To support ACON's Pride Inclusion Programs Members during the upcoming Trans Awareness Week (13-19 Nov) we are pleased to present a panel discussion that connects to a positive space. The panel will feature individuals who have a transgender lived experience discussing their real-world role models, and motivators.

Sharing the inspiring individuals found through journeys of gender affirmation, gender euphoria and navigating both surviving and thriving the panel will explore:

some of our panellist's Trans and Gender Diverse role models,
the benefit of having role models,
the power of connection and representation
and, the positivity that can be found in community.

The Panel will be hosted by : Tidge Backhouse (They/Them) - Relationship Manager, Health - Pride in Diversity – who is a gender diverse member of community themselves and is looking forward to facilitating this conversation .

They will be joined by:

Tam Halls (They/Them) ACON

Tam Halls provides Member Support Services for ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs, and also delivers regular online training to member organisations. Outside of work they enjoy baking cakes for loved ones, spend entirely too much time watching trashy TV and reading fiction novels, and keep failing their self-imposed embargos against buying more ridiculous earrings. As a queer, fat, disabled, non-binary femme person, Tam is passionate about representing their intersecting communities and having conversations about meaningful diversity and inclusion.

Bek Aspinall (They/Them) Edith Cowan University

Bek Aspinall is a Senior Capability and Development Consultant in People and Culture at ECU. A founding member of the Pride at ECU committee, and the LGBTIQA+ staff network, Bek has worked in the Diversity and Inclusion space since joining the University. A passionate facilitator, they enjoy creating and holding safe spaces for learning and reflection with staff. Outside of work most of their time is taken up with parenting a teenager and keeping two dogs, four chickens and two new(ish) rescue kittens entertained and happy – or building Lego!

Stevie Lane (they/them) – Edith Cowan University / Rainbow Futures WA

Stevie Lane is an equity practitioner at Edith Cowan University, where they have led the development of institution wide LGBTIQA+ inclusive practice at ECU since 2020, including delivering LGBTIQA+ staff Ally training, driving gender affirming practice and processes, facilitating participation in the Australian Workplace Equality Index, cross-institutional collaboration through HEAPPs WA and more. Outside of ECU, they have worked in the mental health and community services sector for many years including on the Board of TransFolk of WA and on the National Trans and Gender Diverse Advisory Committee with LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, and are involved in advocacy for legislative change as a Steering Group member with Rainbow Futures, in particular, for gender recognition and birth certificate reform in WA. They are passionate about using their lived experience and expertise as a queer, trans, non-binary, fat, neurodivergent/disabled person, to educate and drive change in the tertiary sector and beyond. Outside of work and advocacy they enjoy a good puzzle, weekend trips to Bunnings and cuddles with their son Yuki (toy poodle).

Kade Fenwick (they/he) - University of Sydney

Kade is an LGBTQIA+SB community advocate, public health student, writer and Diversity and Inclusion Consultant at the University of Sydney.

In 2017, Kade graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Arts (English and Writing/Aboriginal Studies) (Honours).

Kade’s poems and essays have been published in the Contemporary Australian Feminist Poetry Anthology, Butch Is Not a Dirty Word, Archer and Cordite Poetry Review.