Transgender Day of Visibility (also known as Trans Day of Visibility or TDOV) occurs annually on 31 March. It celebrates trans and gender diverse people and their contribution to our communities, while also raising awareness for the unique challenges they face.
The Victorian TAFE Association (VTA) and Victorian TAFE Network are proud to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility, demonstrating our steadfast commitment to fostering safe and inclusive environments for all TAFE employees and students.
On Monday 31 March, in celebration of Trans Day of Visibility, the Victorian TAFE Association (VTA) hosted an online panel event titled, ‘You Can’t Ask That: Trans Day of Visibility with Victorian TAFE.’
The event was attended by over 300 employees from across the Victorian TAFE Network. They were invited to submit their questions ahead of the event which were then answered by our sensational panel of strong trans and non-binary advocates including:
- Elisabeth Lane (she/her): Senior Relationship Manager, Pride in Diversity.
- Pauline Hutchins (she/her): Automotive Educator, Bendigo Kangan Institute.
- Maddy Weeks (they/them): Comedian, Producer and Media Practitioner & Former VET student.
- Dale Park (he/they): Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Bendigo Kangan Institute.
Guided confidently by our panelists and expertly facilitated by our MC, Dale, attendees learned more about some of the challenges faced by those in the trans and gender diverse community. They were also empowered to uplift and support their LGBTQIA+ colleagues and students through actionable strategies, fostering a strong culture of allyship*.
*Allyship is defined as support and advocacy of a person or group of people that faces marginalization. Strong allies educate themselves, listen to others, and take action to uplift the voices of those around them and create safe, inclusive environments that all people can participate in.
Key take-aways
Pronouns are important
Attendees learnt the importance of using a person’s correct pronouns through real life examples shared by our panelists. They also gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the impact this simple action can have on affirming trans and non-binary peoples’ identities helping them to feel safe, included and respected.
Elisabeth: “We all have pronouns, and everyone uses them all the time. If you [are referring to] a transgender person, use the correct pronouns. You’re showing that you respect their gender identity, you respect them. You have no idea how powerful that is…It’s the simplest way to show support for a member of the community.”
Maddy: “It’s all about safety, trust, and community connection.”
Pauline: “…being gendered correctly triggers the euphoric feeling of being noticed for who I am.”
If you’re not sure what someone’s pronouns are, just ask!
In the lead up to the event, many attendees had shared their nervousness of asking for someone’s pronouns. Elisabeth empowered them with a simple, 3-step process:
- Don’t make assumptions.
- Introduce yourself and your preferred pronouns: “Hi, I’m Elisabeth. I use she/her pronouns.”
- Ask the other person: “Would you like to share how you care to be addressed?”
Strong leadership and allyship on day one is the key to supporting trans and non-binary students in the classroom
The panel’s MC, Dale, encouraged all TAFE employees to lead the way in normalizing conversations around pronouns and in turn, creating environments that LGBTQIA+ employees and students feel comfortable and accepted in:
Dale: “I really encourage all our teachers when they are first introducing themselves to the class to tell their students what their pronouns are and say why they are using them. Even if your pronouns may seem obvious, it sends the message that you know what pronouns are and you know why they are important.”
Maddy affirmed the impact this had on them as a former VET student and spoke to the importance of setting expectations from day one:
Maddy: “It was important having someone in a position of power immediately set the ground rules on the first day. Zero tolerance for harassment, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, racism, etc.”
Strong allies advocate for trans and non-binary people, even when they’re not in the room
Attendees gained a deeper understanding of allyship, and how TAFE staff can demonstrate a commitment to allyship by calling out discriminatory behavior and advocating for trans and non-binary people, even when they’re not in the room and even outside of days of LGBTQIA+ significance.
Pauline: “People can be better trans allies by using our pronouns, even when we’re not in the room. Educating themselves and challenging discrimination.”
Maddy: “I think everyone could be a better trans ally by standing up for us every day, not just on days like today or days like IDAHOBIT and standing up for us when we’re not there as well.”
Impact
The event was a resounding success with attendees rating it on average 4.6/5. They celebrated the panel for their informative, approachable and succinct approach and expressed the value of hearing the panelists lived experiences as trans and gender diverse people:
Attendees from regional and remote areas who have historically had limited access to accurate and reliable information about trans and gender diverse people also spoke to the impact of the event in broadening their understanding:
This event is one of many on the horizon, forming part of a wider training program that employees across the Victorian TAFE Network will be participating in throughout the year. Working in partnership with Pride in Diversity, the VTA looks forward to our next event, where we will continue to champion inclusivity and celebrate our LGBTQIA+ colleagues, students, and community members.
Helpful resources
The VTA encourages our members and others within our network to learn more about the experiences of trans and gender diverse people. Together we can foster safe, supportive environments that allow all people to thrive in their workplace, place of study, and wider community.
TAFE Staff
The recording of this training session will be made available through your TAFE’s Learning and Development team. Please contact them for more information.
TAFE Students
For more information on how TAFE can support you, please contact your TAFE’s Student Support Services.
For all
For more information on trans and gender diverse people, please view these resources provided by Pride in Diversity:
Support is available
If anything in this training session or article has raised issues for you, we encourage you to seek support through the appropriate avenue below:
TAFE Staff
Please contact your TAFE’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
TAFE Students
Please contact your TAFE’s Student Support Services.
For all
QLife: QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
- Free Australia wide LGBTIQ+ service
- 3PM – 12AM, 7 days per week
- Phone: 1800 184 527💻
- Webchat online: https://qlife.org.au/resources/chat
Rainbow Door: Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline run by Switchboard – providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family.
- Free Victorian LGBTIQA+ Service
- 10AM – 5PM, 7 days per week (closed some public holidays)
- Phone: 1800 729 367
- SMS: 0480 017 246
- Email: support@rainbowdoor.org.au
- Website: https://www.rainbowdoor.org.au/
