Channel 7 condemned by more trans people for ‘horrifying’ use of images without permission

Channel 7 has apologised for using photos of a woman without permission in an episode of Spotlight about young transgender people, but they may have a few more apologies to write. See the video which has caused a stir.

Transgender woman Grace Hyland isn’t happy with Channel 7. Picture: Instagram.

Channel 7 has apologised for using photos of a woman without permission in an episode of its Spotlight program about young transgender people, but they may have a few more apologies to write.

Grace Hyland, a transgender woman, was featured in a promotion that billed the program as “the most controversial story of the year”, and alleged that children were being pressured to “change from boy to girl or girl to boy”.

The social media personality also queried whether her photos had been included because her father, actor Mat Stevenson, “was on Home and Away back in the day”.

The show claimed thousands of children as young as 12 are transitioning and regretting it, and being pressured to do so by activists and medical professionals, without citing recent local data on this.

The social media personality also queried whether her photos had been included because her father, actor Mat Stevenson , “was on Home and Away back in the day”. Picture: Instagram.

Grace Elizabeth Stevenson, known professionally as Grace Hyland, is an Australian internet personality and LGBTQ rights activist. Hyland rose to prominence on the social media platform TikTok, and has also amassed a large following on Instagram and OnlyFans. Picture: Instagram.

In Australia, gender-affirming surgery is essentially not available to people under 18 according to the Royal Children’s Hospitals guidelines.

Children are not able to access gender-affirming treatment, such as puberty blockers and hormonal interventions, without the consent of both parents.

Hyland said “Channel 7 made it look like I kinda regret transitioning” by using old images of her before and after transitioning, which she did not give consent for them to use.

“Transitioning as a child is not how Channel 7 is making it out to be. My care by the Royal Children’s Hospital was held with the utmost diligence and I am forever [grateful]. Stop using my medical history as a way to push your political agenda,” she wrote on Instagram.

“Gender affirming healthcare in Australia needs more funding, it doesn’t need this negativity,” she said.

“And even though my face is in this, I don’t agree with it, I don’t stand for this story, I don’t stand for the sensationalism of this whole thing.”

After Hyland spoke out about her images being used to promote the episode, which she wasn’t a part of, Channel 7 issued an apology to her and uploaded new adverts that didn’t feature her.

“We acknowledge the photo might inadvertently imply that the individual in question regretted their transition. As soon as we were made aware, the image was removed and the promo replaced. We sincerely apologise for any confusion this may have caused,” a Channel 7 spokesperson said.

A petition by non-binary musician St. South (Olivia Gavranich) pictured, calling for Channel 7's 'De-Transitioning' to be pulled from social media and streaming services has garnered 32,000 signatures in two days. Picture: Instagram

“I was absolutely horrified, deeply hurt, and anxious to discover one of my post top-surgery videos (expressing how much better my life is because of surgery) included in this segment without my consent,” Australian musician St. South (Olivia Gavranich) said. Picture: Instagram.

However the hot water has continued to rise above the Plimsoll line, with other trans folk featured in the documentary realising their images were also used without consent.

“I was absolutely horrified, deeply hurt, and anxious to discover one of my post top-surgery videos (expressing how much better my life is because of surgery) included in this segment without my consent,” Australian musician St. South (Olivia Gavranich) said in a video shared to Instagram.

@stsouthmusic Link in bio to sign the petition 🏳️‍⚧️ #transrights#nonbinary#genderaffirmingcare#genderaffirmingsurgery#topsurgery#lgbtqia#lgbt#transnonbinary#7news♬ original sound - St. South

Gavranich posted a petition on Tuesday calling for the program’s complete removal from social media and streaming platforms. The petition has garnered 32,000 signatures in just two days.

“Sharing these videos without the consent of the creators is not only deeply unethical, but immensely harmful to the trans community,” Gavranich said.

Canadian musician Levi Ace Day’s photos were also used.

“Just wanted to say for the record that obviously I don’t support [Channel 7’s] opinion,” he said in a TikTok.

“Nobody is convincing kids to be trans and change their gender. The story also implies that I’m a child who regrets transitioning, and I am 27. I did not realise I was trans until I was at least 23,” he added, noting in the caption that he “doesn’t regret it.”