This report details the diverse experiences of young individuals in Australia, focusing on journeys related to cultural identity after displacement, challenges posed by homelessness and subsequent community efforts, and the pursuit of transgender identity and advocacy. These narratives highlight personal resilience, the search for belonging, and initiatives aimed at supporting youth across various circumstances.
Cultural Identity and Displacement: Zein's Journey
Zein, a 17-year-old first-generation Australian, discusses her dual cultural identity, having relocated from Syria as a child. She maintains connections to her Syrian heritage through memories and weekly conversations with her grandfather.
Departure from Syria and Time in Iraq
Zein, her mother, and father departed Syria at the onset of the civil war. Key events during their departure included a bomb landing near her father's workplace in Aleppo and experiencing air raids. Her father left earlier due to a perceived risk of kidnapping associated with his profession.
During their bus journey across the border, her mother instructed her to remain silent. Their bus was reported as the last official one to leave, with the bus immediately following theirs exploding after crossing the Syrian border. The family resided in Iraq from 2012 to 2016, where her parents worked as freelance doctors and experienced financial difficulties, which Zein later recognized as a source of stress for them.
Relocation to Australia and Integration Challenges
The decision to move to Australia was made abruptly due to escalating conflict in the Middle East. Australia provided a safe environment, leading to a reduction in her parents' anxiety. Zein encountered challenges integrating her Arabic lifestyle with her new Australian friends. The family prioritized learning English for work and school, which contributed to Zein losing proficiency in Arabic. Initially, she avoided displaying her Arabic culture to friends, requesting her mother to prepare Australian food when guests visited.
Embracing Dual Identity
With encouragement from her English teachers, Zein began to integrate both her Syrian and Australian identities.
"Neglecting one culture can lead to resentment."
She connects with her Syrian past by reviewing video diaries her grandfather made in Syria and identifying elements in Australia, such as the smell of jasmine and the sight of rose bushes, that remind her of home.
Youth Homelessness and Community Initiatives
Official data indicates that individuals aged 12-24 constitute nearly a quarter of the reported homeless population in Australia. In the 2024-25 period, 43,226 people under 25 sought homelessness support. Family violence, housing crises, and poverty are identified as primary contributing factors. It is suggested that the actual number of young people experiencing homelessness may be higher due to under-reporting.
Kesh Fernandez's Experience and Haven22
Kesh Fernandez experienced homelessness after leaving an unsafe home, moving between four residences over six months. During his final year of high school, he slept on couches and covered minimal rent through casual work. His priorities shifted to financial stability, impacting aspects of his teenage life, including the pursuit of music. Kesh reported daily stress concerning potential displacement due to landlord changes or insufficient rent. He sought support through counselling hotlines and subsequently co-founded Haven22 with Jules Gabor.
Haven22 provides a platform for young people in Darwin to engage in art production and storytelling. The organization has hosted events such as queer proms, theatre performances, and youth gigs, addressing a recognized need for youth participation in the local arts scene.
Kesh views Haven22 as a source of stability and purpose.
Raiyn's Experience
Raiyn's family lost their home to bushfires in 2019. Following this, she experienced couch-surfing, house-hopping, and extended periods in a motel. She described living in a cramped motel room with limited facilities and relying on school food for meals. Raiyn reported experiencing anger and isolation due to her circumstances, perceiving a lack of understanding from others.
Current Efforts and Future Aspirations
Kesh states that he continues to experience the feeling of being homeless despite having a place to stay, emphasizing the importance of community as a motivator for Haven22's creation. Raiyn, currently 17, reflects on her six years of homelessness. She aims to pursue university education and travel abroad, expressing a determination to live her desired life and prevent homelessness from defining her future.
Transgender Identity and Advocacy: Kaz's Story
On International Trans Day of Visibility, 17-year-old Kaz shared his experiences.
"This is who I am. And if you don't like it, then that's your problem."
Kaz, who resides in Bunbury, Western Australia, has interests including graphic design and drawing.
Early Experiences and Challenges
Kaz reported that only a few years prior, he faced significant challenges, including frequent school absences, illness, depression, and a suicide attempt. He attributed these struggles to the impact of transphobia. His childhood was described as typical until puberty, when he began to feel a growing sense of difference as his male peers underwent physical changes. Around year seven, he experienced gender dysphoria, becoming uncomfortable in female school uniforms and starting to wear shorts. He found a sense of community by discovering other trans individuals through social media. Cutting his hair short contributed to his self-confidence and feeling of authenticity.
School Environment and Support
At his Christian school, Kaz reported experiencing slurs from peers after cutting his hair. He estimated that few teachers were not religious, and most did not intervene in the bullying. He perceived an atmosphere of homophobia and transphobia, suggesting that teachers' beliefs prevented them from taking action. These experiences reportedly impacted his health, intensifying his depression and causing stress-induced illness that led to significant school absences. The situation escalated to a point where he attempted suicide, describing a sense of hopelessness and a lack of support. He viewed therapy and medication as temporary solutions.
Studies in Australia indicate that over two-thirds of trans children report feeling unsafe or uncomfortable in educational environments. Additionally, surveys show that one in four LGBTQIA+ youth lack safe adults or teachers to confide in. Kaz's family provided support, assisting him through changes to his name, clothing, and pronouns. His mother, Aleisha, described their journey as a series of "gradual changes," emphasizing their commitment to supporting Kaz.
Kaz later transferred to a new school, where the environment was supportive. This school observed Pride Month, and teachers consistently used his correct name and pronouns. He also developed a community of like-minded friends.
Advocacy and Healthcare Access
Kaz acknowledged the common sentiment that circumstances improve over time. He expressed skepticism that stronger anti-bullying policies would be effective in his former school due to religious exemptions.
His primary wish is for trans individuals to be treated without distinction, stating, "I'm really no different to anyone else. It's just I've had a different life experience." He also asserted that being trans is not a political issue.
Recent legislative actions in Queensland and the Northern Territory have restricted public health system access to puberty blockers for children and adolescents. Queensland's former health minister described the move as an an "ideological decision."
Kaz believes education and advocacy can address misconceptions about gender-affirming care, clarifying that it is not exclusive to trans individuals and can include procedures like breast reductions. He found Perth's gender diversity clinic to be a significant resource, despite its long waitlist and distance (170km from his home). He advocates for more specialist healthcare centers for LGBTQIA+ youth across Australia, citing the reported high number of LGBTQIA+ youth facing oppression and the frequent lack of funding for these services. Kaz's experiences have reportedly prompted some of his friends to come out as trans.
He offers advice not to internalize a lack of understanding from others and affirms the validity of one's identity.