Trans Health Research

08/10/2025

October 8 marks International Le***an Day — a day to honour le***an history, culture, and diversity. Today we celebrate the strength and richness of le***an identity and community, including le***an trans women and trans femmes, transmasculine le***ans, and non-binary le***ans, no matter the s*x they were presumed at birth. We recognise the historical contributions of le***an and transgender activists like Leslie Feinberg, and the ongoing work of trans-inclusive communities and creatives continuing that legacy today.

Image description: Text displayed alongside a photo. The text acknowledges and celebrates International Le***an Day, as previously written. The photo shows a trans woman walking with her le***an partner outdoors, the pair holding hands and smiling lovingly at each other. End description.

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Photo: FG Trade, iStock.

01/10/2025

Trans Health Research have collated information, resources, and training modules useful to professionals working in trans health, and professionals looking to make their work more inclusive for trans and gender diverse people.

Find treatment guidelines, research guidelines, links to training resources, and more, here: https://www.transresearch.org.au/professionalresources

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and additional resources may be available.

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Information, resources, and training modules useful to professionals working in trans health.

01/10/2025

Cervical cancer is now considered a preventable disease, with Australia aiming to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2035.

This goal relies on equitable access to HPV vaccination, cervical screening, and access to treatment for all people–including trans and gender diverse people with a cervix.

In this new publication in the Medical Journal of Australia, we call for:

- Inclusion of trans people in national health data.

- Comprehensive training for health providers on trans people and their needs.

- Investment to establish, expand, and sustain awareness campaigns.

- Community-led initiatives to ensure safe, inclusive materials and approaches.

- Inclusivity and targeted approaches to catch-up programs.

- Recognition of diversity within trans communities, including people outside of major cities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, and people who are neurodivergent.

Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.70041

Image description: Text displayed alongside a photo. The text says, “New research: Trans and gender diverse people must be meaningfully included in cervical cancer prevention. This includes trans men, non-binary people, Brotherboys, and others who use different labels.” The photo shows a trans man sitting on his couch, hugging a pillow as he looks out the window with a serious expression. He has tattoos on his arms and neck, short dark hair, and is wearing a dark shirt with earrings. End description.

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Photo: staticnak1983, iStock.

24/09/2025

We are currently recruiting participants for our GAME Cardiac Study, which is based at a specialised cardiac health clinic at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.

Trans and gender diverse adults (aged 18 to 50) who have received either oestrogen-based or testosterone-based GAHT continuously for at least 2 years are welcome to participate.

Participants will complete a cardiac MRI, echocardiogram, and cardiopulmonary exercise test. This study will help us understand the unique profiles of heart health, structure, and function in trans and gender diverse people.

To learn more about this study and what is involved, please email trans-cardiac@unimelb.edu.au, call 0403 069 897, or view the study webpage here:

https://www.transresearch.org.au/participate/game-cardiac

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This is a sub-study of the world-first GAME Study, seeking to further understand the impacts of gender-affirming hormone therapy on health.

24/09/2025

Many trans and gender diverse people are also autistic. Gender diversity and neurodiversity often go hand-in-hand, though the reasons for this correlation are unclear. Autism is not a disease in need of a cure, but a neurodevelopmental difference deserving of individualised support. While many in our community struggle with such differences, overlapping experiences of gender diversity and neurodiversity bring unique perspectives, creativity, and resilience.

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of autism misinformation currently circulating, including from people in positions of power. That’s why we welcome the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences’s evidence brief on autism, paracetamol, and vaccines.

https://aahms.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AAHMS-Autism-Evidence-Brief.pdf

Some studies have looked at possible links between things in the environment and autism, but there’s no clear evidence that these actually cause autism. Importantly, large, high-quality studies show no evidence that paracetamol causes autism. And, despite the myths, research consistently shows there is no link between vaccines (or their ingredients) and autism.

At Trans Health Research, we celebrate and value diversity (in gender and neurotype), and we’re committed to ensuring healthcare providers and policymakers deliver services and systems that are evidence-based and better support the whole person.

23/09/2025

This month is Bis*xual+ Awareness Month, and yesterday was International Bi+ Visibility Day!

Many trans people are multi-gender attracted, which includes identities such as bis*xual and pans*xual. To learn more about including Bi+ people in research, check out “Bi the Way: A Guide to Bis*xual+ Research” by our friends at the Melbourne Bis*xual+ Network (now part of Bi+ Pride Victoria):

https://www.melbournebis*xualnetwork.com/publications

Image description: The words, “Celebrating bi+ trans people on Bis*xual+ Visibility Day” displayed alongside six photos. From top left to bottom right: A trans man and his girlfriend standing outdoors and embracing. A feminine trans person standing indoors, holding up the trans flag. A crowd of people marching in a pride parade, with one person holding a sign which says, “BLESSED TO BE BI”. An androgynous person standing indoors, sticking their tongue out and winking while holding up the pans*xual flag. A trans woman and her masculine le***an partner embracing on the couch. Two unidentifiable people holding hands in front of the bis*xual flag. End description.

Photo credits (same order): Freepik. Lia Bekyan. agrobacter, iStock. Tim Samuel. FG Trade, iStock. Kateryna Hliznitsova.

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23/09/2025

REMINDER! THIS WEDNESDAY!

🏳️‍⚧️✨ Join us for a powerful panel discussion at the Victorian Pride Centre as part of Move In Pride, proudly partnered with Proud 2 Play.

Debunking Myths of Trans Participation in Sport will cut through the disinformation often seen in media and sport, with insights from real-world science and lived experience. Together we’ll challenge the myths that create barriers for trans and gender diverse people, and explore ways to make sport more inclusive.

