'Shout to be treated with respect, dignity'

My community.

In the past 12 months alone, 331 trans people have been reported killed worldwide.

Since 2008 there have been more than 3300 trans and gender diverse people killed.

These numbers are likely to be gross underestimates, as many killings go unreported, occur in undocumented individuals, or the individual is not identified as trans.

Whilst many of these killings occur overseas in areas like South America, being trans in Australia is still dangerous.

Ninety per cent of transwomen in Australia have experienced verbal abuse.

Almost 50 per cent have experienced physical abuse.

The first thing I do when I go into a bar or other public social space is I scan the room to assess who is most likely to attack me if they find out I am trans.

I'm not a "gender whisperer".

I'm a gender shouter.

I will shout the names of trans people killed by violence.

I will shout for the rights of trans people to be treated with respect and dignity. I will shout until I can no longer speak because if all I lose is my voice then it is a cheap price to pay for my trans and gender diverse siblings to be safe.

My name is Kate Toyer.

I have lived in Batemans Bay for more than 23 years.

I am a veterinarian, a dad, a wife, a friend.

I am a transwoman.

Today I will be remembering my trans siblings who were killed for no reason other than being true to themselves.

And I will be hoping and praying that our society can change so that trans people are not treated with fear and ignorance, but are celebrated with love and acceptance.