Subtitle
Five trans performers navigate gender, legality and survival

Trans people have always existed, yet in recent years, their identities have become politicised, exoticised, and—far too often—weaponised in cultural...

Law and Life: Transgender Stories

Location:

Pier 2/3
13A Hickson Rd
2000 NSW
Australia

Venue:
ATYP, The Rebel Theatre
By Les Girls official photographer Margo Thatcher
By Les Girls official photographer Margo Thatcher

Featuring

Vonnie headshot

Vonni

An icon of Kings Cross nightlife, Vonni rose to fame performing with Les Girls before managing Australia’s longest-running strip show, Crazy Horse Revue, for 17 years. In 2022 she starred in Trevor Ashley’s production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, becoming the first trans woman in Australia to be cast in the leading role.

Charley headshot

Charley Allanah

A theatre director, playwright, and producer, Charley is the co-founder of House of Sand and Co-Chair of MEAA’s Entertainment Diversity Committee. Her work spans the performing arts and access services and she also operates as an intimate somatic care provider.

Katie Green headshot

Katie Green

Katie Green is a solicitor and CEO of the Inner City Legal Centre, which offers the only specialist legal service for sex workers and LGBTQIA+ communities in NSW. With a background in theatre and law, she is passionate about using performance and advocacy to challenge outdated legal and social frameworks.

Norrie headshot

norrie mAy-welby

In 2014, norrie mAy-welby made Australian legal history by securing the right to be recognised as neither male nor female. A lifelong activist for gender diversity, norrie has fought for equality since the 1970s, working across LGBTQIA+ rights, arts, and legal reform. They also play the baritone ukulele at church every Sunday.

Jeremy headshot

Jeremy Moineau

An actress, advocate, and DEI policy leader, Jeremy Moineau has walked the catwalks of NYC and stood at the White House for trans rights. Now shaping corporate inclusivity policies, she brings a sharp, stylish and fearless perspective to every space she enters.

Kavitha headshot

Kavitha Savisamy

Kavitha is a lawyer and director of Justice Q, a specialist legal service for LGBTQIA+ communities. A true triple threat, she brings her talents in singing, dancing, and acting to her work, proving advocacy can be as powerful onstage as it is in the courtroom.

Event Details

Trans people have always existed, yet in recent years, their identities have become politicised, exoticised, and—far too often—weaponised in cultural debates. Law & Life: Transgender Stories hands the mic and spotlight back to trans voices, with a night of storytelling and personal performance.

Presented by the Inner City Legal Centre, the people who brought you last year’s sold-out Sex Work: A Legal and Social History, this powerful event brings together five trans storytellers and one lifelong ally to share their lived experiences—navigating gender, identity, legality and survival. 

For a lot of trans people, the core of survival in a system stacked against them is creativity—so expect pageantry, song and outside-the-box-and-binary expression. Beyond the camp and colour though, this evening lays bare an important and necessary conversation. We must face up to the discrimination embedded in our culture and law, its human impact and what can be done to create a better, more inclusive world.

Imagery supplied by Vonni.

“These photos are of a more glamorous part of my life, all taken by Les Girls official photographer Margo Thatcher. The aspects of my life that weren’t captured on film were the times I was thrown in the back of a paddy wagon or assaulted. It is so important that we tell those stories as part of our history as well.”

 

Recommended for ages 18+

Access and Inclusion

  • Companion Card Acceptance Companion Card Acceptance - The Companion Card is for people with a significant permanent disability, who always need a companion to provide attendant care type support in order to participate at most available community venues and activities.
  • Hearing Loop Hearing Loop - A hearing loop (sometimes called an audio induction loop) is a special type of sound system for use by people with hearing aids. The hearing loop provides a magnetic, wireless signal that is picked up by the hearing aid when it is set to 'T' (Telecoil) setting. Many venues have an induction hearing loop system. Check if your venue has this system.
  • Wheelchair Accessible Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.

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