A Gender Agenda aims to support the goals and needs of the intersex, transgender and gender diverse communities of Canberra and the surrounding region. Through education, advocacy, peer support and professional networks we connect people to each other and build off the wisdom of collective experiences. For over fifteen years, AGA has represented a gold standard of TGD+I support that is unique in Australia.
Trans and gender diverse people are strong, resilient, valuable, knowledgeable and hard-working members of every community. We are professionals, tradies, creatives, scientists, coaches, family members, dreamers, logical thinkers, people of faith, humanists, the barista that serves you coffee, the lawyer who helps you with your will – we are proudly your community.
We are human nature. We have always existed, across all cultures and all time. This is immutable fact.
In recent months, there has been a rising tide of hate from people who fear and want to stop change, and who fear shifts in their perceived status. Creating a group to scapegoat is a diversion tactic to hide their actions – a tactic that is predictable and unoriginal. Scapegoating inflicts harm, hinders progress and stifles creative innovation. This tactic will not last – it never does. Hate is destructive for the hater; openness and compassion are power and strength.
We at AGA know the burden you may feel shouldering this false hate. We know the strain; we know the anguish. So, we will do what we always do, provide support, continue providing essential health and social services that enrich, nurture and build a stronger Canberra community. We are here for you. Our wonderful events and drop ins will continue because of you; our wonderful community who make them so.
We at AGA will continue what we always do – and we encourage our government partners, our community partners, to do the same – continue to work for a thriving, compassionate and progressively innovative Canberra. Our work together has consistently made the ACT a model for laws, legislation and processes that are adopted nation-wide. The international community looks to us and our innovative work. This will continue.
To our wider Canberra community, who are shocked and horrified, who want to help but don’t quite know how. Every day and in every way, you can inoculate yourself against this illogical, fear-driven hatred and scapegoating by remembering that we are just like everyone else; and any attack on our rights is an attack on yours.
If you want to help further, we welcome you to get involved with AGA through joining an event, volunteering or donating – every little bit helps.
Remember our rights are your rights. We are you.
If you require support at this time, we encourage you to reach out to support services like Qlife (1800 184 527).
Support AGA and the planet! We’ve partnered with ReCollect – a door-to-door recycling collection service, picking up refundable recycling (drink cans, glass bottles, etc.) and processing it on your behalf.
If you’d like to support us with your recycling (or just don’t want to make a run to a CDS collection point yourself) then check out ReCollect here:
AGA acknowledges the Ngunnawal people as the traditional owners of this land on which we work and live. We pay our respects to the Elders of the Ngunnawal Nation, both past and present. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connections to land, water and community. Always was always will be.