TransHub

To mark Trans Day of Visibility on Tuesday 31 March 2020, ACON launched TransHub – a digital information and resource platform for all trans people, and their loved ones, allies and health providers. 

TransHub was created by trans people for trans people, based on the state-wide consultations that allowed ACON to develop our Blueprint. TransHub offers the information that many of us so desperately needed, but didn’t have access to as we grew up or grew toward our most authentic selves. 

The site contains information about social, medical and legal gender affirmation, looking after our health as trans people, information for allies like partners, friends, employers, parents, and colleagues, and a whole section for clinicians who work with trans people.  

The site also includes a comprehensive language guide, and a portal to access the resources available throughout the website. TransHub also offers information specific to COVID-19 for trans people. ACON’s Gender Affirming Doctor list can be found on TransHub.

You can access TransHub here.

Trans Vitality

Trans Vitality is ACON’s resilience-building program for all trans adults in NSW – binary and non-binary. Trans Vitality focusses on trans people supporting trans people, and centres self-determination, autonomy and agency, while uplifting trans voices.   

A Resilience Toolkit is one part of Trans Vitality and it includes information, activities and resources to help build resilience, community connection, an understanding of our history, and a powerful imagining of our futures.  

Trans Vitality also includes virtual peer workshops and online community training, an eLearning on trans-affirming practice, this Toolkit and a full evaluation, gratefully funded by NSW Health.   

While we know that trans liberation depends on the structural reforms needed to enable trans people to live free and equal in every community we are part of, the path to trans liberation also needs strong, connected and resilient trans people.  

You can visit the Toolkit here.
 

Yarn It Up

Yarn it Up is a virtual Yarning Circle series for Sistergirls, Brotherboys and trans mob. 

The yarns focus on strengthening and supporting the health, wellbeing and voices of Sistergirls, Brotherboys and trans mob across Australia, building the profile of Sistergirl and Brotherboy community groups, and offering an opportunity for the community to connect and come together.  

We’ve worked hard to help build community kinship, cultural and spiritual connections through storytelling and activities. Yarn It Up has had two series of yarns, with support from Aurora. 

ACON’s Gender Affirming Doctor List

ACON’s Gender Affirming Doctor List has now moved over to TransHub. You can find the new and updated map, and list here.

Blueprint for Improving the Health and Wellbeing of the Trans and Gender Diverse Community in NSW

In 2019 ACON launched the Blueprint for Improving the Health and Wellbeing of the Trans and Gender Diverse Community in NSW.

The Blueprint for Improving the Health and Wellbeing of the Trans and Gender Diverse Community in NSW (the Blueprint) outlines the key approaches required to improve the health outcomes of trans and gender diverse (TGD) people in NSW and to strengthen the inclusion of TGD people within ACON’s programs and services.

The Blueprint was developed with the support of ACON’s TGD Community Health Advisory Group, which comprised members of the TGD community, clinicians and community organisations.

The development of the Blueprint was informed by a comprehensive review of national and international literature, and an extensive consultation process. This consultation process included a community survey of over 450 people, six community meetings across NSW (Sydney, Newcastle, Lismore, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga and Liverpool) and key stakeholder interviews with TGD community leaders, GPs, endocrinologists, sexual health physicians, NSW Health officials, and human rights lawyers.

Anyone can access and use this Blueprint to support their local, state-wide and even national advocacy efforts that seek to progress and improve the rights, health and lives of TGD communities. ACON is proud to support this work and to continue raising the visibility of TGD community priorities and needs

Download:

• The Blueprint for Improving the Health and Wellbeing of the Trans and Gender Diverse Community in NSW
• TEXT ONLY VERSION of the Blueprint
• Abridged Blueprint
• Discussion paper, Potential Priority Areas for ACON’s Trans and Gender Diverse Community Health Strategy
• Consultation Report ACON’s Trans and Gender Diverse Community Health Strategy

Effective and Meaningful Inclusion of Trans and Gender Diverse People in HIV Prevention Discussion Paper

• Effective and Meaningful Inclusion of Trans and Gender Diverse People in HIV Prevention (2017)

To find out more our work in Policy and Research, please visit the ‘Policy & Research’ section of our website or contact our Sydney office: advocacy@acon.org.au

Trans and Strong Resource

Trans Sport Inclusion

Here & Now

Here & Now is a set of resources for trans people who have experienced sexual assault.

Sexual assault affects the lives of many trans people, and it can be a difficult thing to talk about or seek help for. Here & Now can help with some of the practical information, and point you in the direction of help and support.

Find out more here.

