Maya Pilbrow
31 March 2023
St Mark’s Fitzroy hopes to send a message of acceptance to trans and gender diverse people with a service commemorating International Trans Day of Visibility.
This comes in response to recent anti-trans rallies taking place across the country.
Service organiser the Reverend Canon Dr Garry Deverell said rally attendees questioned the right of trans people to exist.
He said he wanted to show affirmation and acceptance to the trans community.
Dr Deverell said it was important for churches to support vulnerable groups in their communities.
“[We should] accept people who say ‘No, we’re different to you’,” he said.
Read more: LGBTQIA+ Anglicans standing proud amid same-sex marriage debate
Dr Deverell said he had been alarmed by the presence of far-right elements at an anti-trans rally in front of Parliament house in Melbourne on 18 March.
According to a statement by Melbourne Activist Legal Support, the rally included 20 people known to be members of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network who shouted slurs and performed “Sieg Heil” hand gestures.
Vigil speaker the Reverend Dr Josephine Inkpin, one of only a few trans ordained Anglican ministers said many in the trans community had been left feeling traumatised by the events.
Dr Inkpin said the service at St Mark’s was important for helping the trans community feel supported.
“It’s really important that churches and Christians are able to come together in a prayerful manner that enables us to stand in solidarity [with the trans community],” she said.
Transgender Victoria treasurer and advocacy subcommittee chairwoman Michelle McNamara said trans and gender diverse people faced much higher rates of suicidality, depression and anxiety than the general population as a result of the discrimination they faced.
A 2021 report from national advocacy group LGBTIQ+ Health Australia states more than 48 per cent of trans and gender diverse youth had attempted suicide in their lifetime, 15 times the rate for the general population.
Read more: Church to remember suffering of transgender community
Ms McNamara, who uses she/they pronouns, said the distress felt by many trans people could be alleviated by supportive communities.
She said trans people of faith prospered when they received acceptance and affirmation from their faith communities.
Ms McNamara said visibility was important for trans and gender diverse people.
“Seeing transgender people just living their normal everyday lives and going about their business is wonderfully affirming for anybody who’s sitting there, worried about being psychologically or even physically abused,” they said.
The Trans Day of Visibility service will be run Friday 31 March at 6.30pm at St Mark’s Anglican Church, located at 250 George Street, Fitzroy. The vigil will be hosted by parish priest Fr Stuart Soley. In addition to Dr Inkpin, the Reverend Dr Avril Hannah-Jones and the Reverend Dr Craig D’Alton will speak.
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