Who I Am

In Australia 22.5% of trans and gender diverse youth are Autistic. This can mean they face additional barriers to mental health and medical care, a bleak prospect given 72% of trans youth have experienced depression and/or anxiety. Meanwhile the intersection of trans and Autistic identities is at risk of being used to undermine hard-won trans rights. Already in Australia we have seen opinion pieces in conservative media questioning the validity of Autistic teens identifying as trans. This film will amplify the voices of these youth and build awareness and community support, particularly among young people. It will also give parents, educators and health professionals insight into their unique needs.

“Who I Am” will amplify the voice of trans and Autistic youth and build understanding of their experience among young people, educators, parents and health professionals. In doing so we offer an alternative to fear-driven narratives that undermine their rights. We will galvanise community support, encourage access to much-needed mental health and medical care, and use the film as a call to action to fund and develop targeted resources for this vulnerable group.

Short-term Outcomes
Increased awareness and understanding of trans and Autistic young people
Increased empathy for trans and Autistic young people
Increased knowledge of the prevalence of the trans and Autistic intersection, and their experience of being multiply marginalised

Medium-term Outcomes
Young people treat their trans and Autistic peers kindly
Educators support trans and Autistic students
Parents support their trans and Autistic teen, and provide access to / advocate for appropriate mental health and medical care
Community support for the rights of trans youth
A positive offset to detrimental conservative media commentary

Long-term Outcomes
Improved home and school environments for trans and Autistic teens
Improved mental health outcomes for trans and Autistic teens

The adage “Nothing about us, without us”, was a north star for this project. At every turn we created opportunities for the LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent communities to have a voice both in front of and behind the camera. One of our producers, Cadance Bell, is openly transgender, and brought her insights as both a filmmaker and trans person. I carefully sought a majority of crew who not only excel in their fields but are also LGBTQIA+ and/or neurodivergent, and the film’s bespoke music is complemented by tracks from Australian queer musicians. Throughout the editing process we worked closely with Amaze (an autism support organisation) and the Royal Children Hospital Gender Service and also sought input from filmmakers and activists from the trans and neurodivergent communities. The result is a deeply sensitive and emotive film that brings light to Aether and his family’s experience in a nuanced and respectful way.

1. Talk with friends and family about the film and the challenges faced by trans and Autistic young people
2. Support their trans and Autistic peer / student / child / client in a way that meets their unique needs
3. Support campaigns for transgender rights by signing petitions or making donations
4. Support the development of unique resources and services for trans and Autistic young people by making donations