PEOPLE have gathered for a groundbreaking new camp in the Grampians region which aimed to connect members of the trans and gender diverse community.
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More than 40 people attended the camp, co-ordinated by the Geelong Gender Group and Alphabet Soup, which connected regional trans and gender diverse people.
Alphabet Soup co-ordinator and peer support worker Tina Healy said the event was a huge success.
“We wanted to bring an opportunity for attendees to join in a fun and safe activity that often is unavailable to people outside of the major cities,” she said.
Ms Healy said she received positive feedback from the group, which she said indicated everyone felt safe in the community.
“The Stawell police worked in with the organisers and provided a discreet presence for the duration of the camp,” she said.
Ms Healy said inclusion and a sense of community was important.
“We tried to get the different parts of the trans-spectrum together with a focus on rural Victoria,” she said.
The group attended various tourist attractions and eateries in the region. Stawell Neighbourhood House provided a venue for a workshop to wrap up the weekend.
Ms Healy said attitudes had changed greatly across the past 20 years. She said trans and gender diverse people used to meet in secret places for their own safety.
“Stawell Grampians Gate Caravan Park’s Marianne and Peter were very supportive and inclusive and were enthusiastic about doing it again next year,” she said.
Ms Healy said moving forward, youth and forming trans and gender diverse people wanted to be more involved in the broader community.
“A large part of the camp are giving people options to experience other activities and sights in a safe community. Trans and gender diverse youth is a growing section of the rural community, who want to be out and about in the broader community,” she said.
Ms Healy has lived in Stawell for two years and said she was proud of “her town and community” for their inclusive attitudes.
“I think a big key in country communities is being involved. I don’t think people care whether you are trans or not. People more care about you as a person and the way you contribute to the town community,” she said.
Ms Healy said people had expressed interest to return to Stawell next year and recommended the region and the camp to others.