people.  

You can visit the Toolkit here.
 

P4T

P4T is a new ACON program providing peer support and service referrals to adult trans people (binary and non-binary) in NSW. P4T is currently being run as a pilot program, and is staffed by trans people of a range of identities and experiences. There is no cost to access P4T. 

P4T is operating every Wednesday and Thursday, from 11am to 7pm, and we have a limited number of peer appointments available each week. 

To apply for P4T, visit transhub.org.au/p4t, or to refer a client of yours to P4T please fill out this form. 

Yarn It Up

Yarn it Up is a virtual Yarning Circle series for Sistergirls, Brotherboys and trans mob. 

The yarns focus on strengthening and supporting the health, wellbeing and voices of Sistergirls, Brotherboys and trans mob across Australia, building the profile of Sistergirl and Brotherboy community groups, and offering an opportunity for the community to connect and come together.  

We’ve worked hard to help build community kinship, cultural and spiritual connections through storytelling and activities. Yarn It Up has had two series of yarns, with support from Aurora. 

ACON’s Gender Affirming Doctor List

ACON’s Gender Affirming Doctor List has now moved over to TransHub. You can find the new and updated map, and list here.

Blueprint for Improving the Health and Wellbeing of the Trans and Gender Diverse Community in NSW

In 2019 ACON launched the Blueprint for Improving the Health and Wellbeing of the Trans and Gender Diverse Community in NSW.

The Blueprint for Improving the Health and Wellbeing of the Trans and Gender Diverse Community in NSW (the Blueprint) outlines the key approaches required to improve the health outcomes of trans and gender diverse (TGD) people in NSW and to strengthen the inclusion of TGD people within ACON’s programs and services.

The Blueprint was developed with the support of ACON’s TGD Community Health Advisory Group, which comprised members of the TGD community, clinicians and community organisations.

The development of the Blueprint was informed by a comprehensive review of national and international literature, and an extensive consultation process. This consultation process included a community survey of over 450 people, six community meetings across NSW (Sydney, Newcastle, Lismore, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga and Liverpool) and key stakeholder interviews with TGD community leaders, GPs, endocrinologists, sexual health physicians, NSW Health officials, and human rights lawyers.

Anyone can access and use this Blueprint to support their local, state-wide and even national advocacy efforts that seek to progress and improve the rights, health and lives of TGD communities. ACON is proud to support this work and to continue raising the visibility of TGD community priorities and needs

Download:

• The Blueprint for Improving the Health and Wellbeing of the Trans and Gender Diverse Community in NSW
• TEXT ONLY VERSION of the Blueprint
• Abridged Blueprint
• Discussion paper, Potential Priority Areas for ACON’s Trans and Gender Diverse Community Health Strategy
• Consultation Report ACON’s Trans and Gender Diverse Community Health Strategy

Effective and Meaningful Inclusion of Trans and Gender Diverse People in HIV Prevention Discussion Paper

• Effective and Meaningful Inclusion of Trans and Gender Diverse People in HIV Prevention (2017)

To find out more our work in Policy and Research, please visit the ‘Policy & Research’ section of our website or contact our Sydney office: advocacy@acon.org.au

Trans and Strong Resource

Trans Sport Inclusion

Pride Training

In collaboration with Pride Training, Trans Health Equity have developed the Trans Vitality: Trans Affirming Practice eLearning. These modules are an easy way to increase your knowledge, skills and confidence when working with trans people of all genders. 

Trans Vitality: Trans Affirming Practice is a four-module e-learning for all clinicians in NSW. Trans Vitality will help you be a stronger ally and feel more confident in delivering affirming and inclusive practice at work, in services, and through programs.  

Trans Vitality: Trans Affirming practice includes community case studies designed to build your empathy and understanding as you compare them to your own lived experiences of gender, sexuality, and bias. 

ASHM Trans Affirming Sexual Health eLearning

Trans Health Equity and ASHM have worked together to develop the Trans and Gender Diverse Healthcare e-learning. This eLearning has been co-designed and developed for clinicians working in a sexual health clinical setting or delivering sexual healthcare in primary healthcare settings. 

It consists of five modules: 

• Trans and gender diverse community 
• Sex and sexual health 
• Trans people and reproductive health 
• An introduction to gender affirming healthcare 
• Creating safe and inclusive environments 

You can register to do this eLearning here.

‘Recognise and Respond’ by the Black Dog Institute

As part of Trans Vitality, we have worked with the Black Dog Institute to develop a trans affirming case study for Recognise and Respond. Recognise and Respond is an online course that can help you to identify and respond to if people around you are struggling with suicidality.

Workplace Inclusion

Pride in Diversity is Australia’s first and only not-for-profit workplace program designed specifically to assist Australian employers with the inclusion of LGBTQ employees.

As a member-based program, Pride in Diversity works closely with HR, diversity professionals and LGBTQ Network Leaders in all aspects of LGBTQ inclusion within all sectors of the Australian workforce.

No matter your starting point, we work with your team to understand the importance of LGBTQ inclusion and to map out a strategy that will enable you to successfully work towards best practice.

