HERALD SUN
JORDY ATKINSON
AN ELWOOD College transgender student has gathered more than 13,200 signatures on a petition lobbying for fairer access to cross-sex hormone therapy.
At just 16, Georgie Stone is on a mission to change the lives of other transgender teenagers and children.
Three months shy of her 11th birthday Georgie became the youngest person in Australia to be granted use of puberty blockers by a court.
As she began her transition from male to female she set about trying to change the laws so trans children, with parental and medical consent, would no longer have to go through a costly, emotional and often gruelling court process.
Because of her efforts, consent from the Family Court of Australia is no longer needed to access puberty suppressors, the first stage of treatment.
‘IF MY VOICE BROKE IT WOULD RUIN MY LIFE’
Australia is the only country in the world that forces young people to still seek permission from the Family Court for stage two treatment, cross-sex hormone therapy.
But Georgie is continuing to fight against that, saying the courts made decisions based on medical advice and the process was unnecessary.
“It’s so distressing, it’s expensive and it’s unnecessary,” she said.
“It’s actually harming those children it is supposed to protect.”
“It’s about letting people be who they were born to be,” she said.
This month she became the youngest — and first transgender — person to win the Anti-Defamation Commission’s Making a Difference Award.
The award recognises those who confronted hatred and empowered others to create a more tolerant, respectful society.
Chairman of the Caulfield-based commission, Dr Dvir Abramovich, said Georgie was a “remarkable young woman” and incredibly deserving of the award.
“Her courageous advocacy for the LGBTI community and her unwavering, uplifting dedication to create a kinder and more tolerant Australia perfectly mirrors our core mission of combating discrimination and bigotry,” he said.
“She is a one-of-a-kind inspirational advocate for social change and a positive role model for young people to stand up to hatred and bullying.”
The change.org petition calls on the Federal Government to “remove Family Court of Australia from medical decisions for trans teens”.
“Those who cannot afford to go to court cannot access the medical treatment that is their right or they access hormones illegally, which may have devastating health consequences,” the petition states.
The petition will soon be presented to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.
Goldstein Federal Liberal MP Tim Wilson said Georgie Stone was a “remarkable young woman”.
“There is still a long way to take the Australian community on a journey to understand the challenge young people like Georgie face but we get there through leadership and people living lives of example as Georgie has done,” he said.
TEEN’S CAUSE IS ‘BIGGER THAN JUST ME’
STEPPING into the spotlight to share her story wasn’t something transgender teen Georgie Stone specifically set out to do.
But the Elwood College Year 10 student told the Leader the cause was “bigger than just me”.
“I didn’t plan on being an advocate but I quickly realised there was power in being able to speak out about my experiences,” Georgie said.
“I knew it would be helpful so it wasn’t really a big sacrifice.
“Educating people and raising awareness can change the way they treat trans people.”
Georgie was recently named GLBTI Person of the Year at the GLOBE Community Awards for championing social change.
The 16-year-old said she was honoured to receive the GLOBE honour, as well as the Anti-Defamation Commission’s Making a Difference Award this month, and dedicated both to trans people who “don’t feel respected”.
“I wanted them to know they would always have a place in our community where they could feel safe and supported,” she said.
“That’s the beautiful things about the LGBTI community, there is so much love and support there.”
Georgie credits her family’s unwavering support for allowing her to be herself and continue her fight for fairer treatment for young trans people.
“Many don’t have that support and it just means everything,” she said.
Georgie’s mum Rebekah Robertson, who was nominated for Straight Ally of the Year at the GLOBE Community Awards, said helping people understand and feel compassion was a “wonderful thing to be part of”.
“Every parent just wants their kids to be happy and when they’re happy, that’s when they can reach their full potential,” Ms Robertson said.
Despite the long road ahead, the composed, articulate and level-headed teen said she would keep fighting.
“It’s a difficult task but it’s possible, we’ve done it once before,” she said.
Ms Roberston said: “We’re an incredibly resilient family — we’ll just keep on coming”.
For information, visit transcendsupport.com.au