Trans mob

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this story contains the image and name of a person who has passed away.


Please note: As part of TransHub expanding Nationally, we will be undergoing a process of collaboration and deep listening with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to expand this page.

For now, this page speaks mostly about Gadigal country – the land where TransHub was developed. Other lands where TransHub was developed include: Dharug, Awabakal and Worimi, Bidjigal, and Widjabul lands.

We pay our respects to the Elders past and present and to extend our respects to any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, especially any Sistergirls and Brotherboys, and trans mob, reading this today.

We acknowledge that the sovereignty of these lands was never ceded.

Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

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 history¹,²,³.  

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. However, these terms are not universal and can be area specific. Trans people are likely part of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.  

Gadigal Country & Trans Mob History

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.⁴  

More history: Anwernekenhe

In 1994 the Anwernekenhe (meaning ‘us mob’ in Arrernte language) conference was held, bringing together 66 gay First Nations men and sistergirls. This historic conference was held at Hamilton Downs, 75km north-west of Alice Springs in Northern Territory from Sunday 31st October to Friday 4th November, 1994. It is believed to be the first forum of its kind to be held anywhere in the world. The attendees made recommendations for AIDs Councils and LGBTQ+ health services working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that are still relevant today and can be read here. 

Community Groups

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.

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 

The 2020 NAIDOC theme – ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’. ACON invited Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQ community members to reflect on what NAIDOC means to them. 

Terms

The following definitions were developed by Tekwabi Giz, who were previously 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 included Sistergirls and Brotherboys; 

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.  

“Back then…they would automatically see that Sistergirl and know she’s a girl, not a boy. So that Sistergirl would go with the women and do women’s dancing and ceremony and all that sort of stuff.” – Brie, Sistergirl 

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.  

“I knew that I had a boy spirit inside…although I did not fully understand the term ‘transgender’” – Kellum, Brotherboy

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. 

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