We are Victoria’s leading body for transgender, gender diverse and non-binary (TGD) people. We are trans-led, working for, by and with trans communities to achieve better social, economic and health outcomes.
We work with and for the trans and gender diverse community to create positive change in human rights and policy development. We represent the community by challenging discrimination, and assist in the empowerment of trans people, so that they may lead full and meaningful lives.
TGV recognises the right of all members of the trans and gender diverse community to equality in all areas of life, including housing, education, work, health services and legal representation.
FY23/24 was our biggest year yet, reaching well over 100,000 people through our advocacy initiatives. Click the link below to download our Impact Report.
Benjie Norman is a Business Strategist and senior leader with extensive experience across higher education, research, business development and commercialisation. She has a proven track record of delivering strategic, commercial, and financial leadership, particularly in developing growth strategies in global markets with a focus on Asia. Benjie’s career has seen her successfully navigate complex industry and government partnerships, strategies development, organsational change, and international development, as well as the establishment of new ventures and M&A deals. Her commitment to social change, business growth and governance is demonstrated through her multiple non-executive directorship roles across diverse sectors, including both profit and non-profit organisations. Her qualifications and professional accreditations include an Advanced Diploma of Tourism Management; Bachelor of Management (major in marketing); Master of Planning (specialisation in urban design); and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Jacob Thomas is an internationally recognised human rights advocate and multi-published researcher, specialising in queer youth. Their research is broadly in the areas of queer health with a particular focus on queering psychology through their PhD at La Trobe University through ARCSHS.Jacob is particularly passionate about queering spaces and places such as building sites, local government, and clinics to ensure practitioners are equipped with the necessary skills to work with and for queer people. They’ve worked in a myriad of fields including not-for profit, charity, higher education, international development, human rights, and government. They’ve been an advisor to the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, UN Girls Education Initiative, and several youth run start-ups. In their spare time Jacob is a baker, lecturer, clothing designer, and drag artist.
Son is proud to have ‘grown into’ their current role as CEO of TGV, having served as Secretary (Volunteer Committee member) and Peer-Support Program Lead. They have a background in film/media production, and research/writing/teaching in academia. They come from white working class roots in far north Queensland and regional South Australia, and they are a staunch ally to have both bio and chosen family with Arrernte and Ngarrindjeri ancestry. Son is neurodiverse, non-binary and a parent to grown and growing kids.Son loves gardening, bees, dogs, growing things and building shelter.
Jax Brown, OAM (he/they) is an esteemed disability and LGBTQIA+ rights activist, writer, educator and consultant. His tireless commitment to LGBTIQA+ disability human rights and advocacy has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). He is proudly trans and proudly disabled and has been on the TGV board for over 4 years. Jax has been running his own business in LGBTIQA+ disability rights and inclusion for over 10 years where he provides sought after guest speaking, education, workshops, training and facilitation for organisations, community members and allies. Jax was the co-chair of Inclusive Rainbow Voices an organisation which advocates for the human rights of all LGBTQIA+ people with disability. Jax has served on the Victorian Disability Advisory Council, Victorian Government’s LGBTI Taskforce Health and Human Services Working Group and the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s Disability Reference Group where he advocated for LGBTQIA+ disability communities. When not being earnest about social change he can be found reading memoirs, watching documentaries and drinking tea from his favourite rainbow mug.
Michelle is an Honorary Enterprise Fellow at the University of Melbourne, a biotechnology professional providing consultancy services to industry and an LGBTIQA+ activist. She joined TGV as a volunteer in 2015 and has been a committee member since 2016. They chair the advocacy subcommittee of TGV.Michelle is a practising Buddhist and has a wife of over 40 years and 2 adult children.
