Panellists included Dr Michelle Telfer, Director of the Gender Service unit at Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Dr Marie Perry principal of Methodist Ladies' College in Perth, Bradley Fenner, former Principal of Prince Alfred College in South Australia and two young trans people Allie Messenger and Zavier Wileman.
Facilitated by Pride in Diversity Relationship Manager WA Alyce Schotte the panellists discussed how their own experiences both professionally and personally had led them to understand the importance of including a gender identity ground in the Equal Opportunity Act would be vital to the wellbeing of gender diverse youth.
Dr Telfer said despite the care and support given to young trans people through her team at Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, discrimination and abuse in their day to day lives had a hugely negative impact on this cohort's mental and emotional wellbeing.
"When it comes to affirming one's gender we know it takes incredible courage and perseverance.
"In terms of transphobia I see things from a distance, but I am still rocked to the core by what young trans people experience, and I back that no one would choose to put themselves in that position," she said.
She said each one of us deeply feels their own gender identity and sense of self which is a human right.
"We have an extraordinarily supportive Government (in Victoria) that has put in place laws to support trans people.
"Young people can change their name and sex on birth certificates to have identity documents that reflect who they are, and you can appreciate how much safer that makes them feel," Dr Telfer said.
She said she encourages WA to change the Equal Opportunity Act so trans young people can also be protected from gender identity discrimination.
"Every layer of safety is important and vital," she said.
Allie said as a member of the Fremantle LGBTQIA+ community she had heard terrible stories of discrimination and abuse from other community members
"(Trans students) have a rainbow room at their school which is a target for bullying, and users of the room have rocks thrown at them, they have been called slurs and the school has not supported them.
"They have supportive parents, but it is taking its toll," she said.
Zavier said trans people just wanted the State Government to change the law so young trans people could get on with their lives.
"When you think of the stats around self-harm and suicide in young trans people you would have thought they would have changed the law by now," they said.
