Trans people do and have lived on almost every continent, including this one. Australia is home to some of the longest living trans cultures on earth, and Sistergirls and Brotherboys show up in every Aboriginal nation in this country.

Trans and gender diverse people have always been part of our communities, but for much of NSW’s history, their experiences were ignored, pathologised or criminalised. From systemic exclusion in healthcare to legal barriers around identity and recognition, trans people have had to fight for the most basic of rights, often in the face of misunderstanding, prejudice and violence. 

In the 1970s and ’80s, trans people in NSW had no access to legal gender recognition without undergoing invasive surgeries. Healthcare was limited, and many faced discrimination not only in the broader community, but within LGBTQ spaces too. Trans women, especially those of colour and/or engaged in sex work, were heavily policed and targeted by law enforcement, while trans men were virtually invisible in public discourse. 

Amid this environment, trans advocates and community groups pushed for change, often at great personal cost. Despite the restrictions, trans and gender diverse people still found ways to support each other and to navigate the system and to affirm their genders in different ways. Over the decades, they laid the groundwork for legal, medical and social reform.

ACON has long worked in partnership with trans community members and organisations to support health equity, inclusion and visibility. A major turning point came in 2019 with the release of ACON’s Blueprint for Improving the Health & Wellbeing of the Trans & Gender Diverse Community in NSW. Developed through extensive community consultation, the Blueprint outlined urgent priorities across healthcare access, mental health, housing, safety, and legal rights. It remains a foundational document for government, services and advocates, guiding systemic change with a clear focus on community leadership and self-determination. 

In 2020, ACON launched TransHub, a groundbreaking online platform co-designed by trans people for trans people. TransHub provides accessible, affirming and comprehensive information on gender-affirming care, legal processes, mental health, navigating social transition and more. It also supports families, allies and health professionals to better understand and care for trans people. Widely recognised as a national model for inclusive health education, TransHub has transformed how people access and share information about trans lives in Australia. 

TransHub is only one part of ACON’s strategy to support trans people. In recent years, the organisation has delivered resilience-building workshops, developed the Trans Vitality toolkit, and created a trans-affirming practice eLearning module through Pride Training. ACON’s Trans Health Equity team also works across the organisation to strengthen trans-affirming practice, develop resources, consult with community, advise government and service providers, and support trans people to lead workshops, host events and advocate for themselves.

Many trans people in NSW continue to face significant challenges, including delays in accessing gender-affirming care, discrimination in employment and housing, and heightened vulnerability to violence and mental distress. However, progress is being made. This year, the passage of the Equality Act marked a major step forward, allowing trans adults to update the gender marker on their birth certificates without undergoing unwanted medical procedures.

Sadly, misinformation and hysteria continue to fuel harmful public debates not only in Australia but globally. Despite this, trans communities continue to lead with vision, courage, and resilience and in NSW, the movement for trans rights is not only enduring but growing, driven by trans people who are building a future grounded in justice and dignity.

ACON is proud to walk alongside this movement, advocating for reform, while also investing in the strength and connection of trans communities through funding peer-led support and ensuring visibility. True liberation demands systemic change, but it also depends on empowered trans people who are safe, seen, connected and celebrated.

As we reflect on 40 years of ACON’s history, we honour the trans trailblazers whose advocacy and resistance made progress possible, and recommit to a future shaped by affirmation, justice and care. 

To find out more, visit transhub.org.au