3rd Gender-Affirming Health Forum in Melbourne: Connecting, Learning & Building Community

The Gender-Affirming Health Forum (GAHF) is an immersive, in-person event organized by Facialteam—a leading center in facial gender-affirming care. These forums have already taken place in London (Nov 2024) and Amsterdam, and now, the third edition is arriving in Australia. Held on Sunday, 23 November 2025, in Melbourne, this gathering extends an open, no-cost invitation to trans and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals, their families, allies, and professionals to learn, connect, and grow.

Who Will Be Speaking?

While the full speaker list hasn’t been publicly released, attendees can expect presentations and engagement from Facialteam’s expert surgeons. Notably, Dr. Daniel Simon as well as representatives from Peach Clinics, the main sponsor of the event, will be sharing their know-how for people seeking to streamline their research on transition.

GAHF events are known for bringing together a diverse panel of specialists—including psychologists, allied healthcare providers, and advocates—as seen in the London edition, which featured a team of 13 experts including surgeons and community advocates.

Son Vivienne

Vivienne (they/them) is the CEO of Transgender Victoria, a leading advocacy and wellbeing organization for trans and gender diverse communities. They are a non-binary, neurodivergent parent with a background in media and academia, and the author of four books, most recently Queering Safe Spaces: Being Brave beyond Binaries.

Bronwyn Connolly

Bronwyn (she/her) is the co-founder of Peach Clinics, Australia’s leading provider of permanent hair removal for trans and gender diverse clients, created together with her partner Alice, a trans woman with lived experience. Trained in electrolysis, she provides affirming care, early support, and trusted referrals through clinics in Sydney and Melbourne as part of gender-affirming care pathways.

Dr. Adam Brownhill

Dr. Adam Brownhill is an Australian GP with over 25 years of experience, specialising in gender-affirming healthcare. He founded TG Health Clinic in Melbourne and co-founded NOWBU, a support service guiding patients through their transition journeys. His practice is rooted in collaboration, inclusivity, and patient-led care, with a focus on community-defined priorities.

Ari Heart

Ari Heart (they/them) is a trans non-binary educator, therapist, parent, and Director of Trans Wellbeing, which provides resources and programs to foster authenticity and connection in trans communities. With 15 years of lived experience and a decade of supporting trans clients, Ari has engaged in thousands of conversations with trans people. Through Trans Wellbeing, they focus on equipping parents and professionals who support trans individuals, helping communities thrive.

Atara Lebrasky

Atara Lebransky (she/her) is a certified Speech Pathologist with extensive experience in gender-affirming voice therapy. She is the co-founder of VoiceShift, a voice-training app created for gender diverse communities. Combining innovation with clinical expertise, Atara supports clients in exploring voice as a vital part of identity, safety, and self-expression, working collaboratively to create empowering and sustainable change.

Morgan Podesta

Morgan is the Chair of Switchboard Victoria and a postgraduate psychology student researching family and intimate partner violence. Formerly a solicitor specialising in family law, child safety, and family violence, she has worked extensively with LGBTQIA+ communities and advocated in court for transgender youth seeking gender-affirming care. A proud transgender woman and LGBTQIA+ advocate, Morgan brings both lived experience and professional expertise, and is committed to supporting community access to the best possible care.

Victoria Vera

Victoria Vera is a woman of trans experience whose journey reflects resilience and authenticity. After beginning her career as an interior architect, she found her true calling at Facialteam, where she grew from a social media role into her current position as Communications Executive. Today, she amplifies the voices of trans and gender diverse communities worldwide, standing as an activist and ally committed to visibility, dignity, and change.

Dr. Daniel Simon

Dr. Daniel Simon, DMD, OMFS, is a specialist in facial gender-affirming surgery (FGAS) since 2007 and Co-CEO of Facialteam. A pioneer in the field, he co-founded the world’s first Facial Feminisation Surgery Training Program. Under his leadership, Facialteam has become a global leader in science and innovation, with 30+ peer-reviewed publications (including the 2014 PRS Best Paper Award) and patented FFS methods featuring 3D and AI technologies.

Who Can Attend the Gender Affirming Health Forum?

Such a forum is designed with inclusivity at its core. It’s for:

• Trans and gender-diverse individuals seeking more information about gender-affirming procedures, mental health guidance, and surgical pathways.
  
• Partners, parents, and family members looking to better understand and support their loved ones through transition.
  
• Healthcare professionals—both established and in training—interested in learning about best practices, emerging techniques, and the human-centered approach in gender-affirming care.

What’s the Goal of the Gender Affirming Health Forum?

GAHF represents an empowering intersection of education, advocacy, and community-building:

• It raises visibility around gender-affirming healthcare, which is still under-recognized or under-resourced in many regions.
  
• It provides free, direct access to experienced surgeons, helping attendees to make informed decisions based on reliable, expert advice.
  
• It fosters dialogue between patients, families, and professionals, enabling questions to be asked in safe, supportive environments.
  
• The forum supports reducing disparities in TGD healthcare by empowering people with knowledge and compassionate connection.
  
• It inspires other healthcare providers to adopt inclusive, informed-consent frameworks in their practices.

How can the Gender Affirming Health Forum Help the Community?

For Patients:

• Equip them with clear, evidence-based information.
  
• Empower them to advocate for themselves in medical contexts.
  
• Provide opportunities to speak directly with trusted surgeons.
  

For Partners & Families:

• Offer insights and resources to understand the transition process.
  
• Create space for compassionate conversation and support.
  
• Build confidence in being allies during and after medical journeys.
  

For Professionals:

• Expose them to the latest techniques and compassionate models of care.
  
• Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration between surgery, psychology, and support services.
  
• Highlight the importance of respectful and affirming approaches in healthcare.
  

Secure Your Spot — Limited Spaces Available

The Gender-Affirming Health Forum in Melbourne is free to attend, but spaces are limited to ensure a meaningful and personal experience for everyone.

👉 Reserve your spot today through Facialteam’s official website and secure your place in this important event. 

Don’t miss the chance to connect, learn, and be part of a supportive community on Sunday, 23 November 2025.

Melbourne, Here We Come

On Sunday, 23 November 2025, the Gender-Affirming Health Forum in Melbourne stands as a pivotal moment for connection and education. Whether you’re navigating your own journey, supporting someone else’s, or are a professional eager to learn and serve better—this event is crafted with your needs in mind.

Together, we can build a standard of care that is compassionate, accessible, and empowering for the TGD community and all who support them.

— See you in Melbourne!