Activist and actress Georgie Stone calls on greater protections, funding for trans youth

The activist and actress says allies and politicians needed to do more than simply walk in parades, and has shared three key things she thinks will save lives.

Transgender rights advocate Georgie Stone has called for stronger anti-vilification laws, as she described the last month as having been “incredibly traumatic”.

The 22-year-old “Neighbours” star and writer used her address to the National Press Club on Tuesday to deliver a galvanising call to arms, making pleas to trans-allies and politicians alike to do more than simply walk in Pride parades.

At 10, Ms Stone became the youngest person in Australia to receive hormone blockers – setting a precedent that would go on to change the law around how young people access the first phase of gender-affirming treatment.

After recalling traumatic incidents from her childhood – including the long journey it had taken her and her family to access her “lifesaving” healthcare – Ms Stone said trans people were still today fighting for the right to have decision-making powers over their own body.

In the wake of increased anti-trans sentiment, she criticised the lack of laws that protect vulnerable people, especially trans people, from hate speech.

Georgie Stone became the youngest person to address the National Press Club on Tuesday. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“Biological sex campaigner” Posie Parker’s speaking tour during the last month, which featured rallies joined by neo-Nazis was described by Ms Stone as having made, her, and the trans community, “genuinely fearful” for their safety.

“The truth is, I’m tired of feeling targeted. I am tired of going to sleep at night, worried about what hateful, horrible messages I will wake up to,” she said.

“This last month has been a taste of what has been happening to trans people here and around the world.

“I just want to live my life free from harassment and abuse. To live in peace. But it’s hard to live in peace in a world that wants you to disappear.”

Ms Stone is the first transgender person to play a long-running trans character in an Australian television show. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

She said Australia needed to do better, because too many vulnerable trans children were still falling between the cracks – and politicians could not remain silent.

“I call on our political leaders, our law and policy makers, community leaders and our nation to stand with trans people by supporting the following calls to action,” she said.

“First, we need increased funding for family support organisations that are working to protect and uplift families of trans youth who are distressed and under attack.

“Second, we need to ensure and protect access to lifesaving gender-affirming healthcare for trans, gender diverse and non-binary young people.

“Third, we need to extend legal protections to stop the harmful spread of misinformation, vilification and hate speech to further protect vulnerable LGBTIAQ+ communities.”

She said she “absolutely” wanted to see legislation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns walked in this year’s Mardi Gras parade. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Holding back tears, she said she had been “fighting her own life” to justify her existence and to be heard and seen.

She called on allies to shoulder more of the burden, pleading with them to not just leave “Pride” on Oxford St.

“This weight that we’re carrying is crushing and relentless,” she said.

“We need our allies to shoulder some of the burden. Because you can’t celebrate with us at World Pride and then scatter when the attacks come.

“If you want the pride and the glitter and the confetti, you also have to stand with us when it’s uncomfortable and scary, too.”