Australia's transgender community is hopeful for greater representation, after a politician in British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party said he planned to change his gender identity, making him Britain's first openly transgender member of parliament.
Jamie Wallis said on Wednesday he was trans, "or to be more accurate, I want to be".
The decision to come out follows several traumatic experiences in his personal life revealed in a very personal statement on Twitter.
Mr Wallis, who has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria said, while he has felt this way from a young age, he did not expect to ever say anything while still in politics.
"I have never lived my truth and I'm not sure how. Perhaps it starts with telling everyone," he said.
Gender dysphoria, which is when significant distress occurs in people whose gender identity is different from their assigned sex, can affect people of every different age and stage of life, according to queer and non-binary psychologist Juniper Muller.
They said transgender people sometimes have to choose between safety and authenticity in a professional working environment.
"So I, myself am a professional who is out and I have my pronouns and talk about being non-binary and trans on my website. That's a privilege.
Juniper Muller is a queer, non-binary psychologist with experience in gender, sex, and sexuality. Source: SBS News / Supplied
"That [British] MP made an incredibly brave decision to be out starting that transition process. And although there might be some people like 'yay, that's so exciting', in the UK right now there is a culture of transphobia at the state level, at the medical level amongst like lots of the societal levels as well," they said.
Proud trans woman and Greens candidate for Franklin in Tasmania Jade Darko said given the prevalence of transphobia seen in the UK, seeing the first openly transgender MP in its parliament was a huge milestone.
Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility Source: SBS News
The Greens federal candidate said although the current climate is very hostile to trans rights, it gives all the more reason for transgender people to be involved in politics and in roles of leadership.
She also supports every person to embrace who they are.
"I would encourage anyone who is questioning their gender identity to come out to live authentically, to live in a way that pursues joy because there's only one chance at life." Ms Darko said.
CEO of Transgender Victoria Mama Alto said on days like International Transgender Day of Visibility on 31 March, and throughout the year, seeing the transgender community thrive and flourish, celebrating who they are and how far they've come, strengthens each other.
"It's up to those of us with the relative privilege of visibility, including trans people in positions of leadership, to keep working towards a better world, where all trans and gender diverse people can be safe, loved, included and celebrated," she said.
LGBTIQ+ Australians seeking support with mental health can contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit . also has a list of support services.
