Trans Mob

Trans and gender diverse people are ancient.

We have lived, survived and thrived across every human civilisation since the dawn of time and can be traced throughout history1.

First Nations cultures have always recognised and integrated much richer and diverse concepts of gender that expand far beyond the Western concepts of binary cisgender experiences and identities. We have been, and continue to be part of every First Nations population around the world, including in Australia.

First Nations people who are trans in Australia might use the term Sistergirl and Brotherboy. Trans people are likely part of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

The lands of the Eora, the gathering places of Sydney, have also played a big role in bringing Sistergirls and Brotherboys together from across the many countries and nations of Australia to access services and to connect with the broader trans community.

Online spaces are also important and the group Sistergirls and Brotherboys is a strong and active online social and support network for community members and allies to stay connected. Join the group here, there is also a private youth and families group of Sistergirls and Brotherboys. To be added, just send a message to the group admins once you join.

Sistergirls and Brotherboys Group: www.facebook.com/groups/sistergirls.brotherboys

My understanding and acceptance of who and where I come from as an Indigenous Person first and foremost, of the fact that I am descended from the oldest surviving civilisations on Earth. I understand that my people have been through struggle and turmoil. I am able to acknowledge, just 200 hundred plus years old culture as opposed to our survival of 40, 60 or 100,000 years and that I can survive if I chose to, my struggle is a part of a bigger struggle – that is who we are as a race of people

Noongar Sistergirl, Aunty Vanessa, Tekwabi Giz member

Tekwabi Giz is a working group of the National LGBTI Health Alliance and are a “national collaboration of people and organisations from Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander descent who are working with LGBTI people across Australia”. Their working group includes Sistergirls and Brotherboys, and they have developed the following definitions:

Sistergirl is a term used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to describe gender diverse people that have a female spirit and take on female roles within the community. Including looking after children and family. Many Sistergirls live a traditional lifestyle and have strong cultural backgrounds.

Brotherboy is a term used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to describe gender diverse people that have a male spirit and take on male roles within the community. Brotherboys have a strong sense of their cultural identity.

Wiradjuri Brotherboy and TransHub hero Hayden wrote about Sistergirls and Brotherboys, check out what he had to say here.

Note: How the words Sistergirl and Brotherboy are used can differ between locations, countries and nations. These terms may not specifically define who someone is, but might complement identity. Sistergirls and Brotherboys might be non-binary, female or male.

In broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the terms ‘Sistagirl’ and ‘Brothaboy’ are used as terms of endearment, for women and men respectively, with no reference to gender diversity.