Launch of report hearing from trans and gender diverse children and young people

Commissioner for Children and Young People, Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, unveils a new report casting a spotlight on the lived experiences of Western Australian trans and gender diverse children and young people.

Mental health, connection to community, perceptions of safety are some of the key areas of concern in the Commissioner’s latest report, ‘I just want to feel equal to others’: Hearing from trans and gender diverse children and young people in WA.

“This report shares the stories of trans and gender diverse children and young people in Western Australia,” Commissioner McGowan-Jones said. “By doing so, I hope there can be better understanding of the issues they face.”

“Trans and gender diverse youth are telling us that they don’t feel like they belong in their communities,” Ms McGowan-Jones said.

Trans and gender diverse children and young people emphasise the need for an inclusive, supportive and fair community that includes positive role models, representation and visibility of trans and gender diverse people, as they struggle with their own disconnect from the communities they live in.

They also expressed concerns about safety in the community due to bullying, discrimination, and anxiety, with fears of public toilets usage being particularly significant.

“I think one of trans people’s biggest fears is like going into the bathroom of their actual gender and having someone be like oh you’re in the wrong bathroom,” a 16-year-old participant explained.

They call for better reporting systems to address discrimination and abuse, as well as inclusive policies and representation in schools to ensure a secure and supportive environment.

Identified barriers included accessing support in healthcare and mental health settings due to the lack of awareness about gender diversity, limited availability and high costs of support services, negative past experiences and fears of breach of confidentiality.

The Commissioner shared, “As a caring society, we should go beyond tolerating and accepting gender diversity. We need to demonstrate to trans and gender diverse children and young people that we not only acknowledge them, but also wholeheartedly support, respect and celebrate them for who they are.”

Children’s Commissioner Jacqueline McGowan-Jones said the children and young people who participated in in the consultation exhibited a prevailing resilience despite the significant adversity they have experienced in their lives.

“Despite the difficulties they described, the children and young people who shared their stories with me displayed remarkable resilience and introspection.”

‘I just want to feel equal to others’: Hearing from trans and gender diverse children and young people in WA and the Young People's Summary Report are available on the Commissioner’s website.

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