13 trans people from the community discuss their experience of being transgender in WA.
“Each day I have a renewed understanding of my gender and it kind of builds upon itself over time.” On today’s episode Hannah (they/them) and Allie (she/they) from the YPN sat down with twelve different people that identify as trans including Samson Spee (he/him), Andy Lowes (he/him), Lena Van Hale (she/her) and 7 young people that attend the Transfolk of WA’s weekly youth space for a yarn to hear their stories, their advice, and their hopes for the future for generations of trans people. For more info on our guests: youthpridenetwork.net/queerandpodcast Got a story or an idea for an episode? Hit us up at ypn@yacwa.org.au This podcast was recorded on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar and we wish to acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as traditional custodians of this land, its waters, and its communities. We acknowledge and pay respect to Elders past, present, and future as sovereign leaders, sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.
Lena
Lena Van Hale (She/They) is a non-binary, transgender woman. Currently a board member of Living Proud in WA, and with a background in peer education and support, Lena is a staunch activist and advocate for transgender healthcare, body autonomy, human rights and workers rights. In all of her work she is committed to the axiom of “nothing about us without us”, striving to redefine the inclusion of trans peers beyond the “lived experience” frame, and toward the lens of “living expertise”.
Samson
Samson is a proud Yamatji Wajarri trans man living in Boorloo working FIFO in the Pilbara as a heavy machinery operator. He’s been in the field for 8 years since completing an indigenous traineeship and prides himself of representing people like him in the mining workforce. A fierce advocate for the queer community since his youth, Samson is passionate about diversity, inclusion, and providing First Nations Australians with more opportunities to thrive in all aspects of life. He fights for equal freedom and justice for all. In Samson’s spare time he likes collecting and working on cars and spending time at queer events that feature live performances, art, and building community. Samson radiates positivity and strength and is a staunch role model for the trans community. He also froths a good ghost story.
Allie
Allie Messenger (She/They) is a fervent advocate for the LGBTQIA+ Community, disability rights and creating open forums for honest and judgement-free discussion. She has done volunteer work for Australian Youth Affairs Commission, Fremantle Youth Network, Youth Pride Network and many more. Winning Australian Youth of the Year 2022 for Fremantle, Allie is hard-working and passionate about what she does. Identifying as transgender and genderfluid, Allie hopes to use her own experiences to help advance the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Transfolk YouthSpace is run by Transfolk of WA and is a weekly drop in space for trans, non-binary, gender diverse, brotherboys, sistergirls, and questioning people aged 14-20. It is a chance to meet other people on a similar journey, ask questions, find support, or just chat and play games. Transfolk of WA is a peer support service for transgender people and their loved ones in Western Australia that aims to inform, empower, and advocate for trans and gender diverse people to survive and thrive. They run workshops, online services, support groups, develop resources, and curate events for the community and their allies in WA.
Checkout transfolkofwa.org for more info and resources.