This week, Ruby and James chats to one of our favourite people, Michelle Sheppard, a fantastic social justice advocate, fighting for trans rights, recognition and diversity. Michelle has a massive amount of experience with activism and advocacy and is one of the prominent fig
ures for trans activism in Australia.
Michelle is also the founder of Bulldog Pride, working to make the AFL a more inclusive space for queer supporters. We also have our intern John in the studio to talk to us about some of their experiences and musing on the Latex/rubber scene.
We talk about some of the amazing work being done to centre trans individuals and communities, as well as some of the trans specific issues within society. We also talk about some of the issues regarding masculinity from a trans perspective, the need to have safe spaces for marginalised communities and how queer spaces can become exclusionary.
https://joy.org.au/triplebipass/
Originally published on:
https://joy.org.au/triplebipass/2018/03/11/trans-activism-community-involvement-and-safe-spaces-with-michelle-sheppard/
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Michelle's powerful combination of self and community shines through the platform of radio which has helped raised the public profile and national dialogue of transgender, gender diverse and intersex issues on a national scale.
Surprisingly nothing is off limits with Michelle who connects with her audience brilliantly; obviously through her humor and unapologetic blunt honesty.
She is often labelled as an inspiring advocate and role model for youth and adults alike and hers is a powerful story to tell.
We know that when a woman has the support of her community, especially her sisters, she is unstoppable. Michelle’s wider support from the women around her, LGBTI+ or ally alike, has helped develop her own unstoppable resilience and body positive confidence that she inspires others with.
Now a sought-after public speaker Michelle is admired for her bold public representation of the Transgender community as works to break through the barriers of unconscious bias, cultural and structural issues to ensure equality of opportunity for all Australian work spaces.
Winner of the ANZ Excellence in Business Award, ‘LGBTI Jobs’ a relatively new project, they pair LGBTI graduates and jobseekers to companies that embrace inclusion initiatives. “We’ve started a business that helps anybody who’s in the LGBTI Community. We go to companies and see what they are you doing. This isn’t just for me, this is for the entire community and we are going to make a massive change.”
Michelle was recently celebrated alongside some truly amazing individuals from our community as part of the ‘The LOTL Power List 2016’ as someone who does everything in their power to make life that little bit better for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities: sometimes with blood, sweat and tears; and sometimes just by being themselves.
Michelle is also a finalist for ‘MTV – LGBTI Broadcaster and Presenter’ in the Australian LGBTI Awards 2017.
Awards
Globe Awards 2016 - ANZ Excellence in Business Award
The LOTL Power List 2016 (28/40)
Finalist for ‘MTV – LGBTI Broadcaster and Presenter’ in the Australian LGBTI Awards 2017
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Michelle Sheppard 