Audience: clinicians, educators, workers, peer workers

This interactive and thought provoking workshop will explore the links between engagement and learning linked to development and brain science. It will challenge the heteronormative and binary lens we offer to gender and will break down the binary models that cause pain and harm.

The workshop will explore innovative ways to create safe enough spaces for educators and workers to take real action on inclusion for trans and gender diverse young people. This workshop has been created alongside trans and gender diverse young people, with a focus on those living in regional and rural areas.

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.