Pride Training

In collaboration with Pride Training, Trans Health Equity have developed the Trans Vitality: Trans Affirming Practice eLearning. These modules are an easy way to increase your knowledge, skills and confidence when working with trans people of all genders. 

Trans Vitality: Trans Affirming Practice is a four-module e-learning for all clinicians in NSW. Trans Vitality will help you be a stronger ally and feel more confident in delivering affirming and inclusive practice at work, in services, and through programs.  

Trans Vitality: Trans Affirming practice includes community case studies designed to build your empathy and understanding as you compare them to your own lived experiences of gender, sexuality, and bias. 

ASHM Trans Affirming Sexual Health eLearning

Trans Health Equity and ASHM have worked together to develop the Trans and Gender Diverse Healthcare e-learning. This eLearning has been co-designed and developed for clinicians working in a sexual health clinical setting or delivering sexual healthcare in primary healthcare settings. 

It consists of five modules: 

• Trans and gender diverse community 
• Sex and sexual health 
• Trans people and reproductive health 
• An introduction to gender affirming healthcare 
• Creating safe and inclusive environments 

You can register to do this eLearning here.

‘Recognise and Respond’ by the Black Dog Institute

As part of Trans Vitality, we have worked with the Black Dog Institute to develop a trans affirming case study for Recognise and Respond. Recognise and Respond is an online course that can help you to identify and respond to if people around you are struggling with suicidality.

Workplace Inclusion

Pride in Diversity is Australia’s first and only not-for-profit workplace program designed specifically to assist Australian employers with the inclusion of LGBTQ employees.

As a member-based program, Pride in Diversity works closely with HR, diversity professionals and LGBTQ Network Leaders in all aspects of LGBTQ inclusion within all sectors of the Australian workforce.

No matter your starting point, we work with your team to understand the importance of LGBTQ inclusion and to map out a strategy that will enable you to successfully work towards best practice.

Australian Workplace Equality Index

The Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) is the definitive national benchmark on LGBTQ workplace inclusion and comprises the largest and only national employee survey designed to gauge the overall impact of inclusion initiatives on organisational culture as well as identifying and non-identifying employees.

The Index drives best practice in Australia and sets a comparative benchmark for Australian employers across all sectors.

The AWEI is a free offering and organisations do not need to be a member of Pride in Diversity to participate.

For more information click here to visit the Pride in Diversity website, or email:info@prideindiversity.com.au.

Pride In Practice Conference

Pride In Practice is the only national conference dedicated to LGBTQ workplace inclusion. Run over three days, it incorporates various streams of LGBTQ workplace awareness and inclusivity.

Hear from industry experts on best practice and gain insight into the award winning initiatives of the Top 20 Employers and network with industry peers.

For more information click here to visit the Pride in Diversity website, or email:info@prideindiversity.com.au.

More info:

Tel: (02) 9206 2136
Fax: (02) 9206 2002
Email: pid@prideindiversity.com.au
Web: www.prideindiversity.com.au

Health and Wellbeing Service Inclusion

Pride in Health + Wellbeing is a national membership program that provides year-round support in the provision of LGBTQ inclusive services for those working within the health and wellbeing sector. Consider us your partners, your subject-matter experts that you can call on, build a relationship with and rely on for expert advice, training and help.

Can We

Can we reduce our risk of cancer? Yes, and Can We is here to help.

Research has revealed that lifestyle factors such as higher rates of drinking and smoking, plus lower cancer screening rates, are putting LGBTQ communities at a greater risk of cancer than the general population. But together, we can do something about this. Can We is a platform by ACON, to help each other stay healthy and reduce our risk of cancer. We’re here to help our communities look after ourselves and out for each other, so we can live well with fewer worries.

Visit canwe.org.au

Check OUT: LGBTQ+ Sexual Health Clinic

We are sorry to announce that due to COVID-19, Check OUT: LGBTQ+ Clinic will be closed until further notice.

Please do not be concerned, this closure is only temporary, and we look forward to reopening again soon.

We will contact all our clients as soon as we reopen.

If your appointment with Check OUT was urgent, or you have any concerns, please contact our clinical partner, Family Planning NSW.

Family Planning NSW Talkline (staffed by expert sexual health nurses):

1300 658 886 

Monday to Friday, 8:30am-5pm;

or email talkline@fpnsw.org.au

You can also contact the NSW Sexual Health InfoLink, which is run by NSW Health and is staffed by sexual health nurses. You can call them with any questions or concerns about sexual health and/or cervical screening and they can direct you to services for testing in your area:

1800 451 624

Monday to Friday, 9.00am-5.30pm

If you are concerned about COVID-19 or have questions, please visit the NSW Health website or contact Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Please take care of yourselves and each other and don’t hesitate to contact us at checkout@acon.org.au

Thank you all,

Check OUT Staff

Cervical Cancer Screening

I’m trans, do I need to screen?

