“Free To Be Me at School” - An Introduction to Gender Affirming Care for Young People in Secondary Schools

For Clinicians in the Doctors in Secondary Schools Program

Join Dr Michelle Dutton and Dr Bianca Forrester for a practical and engaging webinar exploring gender-affirming care for trans and gender diverse young people. Learn key principles of gender-affirming practice, effective strategies for supporting young people with gender affirmation needs, and gain clarity on referral pathways and systems of care for accessing hormonal affirmation in Victoria.

New to this area? You may like to check out this introductory module on trans, gender diverse and non-binary young people, their health and wellbeing. Designed by A/Prof Ruth McNair and presented by Jazz Jennings, this short, self-training module contains valuable information based on the latest Australian research as well as video vignettes, clinical interviews and quizzes.

Details:

Date:             Thursday 4 September, 2025
Time:             7:00pm - 8:00pm AEST
Presenters:    Dr Michelle Dutton, Chair of the RACGP Specific Interests Transgender and Gender-Diverse Healthcare and GP working with Orygen Youth Health, Headspace and Northside Clinic
Facilitator:     Dr Bianca Forrester, GP and Adolescent Health Specialist, The University of Melbourne 
Coordinator: Sam Parkin, DiSS Program Coordinator

Learning Outcomes:

✔ Reflect upon the principles of gender affirming practice when working with trans and gender diverse young people  
✔ Describe common strategies for supporting a young person presenting with gender affirmation needs 
✔ Describe the referral pathways and systems of care for young people wishing to access hormonal affirmation in Victoria    
✔ Identify opportunities for further learning in gender affirming care 
✔ Participate in an interactive online community of practice with peer learning 

Guest Speaker:

Dr Michelle Dutton

Michelle is a Melbourne-based GP with extensive experience in gender affirming care for young people and youth mental health care. She was the inaugural Chair of the RACGP Specific Interests Group in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Healthcare, where she led national efforts to support GPs through education, networking and evidence-based resources for delivering inclusive, affirming care.

Facilitator:

Dr Bianca Forrester

Bianca is a GP specialising in Youth Health and Implementation Science. She is a senior lecturer at the Department of General Practice and Primary Care, supporting the DiSS training program design and delivery. She holds several policy advisory roles in Youth Health, Women’s health, and Mental Health Reform. Bianca is currently undertaking an Industry PhD exploring the implementation of a learning health system model with WVPHN.