Audience: parents, family members, carers, community members

This workshop offers a lived experience lens of being a parent of a trans young person. The workshop reflects on the past, current and future narratives defining the lives of our trans and gender diverse young people. It uses storytelling to offer the reality, the challenges and the support needed to save the lives of our children. The workshop reflects on allyship and peer support and how we all need to be part of affirmative support, no matter who we are and what we believe, it’s important.

Facilitated by Merrin Wake

Dr Merrin Wake (she/her) holds an honorary doctorate from Deakin University for her work in inclusive healthcare and public advocacy. She works as a health and education consultant, this includes clinical and therapeutic work as a LGBTIQA+ child and family practitioner as well as a trauma informed and diversity and inclusion educator for government, corporate, schools, health services and not-for-profit sector. Her work has led her to focus on community engagement and ensuring the needs of the communities she works with are listened to and heard. Merrin has a passion for working alongside families and carers of young people with a whole of family approach to support our kids to be all they can be. Merrin is a survivor of child sexual abuse and the proud parent of a transgender young person. Merrin uses her own lived experience alongside her clinical knowledge to break down stigma and advocate for the stories of individuals and families. Merrin believes that change happens when people are met where they are. She uses storytelling and practice knowledge to help change attitudes and systems which she believes is achievable when we first acknowledge pain and harm and when we honour our stories, our lives and our own strengths.

Winter Blooming has been Produced in collaboration with the University of New England, Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council, and ACON and has been supported by Create NSW and Aurora.