Going through life as a transgender and non-binary young person, even with supportive parents, has been incredibly difficult for 18-year-old Mop.
"I want to let everyone know that they need to get better at understanding trans youth," the 18-year-old told SBS News.
Mop, along with their mum Lannen Stapleton, participated in the 44th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade on Saturday.
Executive director of Parents for Transgender Youth Equity Lannen Stapleton. Source: SBS News / Monique Pueblos
“We’ve worn black so we can stand out,” Ms Stapleton told SBS News.
“Mardi Gras is wonderful for its glitz and glamour, but we really need to get the message through that we need to support trans youth.”
Ms Stapleton is the executive director of Parents for Transgender Youth Equity, which had a float at the annual event in Sydney for the third time.
She said the message she’d like to let all young transgender people know is that life gets better.
“They are loved and there are people out there fighting and we do that every day behind the scenes.”
The Greens showed their allyship for the LGBTIQ+ community at the Oxford St Mardi Gras rally. Source: SBS News / Monique Pueblos
The Parents of Trans Youth Equity are actively advocating for better laws, regulations and acceptance of transgender youth, not only in New South Wales but all over Australia.
Ms Stapleton, the mother of two transgender children, said transgender youth have been a bit of a political football and it’s not fair on the kids.
“Things like the Religious Discrimination Bill and sports legislation are horrific, abhorrent and need to change.
“Trans youth are exactly the same as every other kid, except we just got their gender wrong at birth.
“I think they’re an awesome part of every community on earth, they always have been and they always will be.”
A colourful float in the 44th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on 5 March 2022. Source: AAP / BIANCA DE MARCHI/AAPIMAGE
Approximately 1,000 members of the LGBTIQ+ community and allies marched down Oxford Street on Saturday afternoon to rally against the stalled Religious Freedoms Bill, One Nation in NSW and legislation relating to transgender people in sport.
Transgender youth Liam Kay and Liliana Haines decided to go to the pride rally rather than attend the parade to stand up for transgender rights and continue fighting against the discriminatory laws.
“Trans rights are human rights,” Liam Kay told SBS News, holding his sign proudly.
“It feels like there’s a lot of solidarity and makes me feel like there are a lot of people in our corner,” he said.
Participants in the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Source: AAP / BIANCA DE MARCHI/AAPIMAGE
“It was going to be used as a sword against the LGBTIQ community and we can’t ever have that again,” he said.
“There’s never been a more critical time to stand in solidarity,” he said.
Story by Monique Pueblos.
