How We Created Messy: Embracing the Beautiful Complexity of Gender and Sex
The creation of Messy wasn’t just a project—it was a journey. When we set out to develop this resource, our aim was clear: trans and gender diverse folk in Canberra and surrounding regions needed a sexual health resource that actually spoke to them. Far too often, mainstream health campaigns overlook these communities, leaving huge gaps in care. Messy exists to fill those gaps.
Why Messy Was Needed
The idea for Messy was sparked by support from ACT Health under the Healthy Canberra Grants, and Meridian’s aims to reduce the rates of STIs and HIV in underserved communities. With that funding, we set out to create resources for communities often overlooked in sexual health promotion—one for disengaged men who have sex with men, one for lesbian, bisexual and queer women, and one for trans and gender diverse folk. The result for the latter group was Messy.
From the very beginning, we knew that Messy needed to be personal, relatable, and deeply connected to the lived experiences of the community. To achieve that, we hosted focus groups and photoshoots with Canberra-based trans and gender diverse folk, listening to their stories and challenges when it came to accessing sexual health information, and celebrating their sexuality. Our community models were captured by a local boudoir photographer, Holly as they celebrated what made them feel sexy. Our shoots were inspired by the rawness and beauty captured by Morgan Carpenter for Grunt, a sexual health resource for trans MSM living in Australia, created by Pash.tm, and supported by Health Equity Matters (formerly AFAO).
What the Community Told Us
The focus groups revealed a reality that many of us already knew. Mainstream health campaigns simply weren’t addressing the specific needs of trans and gender diverse bodies. As a result, many people turned to social platforms like YouTube or Reddit, where they could find personal stories and advice shared by others in the community. While these platforms offer some value, they also highlighted a lack of accessible, reliable sexual health information designed specifically for trans and gender diverse folk.
We wanted Messy to provide the kind of information people were seeking, accompanied by the valuable lived experiences from the community. That’s why we integrated @messyvoices—real quotes and stories from trans and gender diverse folk—throughout the resource, keeping the tone conversational and authentic.
Why We Called It Messy
The name Messy didn’t come easily. In fact, it was one of the most difficult parts of the project. We needed a name that wasn’t too obvious but still reflected the essence of what the resource was about.
The idea for Messy came up during one of our many brainstorming sessions. As we discussed how complex it was to capture experiences like dysphoria or the intersection of sex and gender in simple language, someone pointed out that it was all just… messy. And then it clicked: sex is messy. Gender is messy. Both are fluid, complex, and sometimes awkward, but they’re also joyful, curious, and filled with exploration. The name Messy felt like the perfect way to capture the beauty and intricacy of both gender and sex.
The Power of Community-Led Resources
One of the things we’re most proud of with Messy is how deeply it’s rooted in the community. Working in collaboration with A Gender Agenda, we ensured that every part of the resource was shaped by the voices of trans and gender diverse folk. We wanted the language to be simple and accessible, while still allowing room for nuance around the complexities of gender and sexual health.
We also worked hard to ensure that Messy felt validating for everyone. There’s no single story for trans and gender diverse folk, and we wanted to reflect that diversity in the language we used.
What Messy Means for Sexual Health
At its core, Messy is about empowerment. It’s about offering trans and gender diverse folk the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. But it’s also about celebration—about celebrating the diversity of bodies, experiences, and identities within the community.
While Messy was created for trans and gender diverse folk, we also believe it can be a valuable resource for anyone curious about sexual health. The lessons in Messy—about the importance of creativity, embodiment, and exploration in sex—are lessons that everyone, regardless of gender, can benefit from.
Where You Can Find Messy
You can explore everything Messy has to offer by visiting www.messy.org.au. Whether you’re looking for sexual health information, community voices, or simply a new perspective on gender and sex, Messy is there to empower and educate.
Looking Ahead
Messy is just the beginning. We envision it becoming a part of a broader toolkit for sexual health, and we hope to expand and evolve the resource over time. Ultimately, our goal is for Messy to be a place where trans and gender diverse folk—and others—can come to learn, grow, and embrace the messiness of sex and gender with joy and curiosity.
About Meridian
Meridian is a peer-led, community-controlled organisation. Meridian has been championing HIV and LGBTIQA+ health in the Australian Capital Territory for over 40 years. Meridian provides holistic health and social support services, empowering people to live their best lives. Our work centres around three pillars: community, health, and action. Our work is strengths-based, peer-led, and evidence-informed, putting the lived experiences of the communities we champion at the forefront of our work.