TRANS 
VISIBILITY 
AWARDS

Dani Leever is a transmasc writer, editor and DJ from Naarm. They're the Online Editor of Archer Magazine, where they work to uplift and champion marginalised voices through community-led storytelling and authentic, diverse representation. Their alter ego is the award-nominated and queer dancefloor staple DJ Gay Dad. They've played queer stages, festivals and large-scale events around so-called Australia; they're passionate about inclusive and celebratory queer joy on the dancefloor and behind the decks.

Ella is a trans, gender fluid, partner, parent, event producer, Olympic lifter and the founder and caretaker of Pony Club Gym. Ella built PCG's radical community to reflect the world they hope to see locally and globally. Rooted in their QTPOC and gender diverse lived experience, they empower people to reclaim autonomy over their bodies through resistance, care and community.

A queer, trans guy living in Naarm. Finn’s an advocate, poet, youth worker, workshop facilitator and micro influencer. He champions LGBTQIA+ young people, advocating for TGD people's human right to play sport and for young people in his community to have free gender affirmation kits. Fin has an unshakable commitment to making the world more accessible, inclusive, and affirming.

A drag creature, fashion designer and multidisciplinary artist whose work champions community resilience and radical imagination, Belial is the creator of the fashion lavel OFFWORD AESTHETIC. They regularly sponsor events across Naarm with size-inclusive, vegan and sensory friendly handmade accessories. On stage, they are a dedicated advocate for COVID-conscious and accessible drag shows.

A queer person of colour and a proud unionist, Wolfie is a passionate advocate for the rights of TGD people especially in the workplace. Their advocacy focuses on making statewide dental services more accessible to TGD people and in pushing for gender affirmation leave to become a legislated workplace right. They sit on the Oral Health Victoria’s Consumer Advisory Committee and the Victorian Labor Party’s LGBTQIA+ Policy Committee.

An Indigenous Māori interdisciplinary artist and young leader within the ballroom community of Naarm, Māhia is a  femme queen daughter of the Kiki House of Furia, she nurtures and uplifts young trans women and men through the support of chosen family. Best known as a ballroom archivist, storyteller, and educator, Māhia also works as a commentator, fem queen voguer, curator, and multimedia artist.

The princess of pink, Sammi (AKA Lou Baby), has been bringing her music, filled with messages of self love, to Pride events all around regional Victoria. She self animates her own cartoon about herself, which she shares online, documenting her life as a transgender super powered pop star. Lou Baby is gearing up to release the first episode of her cartoon next year and her debut album which focuses on transgender rights!

An occupational therapist, Canon, lives in a rural town of 200 people and specialises in adult and older person mental health. He often travels to homes and communities where services are unable to reac, often foregoing the comfort of home for camping with a mobile office to make this possible. Canon’s quiet visibility carries weight, showing that diversity belongs even in the smallest towns, without spotlight or fanfare.

A transmasculine young person living on Waddawurrung Country, at just 14, Casper founded  the SLAY project, a not for profit which directly addresses the urgent need for gender affirmation among trans and gender diverse young people in regional areas, by providing free and personalised gender-affirming kits. From volunteering at Qhub Geelong’s Under-12s drop-ins, to MC and facilitating groups, Casper ensures all trans people know there is a future of happiness and euphoria waiting for them.

A Filipina trans trailblazer who turns survival into art and art into spectacle, Dax has relentlessly championed the stories of trans and migrant communities, creating theatre that does more than fill representational gaps. They were crowned Most Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor at the inaugural Dionysus Awards (2024) and BroadwayWorld’s Best Performance in a Play (Melbourne, 2023). Dax is the first commissioned writer for the Festival of Australian Queer Theatre. Their works defy respectability and demand attention.

An award-winning poet, Nikki won numerous prizes including the Midsumma Poetry Prize (2019), first place in Melbourne Spoken Word’s Trans Slam (2019), the Liquid Amber Emerging Poets Prize (2025) and third place in the Melbourne Poetry Union’s 30th International Poetry Competition (2025).  She is a shining light for trans, femme, neurodiverse and asexual representation.

