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WARRNAMBOOL EVENT TO SUPPORT TRANSGENDER PEOPLE

An event in Warrnambool later this month will show support for local transgender and gender-diverse people.
WRAD Health, in partnership with South West TAFE, is hosting a Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) barbecue on Monday March 31 to not only support trans and gender-diverse people but to acknowledge the importance of allyship in today’s political climate.
TDOV is an annual global event dedicated to recognising and celebrating the resilience, strength, and contributions of transgender people while acknowledging the challenges they continue to face.
This year, WRAD Health and South West TAFE are coming together not only to celebrate transgender people but to highlight the importance of visibility and support in ensuring equitable access to health and social services.
“At WRAD Health, we see firsthand how stigma and discrimination create barriers to care,” WRAD Health CEO Mark Powell said. “For transgender and gender-diverse people, these challenges can be even greater—particularly when intersecting with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. Too often, fear of judgment prevents people from reaching out for help. We want to change that.”
Mr Powell said the TDOV BBQ would provide a welcoming and inclusive space where people can come together, share a meal, and engage in meaningful conversations about visibility, inclusion, and the role of strong allies.
The event will provide an opportunity for people to meet with some of the staff from WRAD Health and South West TAFE to talk about some of the issues and gain information about support services available to trans and gender-diverse people, including those navigating AOD challenges.
“South West TAFE has been a great supporter of WRAD Health initiatives in the past and been very active in their own allyship so it makes sense to collaborate with them for this event,” Mark Powell said. “Through events like this, we can ensure that transgender and gender-diverse people feel seen, heard, and supported—not just today, but every day.”
“By standing together, we can challenge stigma, remove barriers to care, and build a more inclusive community.”
The free TDOV barbecue will be on Monday March 31 from noon-1pm at South West TAFE.