Program description
Women’s Health in the North and Zoe Belle Gender Collective (ZBGC) co-hosted the Allyship in Action forum in April 2024 to strengthen the prevention of violence against trans and gender diverse people through bystander action and allyship. Designed for professionals working in the prevention of violence against women and gender equity sectors, the forum focused on supporting participants to confidently and effectively intervene in instances of transphobia and transmisogyny.
Set against a backdrop of increasing anti-trans sentiment, the forum prioritised safety and inclusivity, offering a structured and trauma-informed environment. The agenda featured expert presentations from ZBGC, Transcend Australia, Women’s Health in the North, Safe and Equal, and Rainbow Health Australia. These sessions explored the drivers and impacts of transmisogyny, backlash against trans communities, and practical tools for allyship and bystander intervention.
A panel of trans women and trans feminine people shared personal stories of discrimination and solidarity, illustrating the real-world consequences of inaction and the potential of meaningful allyship. Participants then applied good-practice bystander principles through case studies and group work, deepening their skills in recognising and responding to discriminatory behaviour.
Insights
The forum enhanced participants’ knowledge, confidence and motivation to act as allies. Attendees reported a greater understanding of how transphobia and misogyny intersect, and how feminist and trans justice movements can support each other in shared aims of equity and safety. Allyship in Action demonstrated that there is an appetite within the prevention of violence against women sector to explore transformative frameworks that are responsive to both the shared and unique drivers of violence against women and trans and gender diverse individuals and communities.
The forum illustrated that building strong, respectful partnerships between mainstream violence prevention organisations and groups led by trans and gender diverse people is essential. The collaboration modelled this approach, demonstrating how equitable partnerships can amplify impact, share power and support mutual capacity building.
Key takeaway
Women’s Health in the North gained deeper insight into inclusive practice, while ZBGC accessed new tools and frameworks to support its advocacy. The forum also reinforced the importance of integrating trans equity work within broader gender equity and prevention efforts. Rather than treating discrimination against trans people as separate or specialist, the event framed this as intrinsically connected to feminist goals. As participants noted, preventing violence against trans and gender diverse people strengthens efforts to end gendered violence for all. This partnership work has influenced other Victorian women’s health services to take action in trans-inclusive prevention efforts. Many have engaged ZBGC for professional development and have begun to embed trans-inclusive practice within their work.