AYSHA

Transgender people are facing increasing levels of discrimination and violence from neo-Nazi
and far-right groups. In fact transgender individuals are disproportionately affected by hate
crimes, with 44% experiencing some form of bias-motivated violence in their lifetimes (National
Center for Transgender Equality). This documentary follows the journey of Melbourne drag
performer Aysha as she undergoes gender-affirming surgery highlighting the courage,
vulnerability, and resilience needed to stand proud in a world that often rejects those who are
different. It sheds light on the significance of gender-affirming surgeries to promote empathy,
support, and inclusivity. With recent clashes between anti-transgender and pro-transgender
rights activists outside Victoria’s parliament, 44 trans people murdered in the US in 2021 alone
and a surge in anti-trans legislation across several countries, Aysha’ is a powerful reminder of
the importance of LGBTQIA+ rights.

Our impact vision for ‘Aysha’ is to increase awareness and understanding of the struggles
faced by transgender individuals, promote empathy and support, and inspire positive
change in policies and attitudes towards trans people and the wider LGBTQIA+ community.
Through this documentary and our outreach efforts, we aim to empower individuals to
embrace their true selves and stand in solidarity with marginalised communities, ultimately
leading to a more inclusive and accepting society.

Our documentary ‘Aysha’ aims to inspire and empower our audience to take action towards social justice and equality for the trans community. We will provide educational guides, targeted screenings, and social media strategies to amplify our message and establish partnerships with organisations that share our goals. Through these activities, we hope to encourage people to speak out against discrimination, support policies that promote inclusion, and take action towards greater acceptance. Given the ongoing threat to Aysha’s safety and the rise of anti-trans sentiment, we will capture footage of anti-trans demonstrations and utilise archival news footage to highlight the struggles and discrimination faced by the trans community. Our goal is to promote empathy, support, and a more inclusive society.

We have partnerships with organisations in the transgender advocacy and healthcare
spaces, including local LGBTQIA+ groups and national organisations. These partnerships
are invaluable in shaping our project’s development by providing expertise on the issues
facing the transgender community and offering guidance on how to best reach our target
audience. Additionally, we are working closely with medical professionals who will provide
expert opinions on transgender healthcare and treatment options. As an active member of
the trans community, Aysha herself is also an expert on the subject matter and provides
valuable insights into the experiences of transgender individuals. Our relationship with the
ABC will hopefully also give us access to their extensive network, enabling us to reach a
wider audience and make a greater impact.

“Aysha” hopes that viewers will take action to promote greater acceptance, understanding,
and social justice for the trans community. Specifically, “Aysha” encourages viewers to
speak out against discrimination, support policies and initiatives that promote inclusion
and acceptance for all, and advocate for the human rights of the trans community by:
1. Signing a petition: We will encourage viewers to sign a petition calling for increased
protections and rights for the trans community, as well as urging governments to
take action against anti-trans discrimination and violence.
2. Hosting a screening and starting a conversation: We will encourage viewers to host
their own screenings of the documentary and use it as a starting point for a
conversation about trans rights and issues. This can be done with friends, family,
colleagues, or in their local community, and can help raise awareness and create a
supportive network.
3. Donating to organisations supporting the trans community: