Transgender Victoria is the leading body for trans and gender diverse advocacy, training, and resource development in Victoria. We work to achieve justice, equity and inclusive service provision for trans and gender diverse people, their partners, families and friends.
We work with and for the trans and gender diverse community to create positive change in human rights and policy development. We represent the community by challenging discrimination, and assist in the empowerment of trans people, so that they may lead full and meaningful lives.
TGV recognises the right of all members of the trans and gender diverse community to equality in all areas of life, including housing, education, work, health services and legal representation.
FY23/24 was our biggest year yet, reaching well over 100,000 people through our advocacy initiatives. Click the link below to download our Impact Report.
Ex-management consultant, board director and honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne, Maya comes to us with experience in LGBTQIA+ & BPOC community engagement and an unwavering commitment to advocating for transgender rights.
Benjie Norman is a Business Strategist and senior leader with extensive experience across higher education, research, business development and commercialisation. She has a proven track record of delivering strategic, commercial, and financial leadership, particularly in developing growth strategies in global markets with a focus on Asia. Benjie’s career has seen her successfully navigate complex industry and government partnerships, strategies development, organsational change, and international development, as well as the establishment of new ventures and M&A deals. Her commitment to social change, business growth and governance is demonstrated through her multiple non-executive directorship roles across diverse sectors, including both profit and non-profit organisations. Her qualifications and professional accreditations include an Advanced Diploma of Tourism Management; Bachelor of Management (major in marketing); Master of Planning (specialisation in urban design); and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Jacob Thomas is an internationally recognised human rights advocate and multi-published researcher, specialising in queer youth. Their research is broadly in the areas of queer health with a particular focus on queering psychology through their PhD at La Trobe University through ARCSHS.Jacob is particularly passionate about queering spaces and places such as building sites, local government, and clinics to ensure practitioners are equipped with the necessary skills to work with and for queer people. They’ve worked in a myriad of fields including not-for profit, charity, higher education, international development, human rights, and government. They’ve been an advisor to the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, UN Girls Education Initiative, and several youth run start-ups. In their spare time Jacob is a baker, lecturer, clothing designer, and drag artist.
Son is proud to have ‘grown into’ their current role as CEO of TGV, having served as Secretary (Volunteer Committee member) and Peer-Support Program Lead. They have a background in film/media production, and research/writing/teaching in academia. They come from white working class roots in far north Queensland and regional South Australia, and they are a staunch ally to have both bio and chosen family with Arrernte and Ngarrindjeri ancestry. Son is neurodiverse, non-binary and a parent to grown and growing kids.Son loves gardening, bees, dogs, growing things and building shelter.
Fidan is an experienced and dedicated medical doctor, with a rich background in emergency medicine, public health, and a particular focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights. They have a history of working with national and international organisations to improve public health, human rights, and specifically fostering an inclusive approach to LGBTI+ health. Their hands-on experience both in clinical and policy making settings has allowed them to hone skills in patient care, health literacy, and accessibility. Moving into the field of Business and Technology, they have been working in project management, strategic growth and commercial development.Driven by a passion for sexual health, their future plans are specialising in Sexology to ensure inclusive, culturally-sensitive care for everyone and develop this field, especially within the Turkish cultural context.
Jax is a disability and LGBTIQA+ rights activist, writer, educator and consultant. Jax is the co-chair of Inclusive Rainbow Voices: a new organisation for LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities. Jax’s tireless commitment to LGBTIQA+ disability human rights and advocacy has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Jax has served on the Victorian Disability Advisory Council, Victorian Government’s LGBTI Taskforce Health and Human Services Working Group, and the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s Disability Reference Group.In their downtime Jax enjoys creating havoc with their children, reading memoirs and drinking tea from their favourite rainbow mug.
Sophie is a queer and non-binary advocate. They have 3 years board experience, having spent time on the board of RainbowYOUTH in New Zealand before joining the Trans Victoria team. They currently work in strategic advisory and previously studied law and politics.Sophie is a kiwi, having jumped over the ditch 2 years ago, and loves hiking, reading and expressing delight at the abundance of Aussie mammals.
Michelle is an Honorary Enterprise Fellow at the University of Melbourne, a biotechnology professional providing consultancy services to industry and an LGBTIQA+ activist. She joined TGV as a volunteer in 2015 and has been a committee member since 2016. They chair the advocacy subcommittee of TGV.Michelle is a practising Buddhist and has a wife of over 40 years and 2 adult children.
