LGBTIQA+ People, Families and Communities
Council has a strong record of inclusion, equality and pride in the diversity of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, allied or asexual (LGBTIQA+) people.
Council's four year plan, Council Plan 2021-2025 outlines our vision for the municipality as:
“An inclusive, flourishing, progressive city that cares for its residents and its environments”.
The Council Plan identifies the priorities and aspirations to strengthen inclusion and cohesion within the community by removing barriers to participation in all aspects of community life. This includes the LGBTIQA+ people, families and communities.
LGBTIQA+ Strategy and Action Plan
A key action under the Council Plan is to consider the needs and lived experience of LGBTIQA+ people, families and communities in the City of Maribyrnong by developing a LGBTIQA+ Strategy and Action Plan 2021- 2026.
The aim of the Strategy and Action Plan is to reinforce Council’s commitment to LGBTIQA+ people, families and communities, and to identify actions for strengthening social and economic inclusion and reducing barriers to their participation in the City.
On Tuesday 18 October 2022 Council endorsed the LGBTIQA+ Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2026.
The Strategy and Action Plan outlines Council’s work with LGBTIQA+ people in the City of Maribyrnong and promotes more opportunities for engagement, support, advocacy and partnerships.
Council will continue engaging and consulting with key stakeholders, groups and networks in the City of Maribyrnong to implement the Action Plan over the next 4 years.
The document is available to be downloaded via:
LGBTIQA+ Community Report Card
The LGBTIQA+ Community Report Card 2022-2023 informs the community of how Council is implementing the actions in the LGBTIQA+ Strategy & Action Plan 2022-2026. The document is available to be downloaded via:
LGBTIQA+ Community Advisory Group
On 16 November 2021 Council established the LGBTIQA+ Community Advisory Group (the Advisory Group) to enable a process for engagement with members of the LGBTIQA+ and Maribyrnong community.
The Terms of Reference endorsed by Council outline the purpose and objectives of the Advisory Group.
Purpose
The purpose of the Advisory Group is to advise Council on the needs and lived experience of people who identify as, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, or asexual (LGBTIQA+) in Maribyrnong.
Objectives
The Advisory Group's objectives include:
- To inform Council on the emerging needs, issues and barriers facing LGBTIQA+ people in Maribyrnong.
- To consider and provide advice to Council on key initiatives, programs and best practice options on culturally safe and inclusive actions that address the needs of LGBTIQA+ people, families and communities.
- To work directly with Council to develop, implement and review the LGBTIQA+ Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2025.
- To support Council’s commitment in promoting and advocating for equality, inclusion, diversity and human rights of the LGBTQIA+ people within the wider context of the Maribyrnong community.
Frequency of Meetings
The Advisory Group will hold a minimum of three meetings throughout the year.
Membership
On 15 February 2022 Council endorsed 10 nominations from community members to join the Advisory Group.
The successful appointees will join up to three representatives from local organisations to form the first LGBTIQA+ Community Advisory Group for the municipality.
The Advisory Group will be joined by three Councillors, Cr Cuc Lam and Cr Sarah Carter, with Cr Bernadette Thomas being appointed as Chair.
The first meeting of the committee is scheduled on Wednesday 30 March 2022.
Terms of Reference
The Advisory Group's Terms of Reference outline the responsibilities and functions of the Group. The Terms of Reference are for public access and to download via:
Related Information
COVID-19 Support
The health and wellbeing of our community is our priority. Below you will find information relating to Council's ongoing response to COVID-19.
More information is available through the Department of Health and cohealth websites.
COVID-19 Support Services
LGBTIQA+ Information, Resources and Support
Below you will find a range of support, information and resources specifically for LGBTIQA+ people, their families and communities.
LGBTIQA+ Information, Resources and Support
Switchboard
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Switchboard Victoria is a community based not for profit organisation that provides a peer based, volunteer run support service for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual (LGBTIQA+) community and their allies, friends and families.
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Thorne Harbour Health
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Visit the website
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Thorne Harbour Health continues to lead the response by providing a range of services which include prevention education, treatment and care of people living with HIV and counselling services.
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| Minus18 |
Visit the website
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Minus18’s work includes building social inclusion, and advocating for an Australia where all young people are safe, empowered, and surrounded by people that support them.
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Koorie Pride Victoria
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Visit the website
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Koorie Pride Victoria works with an emphasis on empowering and giving visibility, by helping to build on and cultivate social and cultural change by connecting, supporting and empowering Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities identifying LGBTIQAS&B mob living in Victoria as well as elsewhere across Australia and internationally.
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Rainbow Door
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Visit the website
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Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. This service is run by Switchboard Victoria.
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| QLife |
Visit the website
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QLife provides Australia-wide anonymous, peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
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Transgender Victoria
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Visit the website
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Transgender Victoria is the leading body for trans and gender diverse advocacy, training, and resource development in Victoria, and works to achieving justice, equity and inclusive service provision for trans and gender diverse people, their partners, families and friends.
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queerspace
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Visit the website
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queerspace provides counselling, case management, individual advocacy and other support services to help with a range of issues and also provides family education and group support programs.
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Intersex Peer Support Australia
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Visit the website
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Intersex Peer Support Australia is an intersex peer support, information and advocacy group for people born with variations in sex characteristics and their families.
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Pride Disability Services
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Visit the website
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Pride Disability Services (formerly known as Pride Vic) is a gender diverse specific disability support agency that have created a safe and inclusive space for individuals to access NDIS support services. Pride Disability Services is an official NDIS provider.
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Queer Refugee and Asylum Seeker Peers
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Visit the website
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QRASP is a growing community of LGBTQI+ refugees and people seeking asylum, a peer led social support group that organises activities, excursions, workshops and trainings, referrals, connections, networking, and emotional and practical support. QRASP is Melbourne based and is funded by Many Coloured Sky.
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