Michelle McNamara, Transgender Victoria’s treasurer, said the flag’s horizontally striped, symmetrical design meant it couldn’t be flown upside down, which is often seen as a symbol of distress. Its creator instead wanted it to be inclusive and proud symbol, she said.

“It’s quite an important thing for our community to be recognised and be visible. Often transgender people are quite invisible and may choose on many occasions to remain so for their safety. We witnessed the nasty demonstration that we had at the weekend. It was truly, truly horrible,” McNamara said.

McNamara said the day is a celebration of trans people in contrast to the sombre Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, which commemorates victims of anti-trans violence.

A world-first inquiry into LGBTQ hate crimes is currently underway in NSW and is examining dozens of deaths. A report found at least 32 transgender and gender-nonconforming people had been killed in the United States in 2022 by mid-November. In Australia, almost one in two trans young people had attempted suicide – a rate 20 times the national average – according to a 2017 survey.

Meanwhile, the progress pride flag – which will permanently fly on Spring Street near the Treasury building – incorporates the trans flag colours and shades of brown and black in a triangular pattern atop the edge of the rainbow pride flag.

“[It’s] meant to incorporate the entire LGBTIQA+community and also specifically represent people of colour within our community and anti-racism,” Fabry-Jenkins, from the Pride Lobby, said.

The premier said the rainbow pride flag will be flown at different times throughout the years, such as during Pride Month.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the trans flag addition was “quite a small thing that we can do, but it’s a very powerful thing”.

Georgie Crozier, state Liberal leader in the upper house, declined to comment on the addition of the trans flag outside the government offices, except that it was a “matter for the government”.

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Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam welcomed the flag after Saturday’s protests.

City of Melbourne deputy mayor Nicholas Reece said on 3AW the city’s town hall was lit up in the trans flag colours on Tuesday night to show support for Melbourne’s trans community.

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