Q&A & Panel Discussion: Gender Affirmation

This event is for transgender, non-binary, gender questioning and gender-diverse people.

About the session: 

Join TGV’s Q&A Sessions at Affirmation Station, where experts answer your burning questions. 

This session dives into the social and medical aspects of gender affirmation. Get insights from those with lived and professional experience, including advocates, psychologists, sexual health professionals, sex educators and a youth advocate. Wherever you are on your gender journey, all questions are welcome!

• Register to submit questions ahead of time; there may also be a chance to ask questions during the session.
• If you have any questions about the session, email groupcoordinator@tgv.org.au.
• To keep our community safe, this is a mask mandatory event (more information below).

Topics that will be covered during the Q&A: 

• Understanding/ questioning your gender
• Finding community
• Social affirmation
• Gender-affirming care
• Advocating for yourself at the GP & with therapists 
• Coming out

Location: 

This event will be held at the new Affirmation Station in Brunswick, exact location to be announced closer to the event.

Panel bios: 

Juniper Muller (she/they) is a queer, nonbinary psychologist specialising in gender, sex, and sexuality. A passionate client activist and advocate, Juniper practices from an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, intersectional feminist framework. She works therapeutically with LGBTQIA+ people, and regularly teaches and contributes to research in LGBTQIA+ health. They also host the newly launched "Trans Sexual Podcast".

Charlie (they/them) is a genderfluid nonbinary psychologist, advocate, and sex educator. They currently provide individual therapy to clients four days a week in their private practice, Charlie Dean Psychology, and at the Sexual Health and Intimacy Psychology Service (SHIPS). Charlie assists clients facing a diverse range of life circumstances, including explorations of queerness and sexuality, challenges in relationships, and mental health issues such as trauma, depression, and anxiety. Charlie earned a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences with Honours (BPsychSci(Hons)) from Deakin University and a Master of Applied Psychology (Community) (MAppPsych(Comm)) from Victoria University, where their master's thesis focused on the intersection of queer belonging within the polyamorous community.

Teddy Transcendent (they/them) is a queer, neurodivergent, Djaara based interdisciplinary artist, facilitator, designer, producer and advocate for trans and gender diverse young people and those who care for and work with them. They are a trans, non-binary person driven to be a visible representation of life beyond the binary and make change and impacts in rooms where decisions are made and advocate for safe, inclusive environments across the community.

Teddy has built a career helping others find their connection with their identity and self through playfulness and creativity. Since 2021 Teddy has been working in Youth Community Development with a focus on TGD and LGBTIQA+ inclusion and advocacy in Bendigo. In 2024 Teddy joined the Zoe Belle Gender Collective as their Youth Project Manager and is excited to create lasting and impactful change for trans and gender diverse young people.

Darren (he/him) is a cis-gendered sexual health physician who has worked with the trans community for 34 years. He has prescribed gender affirming hormone therapy all that time and has always used the informed consent model, even before there was a name for it! He returned from Cairns to live in Geelong last November and currently works at Kardinia Health in Geelong, and also does telehealth for trans folk around the country.

Refundable deposit: There is a $15 refundable deposit for this session, and as long as you either attend the session or cancel more than 2 days in advance, you will be refunded this cost. If you do not cancel with at least two day's notice, or you do not show up, you will be charged the $15. If you are committed to coming to the session but the $15 fee poses a financial barrier, please contact us at groupcoordinator@tgv.org.au.

Covid safety: Mask Mandatory
We acknowledge that COVID-19 has an ongoing impact on all members of our communities, especially our immunocompromised and disabled communities.

Below are the strategies we are implementing at this event to increase our COVID-19 safety and build a culture of community care:

• Free N95 and K94 masks are available, and wearing them is mandatory. Let’s keep each other safe!
• Some people are unable to wear a mask for other disability reasons, if this is you, please just let us know.
• Doors and windows will be opened when suitable (bring warm clothes as it can get a little chilly).
• Hand sanitiser
• Air Purification

What can you do to increase COVID-19 safety at our events?

• Complete a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test before attending any of our events.
• Feel like you are coming down with a cold or flu? Please stay home and cancel your booking by emailing us.
• Bring your favourite mask to wear! (If wearing a mask is accessible for you).