A transgender woman living in Mount Isa has won Queensland Rural Trans Activist of the Year, for breaking down stigma in the North West.
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Emily Wells, has been recognised for improving the way the Transgender, Gender Diverse and Non-Binary communities are viewed in remote communities while supporting other transgender persons.
The announcement was made during Trans Awareness Week on November 15 through a live virtual presentation ceremony.
"I had a few friends around home and we watched the awards live on the internet, it was a pleasant surprise when it was announced I had won," Ms Wells said.
"The award is in recognition of the work I have done in the regional community in regards to raising awareness of transgender people and our issues.
"I was ecstatic, it's a great honour to win as it's the inaugural rural award. It's the first time they have had a Rural Transgender Activist Award, so it's unreal and great for Mount Isa."
Ms Wells did not know who nominated her for the award, but said she would use her success too address the issues that transgender people face in regional and remote communities.
"We have different issues in regional areas to those in the city, like community acknowledgement, acceptance and access to services," she said.
"This award creates an opportunity for me to promote more about regional transgender awareness issues and hopefully educate the community about transgender people.
"There are still people who have never met a trans person before, let alone understand who we are, what barriers we face and what we need to function well in society. So I hope to get around and enlighten a few more people in regional areas and not just the North West.
"I would also like to see Mount Isa City Council flying the transgender flag during Trans Awareness Week."
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