A disabled trans theatremaker living and working in Naarm, Oliver is best known for his autobiographical work ‘I’m Ready To Talk Now’, which debuted to a sold-out Melbourne Fringe season in 2023. Oliver's practice is strongly informed by his identity as a member of the queer, trans, and disabled communities. His goals as an artist are to uplift often unheard voices and create work that furthers their representation in the public eye.

As the architect behind TRANSform, the largest longitudinal study of trans adult health in Australian history, Dr Sav Zwickl has transformed the landscape of trans health research. Their research findings have directly influenced policy and secured historic government investment in trans health. Their initiatives, Emerging Trans Researchers Conference and the Trans Researchers in Trans Research Network, have fostered capacity and leadership amongst trans researchers nationally.

A Narrm-based musician, music therapist, composer, and facilitator with over 20 years of performing experience, Jack is a proud trans man and the Creative and Musical Director of Key Change Choir —Australia’s first peer support choir for Trans, Gender Diverse, and Gender Exploring adults. He is also dedicated to reducing vocal dysphoria and fostering community connection through creative spaces.

A trans, non-binary person of colour who is passionate about sexual health, Star Trek and their cats. Heti is a Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) promotion specialist who champions for systems to change to meet the needs of TGD people. They serve the community through workshops like ‘The Cost of Gender Affirmation: Figuring It All Out’ and and strives for a future where pleasure is a priority.

A queer, trans, AuDHD, chronically ill, disabled person, Lumen is dedicated to supporting and protecting TGD communities, particularly multiply marginalised TGD people. Through advocacy, volunteering, mutual aid, community projects, education/training, policy advice, open-access resources, anti-oppressive therapy, and their upcoming Appetite for Change Conference, Lumen works tirelessly behind the scenes to improve safety and quality of life for TGD folk across so-called ‘Australia’, with heart, commitment, and care.

Founder of Social Butterflies, Francine offer much more than monthly parties for trans femmes, themmes, and cross-dressers. Social Butterflies is a safe space for people to debut as their authentic selves, and Francine's unwavering commitment to inclusion and initiative has helped many closeted transfemmes to gain confidence and begin their social transition.

For over a decade, Salem “Cherry Pup” has worked as a sex worker, creating not just a successful private business but a platform for trans visibility, advocacy, and unapologetic joy. Part of his support work business is working with marginalised humans, working with organisations as ambassadors and leaders and to support the queer community at large on the biggest scale he can. As a bisexual trans man he has forged a rare space in an industry where trans men are seldom acknowledged, let alone celebrated. Managing every aspect of his business while confronting stigma and threats, Salem exemplifies resilience, professionalism and creativity.

A mature age, out and loud Trans Woman, Julie is an inspiring TGD community member. She volunteers at TGV's Affirmation Station and other events, is an Ambassador for Euphoria Social and a member of the LGBTQIA+ Advisory committee for the City of Greater Dandenong. She wishes every TGD person can live their life as the person they wish to be, to their absolute fullest.

A joint founding member of Transgender Victoria, Transfamily Inc and Zoe Belle Gender Collective (and Bi+ Pride Victoria), Sally is a pioneering trans educator, speaker and community broadcaster. She contributed hugely to groundbreaking law reform protecting gender identity from discrimination and helped achieve passport reform and the sex and gender guidelines.

Gemma Saunders (she/her) is a queer leader and staunch trans ally who has dedicated the past year to amplifying and supporting trans and gender diverse communities. Through offering free coaching and mentoring to trans and gender diverse leaders, running storytelling masterclasses, and providing pro bono consulting to trans organisations, Gems has created tangible opportunities for growth and visibility.

Incredibly proud parents of an amazing trans daughter, Sue and Haydn have fought with unwavering commitment to make systemic changes at Victorian schools so every TGD child feels safe at school. They believe supporting their daughter be her authentic self has been one of the greatest honours of their lives as everyone deserves the right to be exactly who they are.

A dedicated clinical psychologist based in Naarm, Genevieve is passionate about supporting the TGD community, providing affirming, trauma-informed care for people of all ages, including providing WPATH assessments for TGD youth under 16. She emphasises autonomy and self-determination in her work, taking an intersection and inclusive approach.  Her unwavering support and activism makes her a trusted ally.