Yes. Trans men and trans masc folk with a cervix who are 25 years of age or older are at risk of cervical cancer and need regular cervical screening.

Find everything you need to know about cervical screening, including HPV and the Cervical Screening Test, how to book your test and the choice of testing options available on the Can We website.

Visit canwe.org.au/cervical-screening/

Cancer

We’re here to help trans and gender diverse people take steps to prevent their risk of cancer and find support after diagnosis and treatment.

To find out more please visit the ‘Cancer’ section on our website or visit ACON’s Can We website.

Trans and Gender Diverse Legal Service

The Inner City Legal Centre’s Trans & Gender Diverse Legal Service is a dedicated service to provide trans or gender diverse clients free legal advice and support for a range of legal issues.

The services provided include advice on:

• Fines
• Employment
• Discrimination
• Special Medical Procedure applications to the Family Court of Australia
• Assistance in regard to drafting wills, power of attorney, enduring guardianship
• Divorce, separation and parenting
• Name and gender change advice/services
• Criminal and AVO advice and representation for especially vulnerable trans or gender diverse clients on a low income.

We encourage you to contact the Inner City Legal Centre via their website or on (02) 9332 1966 if you are trans or gender diverse, and seeking legal help.

Free Play Packs

NEED SAFE SEX SUPPLIES?

If you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community and you need safe sex supplies, we can post them to you anywhere in NSW (free!).

Simply complete the form below and we will get your play pack(s) delivered in no time!

If you need bulk supplies for a party, you can also request them from the below form.

If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact: kink@acon.org.au

Order your play pack here.

MPXV (monkeypox) Vaccination Appointment

MPXV (monkeypox) Vaccination Clinic for trans women, trans men and non-binary people – Appointment Form

ACON, partnering with NSW Health and South East Sydney Local Health District, will be providing a pop up MPXV vaccination clinic for trans women, trans men and non-binary people on Saturday, 20 August. The clinic will be provided at the Crown Street MPXV vaccination hub in Surry Hills and will run between 10am and 12pm.

Due to the limited global supply of MPXV vaccines, this clinic is for all trans women, trans men and non-binary people who have sex with gay, bi and other men who have sex with men (cis or trans).

These are the people most at risk of acquiring MPXV. In coming months, MPXV vaccinations will be opened to more groups.

To learn more about the vaccine to be used, please visit ACON’s information page here.

To attend the clinic on Saturday, please submit your name, mobile and phone number to the below form. Please also select your appointment window based on the options below.

Please note, your information will be stored by ACON and will only be shared with the MPXV vaccination hub clinical team to deliver your appointment.

ACON will destroy all contact information after the clinic is delivered.

UPDATES: Vaccination appointments are now full.

Trans Counselling and Care Coordination

We provide a FREE, confidential and state-wide trans Counselling and Care Coordination service comprising non-judgmental short-term care coordination and counselling support for trans and gender diverse people and people questioning their gender living, aged 18 years and older living in NSW. 

This service takes a trauma-informed approach to support individuals is for people who are currently experiencing thoughts of suicide or who have recently made a suicide attempt.

For more information or to undertake a brief intake assessment, please complete the Online Intake Form or contact your nearest ACON office. 

ACON’s Trans Mental Health and Wellbeing service is proudly funded by the NSW Ministry of Health. 

Trans Peer Support

Peer Work is a non-clinical alternative support based on mutual lived experience.  

ACON now offers confidential, free and state-wide trans peer support for people aged 18 years or older who are trans, gender diverse or questioning their gender. 

Our trans peers have a trans or gender diverse lived and living experience, and recovery from mental ill health or suicidal crisis.  They can connect with you through their own previous challenges, providing non-clinical support as an alternative to, or in addition to ACON’s other services. 

Our trans peer workers can help people: 

• Who may be questioning their gender or who want to better understand their gender 
• Seeking support to access and navigate gender-affirming care 

By providing mental health support by reflecting intentionally and thoughtfully on their lived experience to guide you through life’s challenges 

Peer Workers typically offer support to clients over 3 months. 

This service can take place online or via phone anywhere in NSW or face-to-face in Sydney (Surry Hills) or Newcastle. 

For more information or to undertake a brief intake assessment, please complete the Online Intake Form or contact your nearest ACON office. 

ACON’s Trans Mental Health and Wellbeing service is proudly funded by the NSW Ministry of Health.