Episode 33: Greer McGearey

In this episode, Triana speaks with Greer McGeary, a long-standing community leader, advocate and life member of Seahorse Victoria, the longest continuously operating trans social support group in Australia. A parent, grandparent and great-grandparent, Greer brings a lifetime of experience across public service, small business, community organisations and peer-led spaces. She is also widely respected for her public speaking, including many years of involvement with Toastmasters.

Greer reflects on growing up knowing she was different, long before she had the language to understand why, and on building a full family and working life before later finding peer support through Seahorse Victoria. The conversation is thoughtful and wide-ranging, touching on the importance of community, kindness, dignity and how we treat one another. Greer offers gentle and reassuring advice, drawing on her own experience to speak honestly about fear, acceptance, and the importance of giving yourself time and permission to live openly. This episode references the Victorian Government’s The Unsaid Says a Lot campaign, which focuses on the everyday comments, assumptions and behaviours that can undermine the dignity of trans and gender-diverse people. The campaign encourages greater awareness of how small moments of respect, or lack of it, can have a real impact on people’s sense of safety, belonging and wellbeing. More information can be found here. https://www.vic.gov.au/theunsaid

The episode also references Seahorse Victoria, a peer-led support and social group for trans people that has been operating in Victoria since 1975 and is the longest continuously running organisation of its type in Australia. Founded to provide connection, mutual support and community for trans people across diverse life paths, Seahorse Victoria offers regular meet-ups and social activities that help people build relationships and share lived experience in a welcoming environment. More information can be found here. https://seahorsevic.com.au/

This podcast was produced by JOY Media – Australia’s Rainbow Community Media Organisation. For more information about JOY’s services, visit joy.org.au/services

The post Episode 33: Greer McGearey appeared first on The Latest.