Meet The 24 Finalists For The 2026 Trans Visibility Awards

Transgender Victoria (TGV) has announced the 24 finalists for the 2026 Trans Visibility Awards. The awards, which have returned for their third year, aim to celebrate transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary leaders and carers who are making an impact in communities across Victoria.

This year’s awards are recognising the achievements of stellar individuals across eight award categories: Regional Star, Creative Excellence, Changemaker, Most Influential, Unsung Hero, Young Leader, Sporting Icon, and Legacy.

“Every one of these finalists shows what our communities make possible,” said Jack Khouri, Deputy CEO of Transgender Victoria. “They are psychologists and personal trainers, artists and researchers, community service workers and coaches, and elders who have been showing up for trans people for decades. 

“We are so proud to celebrate them, and we can’t wait to honour them all together at the Gender Revel Gala in November.” 

The 2026 Trans Visibility Awards Finalists

First up we have the Regional Star Award, recognising someone living regionally who has had a positive impact in their local community. 

The finalists for this award are: Leroy Maronian (he/they), a queer trans masc psychologist based in Geelong; Maddie Sumner (she/her), a proud transgender woman and youth group facilitator; and LGBTIQA+ advocate, Angela Wiebenga (she/her), who is being honoured posthumously.

Our second group of finalists are in the running for the Creative Excellence Award, which honours a performer, artist, or ensemble that has made significant contributions to the arts.

The finalists for this award are: The House of DIESEL, a trailblazing Naarm-based Ballroom house founded in February 2024; Harry Lloyd (they, them), a trans-masc, non-binary writer and director; and Noa Wolf Smith Fletcher (they/them), a non-binary documentary photographer, artist, and curator.

Next up is the Changemaker Award, honouring a person, project, or community group that has made a substantial impact in facilitating social connection.

The finalists for this award are: Nic Radoll (they/them), a proud Anaiwan trans leader; Budi Sudarto (they/them), a non-binary, queer, Muslim sexual health researcher from Indonesia; and Aria Villero (she/her), a Filipina femme queen leader and facilitator within Naarm’s ballroom scene. 

Meanwhile the Most Influential Award is honouring another group of finalists, and will be bestowed upon spokesperson, media personality, influencer, or any individual who has made a positive contribution to social narratives about trans people.

The finalists for this award are: Johanna Browne (she/her), a human rights advocate and secular activist, Ari Heart (they/them), a therapist turned trans educator; and Leta Taylor (she/her), a nail artist and content creator from Aotearoa, New Zealand.

As for our fifth group of finalists, they are in the running for the Unsung Hero Award, which recognises a dedicated volunteer or community member who works behind the scenes to give back to trans communities.

The finalists for this award are: T Edgell-Hall (she/they), a proud disabled and neurodivergent community advocate; Babi Rani Poudel (she/her), a trans woman, chef, community support worker, and writer from western Nepal; and Shei Udeagu (they/them), a Black, transmasculine, non-binary Specialist Family Violence Practitioner who is being honoured posthumously.

Next up we have the Young Leader Award, honouring a trans person aged 18 to 30 who has demonstrated exceptional leadership within their community or field.

The finalists for this award are: Connor Bayly-Jones (he/him), a trans man and postdoctoral researcher at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre; James Bush (he/him), a queer trans man and the current Vice President for the Gippsland Pride Initiative; and Luka Ritter (he/they), a queer transmasculine Occupational Therapist. 

Otherwise, new in 2026 is the Sporting Icon Award, which will honour a standout trans sportsperson who is a role model both on and off the field.

The finalists in this category are: Ty Aster (they/he), a personal trainer and online coach, Kylie Collins (she/her), a passionate South Gippsland sportswoman excelling in both golf and cricket; and Sam Dengate (he/him), founder and head coach of T Gen Gyms, a trans-led and operated gym service in Coburg, Naarm.

As for our final category, we have the Legacy Award, set to honour a trans person aged 55 or above who has shown lifelong dedication, resilience, and leadership within their communities.

The finalists in this category are: Andrew Eklund (he/him), a lifelong advocate for trans and gender diverse people; Greer McGearey (she/her), a Life Member of Seahorse Victoria, the longest continuously functioning trans social support group in Victoria; and Julie Peters (she/they), a researcher and political advocate for trans rights.

Winners To Be Announced

Winners in all eight categories will be announced at the Gender Revel Gala on Saturday 28 November 2026 at The Substation, Newport. The Gala is a highlight of Trans Month, a month-long celebration of trans, gender diverse and non-binary communities running from 1 to 30 November.

Tickets to the Gender Revel Gala are on sale now at https://events.humanitix.com/gender-revel-gala-2026