Regional debut for trans offering

REPRESENTATIVES of Victoria’s leading body for transgender and gender diversity were in town over the weekend, bringing the Affirmation Station initiative to the region.

Camp Street’s Arts Incubator became a haven for local transgender and gender diverse community members, with Transgender Victoria staff on hand to deliver the program which aims to provide support, connection, and resources.

The organisation’s senior programs manager Stevye Ellman, who established the initiative, was onsite both days to help lead bra-fitting sessions.

“Ever since we opened, it’s been a goal of mine to be able to take this on the road,” she said.

“I was contacted by Sez [Lothian], the City of Ballarat’s [LGBTIQA+] community inclusion officer about doing one event and I thought it was an ideal opportunity to do nine events across two days.

“Actually having a council willing to put the money out to care for their trans and gender diverse citizens is really rare.”

Saturday’s program entailed group sessions on personal styling and makeup, followed by a trans femme workshop delivered by Ballarat local Dr Sophie Pilbeam.

Sunday saw participants taking part in a second hair styling session as well as binder and bra fittings, after culminating with a trans masc workshop.

The majority of programs were sold out, with an even split between local and Melbourne-based providers.

Ms Ellman said she hopes the visit’s success will pave the way for the Affirmation Station to become an independent pillar of Ballarat’s trans and gender diverse community.

“Long term, we’d love to see people in Ballarat be able to continue to do these sessions even without Transgender Victoria here,” she said.

“One of our core tenets is to provide peer support so we want this to be sustainable beyond us. It’s having local community share these skills with each other.”

Free clothing was also provided by local trans op shop outlet Ballarat’s Rainbow Rack, while participants also left the sessions with complimentary resources, gift cards, and vouchers.