Recognising the experiences and achievements of the transgender and gender diverse community was at the heart of celebrations marking Trans Day of Visibility at Ballarat Town Hall on Friday.
Celebrated annually on March 31, Trans Day of Visibility is an international event designed to foster trans pride and awareness by sharing stories and starting conversations.
The City of Ballarat marked the occasion with a flag-raising ceremony followed by an afternoon tea with members of the Ballarat LGBTIQA+ community in attendance.
Trans community member Markus Middling spoke at the event, advocating for awareness of the struggles faced by the transgender community and calling for the broader community to celebrate the diversity and beauty of trans lives.
At the event, many community members wore high-vis vests with ‘Rainbow Solidarity’ printed on the back to help trans and gender diverse community members feel safe and supported. Additionally, the City of Ballarat installed stickers and signage around council venues indicating that those spaces are safe for trans and gender diverse community members.
In line with the City of Ballarat LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Plan 2022-2026, City of Ballarat staff will participate in inclusivity training in the coming months.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the City of Ballarat stands in solidarity with the trans and gender diverse community.
“The City of Ballarat fully supports our trans and gender diverse community members,” he said.
“We recognise how important it is to support and include trans and gender diverse people fully in community life in Ballarat, and we are committed to ensuring they feel visible, supported and connected to our community.”
To learn more about the City of Ballarat’s commitment to LGBTIQA+ community, see the .