Australian Workplace Equality Index

The Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) is the definitive national benchmark on LGBTQ workplace inclusion and comprises the largest and only national employee survey designed to gauge the overall impact of inclusion initiatives on organisational culture as well as identifying and non-identifying employees.

The Index drives best practice in Australia and sets a comparative benchmark for Australian employers across all sectors.

The AWEI is a free offering and organisations do not need to be a member of Pride in Diversity to participate.

For more information click here to visit the Pride in Diversity website, or email:info@prideindiversity.com.au.

Pride In Practice Conference

Pride In Practice is the only national conference dedicated to LGBTQ workplace inclusion. Run over three days, it incorporates various streams of LGBTQ workplace awareness and inclusivity.

Hear from industry experts on best practice and gain insight into the award winning initiatives of the Top 20 Employers and network with industry peers.

For more information click here to visit the Pride in Diversity website, or email:info@prideindiversity.com.au.

More info:

Tel: (02) 9206 2136
Fax: (02) 9206 2002
Email: pid@prideindiversity.com.au
Web: www.prideindiversity.com.au

Health and Wellbeing Service Inclusion

Pride in Health + Wellbeing is a national membership program that provides year-round support in the provision of LGBTQ inclusive services for those working within the health and wellbeing sector. Consider us your partners, your subject-matter experts that you can call on, build a relationship with and rely on for expert advice, training and help.

Can We

Can we reduce our risk of cancer? Yes, and Can We is here to help.

Research has revealed that lifestyle factors such as higher rates of drinking and smoking, plus lower cancer screening rates, are putting LGBTQ communities at a greater risk of cancer than the general population. But together, we can do something about this. Can We is a platform by ACON, to help each other stay healthy and reduce our risk of cancer. We’re here to help our communities look after ourselves and out for each other, so we can live well with fewer worries.

Visit canwe.org.au

Check OUT: LGBTIQ+ Sexual Health Clinic

We are sorry to announce that due to COVID-19, Check OUT: LGBTIQ+ Clinic will be closed until further notice.

Please do not be concerned, this closure is only temporary, and we look forward to reopening again soon.

We will contact all our clients as soon as we reopen.

If your appointment with Check OUT was urgent, or you have any concerns, please contact our clinical partner, Family Planning NSW.

Family Planning NSW Talkline (staffed by expert sexual health nurses):

1300 658 886 

Monday to Friday, 8:30am-5pm;

or email talkline@fpnsw.org.au

You can also contact the NSW Sexual Health InfoLink, which is run by NSW Health and is staffed by sexual health nurses. You can call them with any questions or concerns about sexual health and/or cervical screening and they can direct you to services for testing in your area:

1800 451 624

Monday to Friday, 9.00am-5.30pm

If you are concerned about COVID-19 or have questions, please visit the NSW Health website or contact Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Please take care of yourselves and each other and don’t hesitate to contact us at checkout@acon.org.au

Thank you all,

Check OUT Staff

Cervical Cancer Screening

Everybody with a cervix is at risk of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet studies show that LGBTIQ people are less likely than the general population to attend cervical screening. Having regular Cervical Screening Tests is the best way people in our communities can protect themselves against cervical cancer.

Visit canwe.org.au/staying-healthy/cervical-screening/

If you live in Sydney, you can book in at Check OUT: LGBTIQ+ Sexual Health Clinic for a sexual health check and/or a cervical screening test. Check OUT is a community-led clinic, run by ACON and Family Planning NSW. All our frontline staff are trained members of the LGBTIQ+ community. Learn more about Check OUT at canwe.org.au/referral-options/  

Cancer

We’re here to help trans and gender diverse people take steps to prevent their risk of cancer and find support after diagnosis and treatment.

To find out more please visit the ‘Cancer’ section on our website or visit ACON’s Can We website.

Trans and Gender Diverse Legal Service

The Inner City Legal Centre’s Trans & Gender Diverse Legal Service is a dedicated service to provide trans or gender diverse clients free legal advice and support for a range of legal issues.

The services provided include advice on:

• Fines
• Employment
• Discrimination
• Special Medical Procedure applications to the Family Court of Australia
• Assistance in regard to drafting wills, power of attorney, enduring guardianship
• Divorce, separation and parenting
• Name and gender change advice/services
• Criminal and AVO advice and representation for especially vulnerable trans or gender diverse clients on a low income.

We encourage you to contact the Inner City Legal Centre via their website or on (02) 9332 1966 if you are trans or gender diverse, and seeking legal help.

Free Safe Sex Packs

NEED SAFE SEX SUPPLIES?

If you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community and you need safe sex supplies, we can post them to you anywhere in NSW (free!). Simply complete the form below and we will get your play pack(s) delivered in no time!

Our play packs include:

• 10 gloves
• 10 condoms
• 74 ml Astroglide Natural toy friendly lube
• 110ml Viraclean bottle (for cleaning toys and surfaces), and
• A sex toy maintenance brochure.

If you need supplies for a party or venue please let us know.

Any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact: kink@acon.org.au