🎤 Hosted by Kade Matthews (Proud 2 Play) with speakers:

Dr Ada Cheung (Trans Health Research Group, University of Melbourne)
Stella Lesic (Q***r Sporting Alliance)
Dr Danielle Stefanski (Physician & Trans Advocate)

After the panel, stick around for two hours of networking with sports and LGBTIQA+ leaders and a chance to connect and share learnings.

📅 Wednesday 24 September
⏰ 6:30 – 9:30pm (panel + networking)
📍 Victorian Pride Centre
🎟 $30 – link in bio to book - use code MIP20 for 20% off

18/09/2025

We don't need to tell our audience that words are incredibly powerful. We are so relieved for transgender soccer player Riley Dennis, who has secured a victory in the NSW Local Court in a vilification case against anti‑trans campaigner Kirralie Smith.

The court found that Smith’s social media posts were capable of inciting serious contempt and ridicule, lacked objective good faith, and included her refusal to use Dennis’s pronouns, all of which contributed to the ruling.

Dennis described the decision as a necessary stand—not just for herself, but for all q***r and trans individuals who simply want to participate in sport without harassment. Nobody wants to take legal recourse, because it inevitably brings unwanted attention, but sometimes it’s necessary to protect dignity and set precedent. We applaud Dennis’s courage in taking this stand.

This outcome highlights both the harms of targeted vilification, and how legal rulings can fiercely protect trans people’s rights and dignity.

Our group’s Ada Cheung also featured in a recent ABC 7.30 Report, sharing insights on the role of science in shaping fair and inclusive sport.

http://bit.ly/4gNFmiR

Image description: Text displayed alongside a photo. The text reads, “Riley Dennis legal victory: There is no place for hate, on or off the field.” The photo shows a soccer ball sitting on green grass, with people visible in the blurred background. The entire photo is bright with sunshine. End description.

16/09/2025

Dr Lachie Angus was recently invited to speak at the Internal Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand (IMSANZ) conference on Transgender Health for the General Physician.

It was great to see the enthusiasm and interest from our specialist General Physician colleagues, who are crucial in helping us reducing barriers to healthcare, and improving health outcomes for the trans and gender diverse community.

We discussed barriers to care, including systems that do not allow for easy documentation of preferred names and pronouns, how to provide culturally safe and informed health care, and the basics of gender-affirming hormone therapy.

Image description: Text displayed alongside a photo. The text reads, “Internal Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand: Transgender Health for the General Physician”. The photo shows Dr Lachie Angus standing at a podium onstage, speaking into two microphones. He is wearing a light tan suit jacket over a collared shirt, and dark trousers. In the background, a large screen displays the words, “Transgender Health for General Physicians” over a photograph of people’s hands waving small trans flags in the air. End description.

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10/09/2025

Trans Health Research were recently honoured to attend the world premiere of HOOPS – a new vertical social documentary series from Snack Drawer.

HOOPS follows the story of transgender basketball player Lexi Rodgers as she searches for a team to call home in the NBL1. Filmed over more than two years, this series is a labour of love that shines a light on women’s sport and one remarkable woman’s relentless passion for basketball.

We’re proud that Ada Cheung also features in the series, helping to share evidence and context around the importance of inclusion in sport.

In a climate where transgender people are too often weaponised in political debates, HOOPS tells a different story – one of sport, belonging, and resilience.

Follow .series on Instagram and TikTok to watch HOOPS, with more episodes being released today.
https://www.instagram.com/transathletica.series/

(Please note that this trailer briefly features transphobic opinions from a news commentator.)

09/09/2025

Trans and gender diverse community members told us that the housing crisis was one of the biggest issues impacting their health and wellbeing. In response, we conducted a survey of over 800 trans and gender diverse people from across Australia, to learn more about their housing experiences.

Many people shared complex, difficult, and stressful experiences of navigating renting, including Cade, who said: “In order to secure a rental, I hid my gender identity from the real estate agency. I used a different email address than usual (my email has ‘Mx' in it) and have hidden any pride-related items whenever there has been an inspection.”

A full report on trans housing experiences is coming soon.

Trans or gender diverse and in need of support? Find a range of services and resources here: https://www.transresearch.org.au/community-resources

Image description: Text and large quotation marks displayed alongside a photo. The text is Cade’s quote with attribution. The photo shows a non-binary person standing in their kitchen, leaning on their bench, looking toward the window with a serious expression. They are wearing a long-sleeved blue top, patterned grey trousers, jewellery, and makeup. They have a short, closely-cropped afro. End description.



Photo credit: Filippo Bacci, iStock.

03/09/2025

August marked a truly momentous milestone at the Royal Melbourne Hospital; their very first Surgical Forum on trans health!

At 7am on Wednesday the 20th, the lecture theatre was packed to standing room only—a powerful sign of the commitment of staff from across the hospital to learn more about gender-affirming care.

Prof Ada Cheung gave an overview of trans health in Australia and the unmet need for gender-affirming surgery.

Dr Alan Briedahl spoke about facial feminisation surgery.

A/Prof Simon Tsao shared his expertise on top surgery.

Dr Dixon Woon movingly told the story of his son’s journey to accessing gender-affirming care, describing the truly transformative, life-changing impact it has had.

The forum brought together surgeons from all specialties, with strong support from the hospital’s CEO.

These are small but steady steps forward; moments that build momentum towards greater equity and access for trans people. We’ll keep working!!

Image description: Text displayed alongside a photo. The text reads, “20 August 2025: Royal Melbourne Hospital’s first surgical forum on trans health”. The photo shows a doctor standing before a group of seated people, with the focus on their hand as they hold up a microphone and speak into it. The seated audience are blurred in the background. End description.



Photo: SDI Productions, iStock.