Geraldton takes part in National Day of Action to Protect Trans Youth

Geraldton residents have gathered on the foreshore to raise awareness of transgender rights, with some fearing a change in government could mean rights are taken away.

About 30 people, including Geraldton’s LGBTIQA+ group OUTMidWest gathered at Stow Gardens to commemorate the National Day of Action to Protect Trans Youth.

The event in the Mid West ran alongside rallies across the country, calling for gender-affirming care to be reinstated in Queensland after the State’s Government banned hormone therapy.

Event organiser Brooke Taylor said the group aimed to stand in solidarity with those in Queensland.

“It was a really good opportunity for the community to come together and show that there is a community here and it’s strong, and they’re willing to stand up for each other,” she said.

Ms Taylor said it was important to take action to ensure people were able to maintain their rights.

“We have a lot of really terrified families and young people who’ve watched this happen in Queensland and now fear the same thing could happen to them here,” she said.

“It’s really important to stand up and call it out when the medical care decisions are being made by politicians instead of medical professionals and the young people and their families.”

Ms Taylor said the event was a success, with dozens taking part in Geraldton.

Signs reading “trans rights are human rights”, “gender affirming medicine saves lives”, and “trans kids are not your political football” were on display.

The event comes days before Geraldton becomes the setting of Invisible Boys, an LGBTQIA+ drama on Stan, an adaptation of the book by local author Holden Sheppard.