As part of our Rainbow Tick Accreditation journey, we are expanding our service delivery to meet the needs of LGBTIQA+ communities.
As a feminist organisation, we are working towards challenging and dismantling the structures and systems of gendered oppression.
We also believe that gender equity cannot be achieved if we do not simultaneously advocate to dismantle other forms of oppression.
In doing so, we recognise the need to provide services and spaces that reduce the number of barriers LGBTQIA+ communities face when accessing family violence services.
Current research suggests that six in ten LGBTQ+ people in Australia have experienced family violence (La Trobe 2020); and that the level of family violence against transgender and intersex people appears to be particularly high (Royal Commission into Family Violence, 2016).
In a 2018 Australian study of 1613 Trans and Gender diverse people, 53.2 per cent reported experiencing sexual violence or coercion. This compares to 13.3 per cent among a general sample of people in Australia (ACON TGD report 2018).
Research also shows that 65 per cent of trans and gender diverse people reported their sex education as ‘poor’ or ‘awful’, 51.2 per cent experienced insensitive sexual healthcare.
The alarmingly high rates of violence experienced by these communities highlight the need for inclusive, safe family violence support services for LGBTIQA+ communities.
Over the coming months, we will be looking to expand our service delivery and partnerships in order to provide safe, accessible and welcoming services to members of LGBTIQA+ communities.
LGBTIQA+ Resources
LGBTIQA+ 101
- LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Language Guide
- Rainbow Health Victoria’s Trans 101 – Gender Diversity Crash Course guide
- How to be a Trans Ally guide
- Minus18 Guide to Pronouns video
- Transgender Victoria’s (TGV) Terminology Glossary
LGBTIQA+ resources, campaigns, research and directories
- Respect Victoria’s Pride, Respect, Equality campaign | Provides information about the need for support and safety for LGBTIQ+ people, shares important data and insights into LGBTIQ+ peoples experience with family violence and the barriers the community face in seeking support. The campaign is supported by some incredible videos that share the many experiences of LGBTIQ+ people.
- La Trobe University Writing Themselves In 4 National Report | You can also access the Victorian summary report here. The report shares the findings from a survey of the health and wellbeing among LGBTQA+ young people in Australia/Victoria.
- Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council Resources and Directory | AGMC is the national peak body for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer individuals and community groups of multicultural and multifaith backgrounds. The following directory and resources provide information and access for LGBTIQA+ people of multicultural and multifaith backgrounds.
Media
- JOY 94.9 FM radio station
- NB: My Non-Binary Life podcast
- Nancy podcast
- You can’t Ask That, Series 1 Episode 3 ‘Transgender’, ABC iview
- You can’t Ask That, Series 3 Episode 7 ‘Drag’, ABC iview
- You can’t Ask That, Series 4 Episode 1 ‘Domestic and Family Violence’, ABC iview
- You can’t Ask That, Series 4 Episode 3 ‘Intersex’, ABC iview
- You can’t Ask That, Series 6 Episode 6 ‘Lesbians’, ABC iview
People and community-led organisations to follow
People
- Sally Goldner | TW: @salgoldsaidso
- Margot Finke | FB: @margot.talks
- Jax Jackie Brown | TW: @jaxjackibrown
- Nevo Zisin | TW: @FindingNevo1 | FB: @nevozisin
- Joe Ball | TW: @Joe_c_Ball
Organisations
- Transgender Victoria | tgv.org.au
- Rainbow Health Victoria | rainbowhealthvic.org.au
- Black Rainbow | blackrainbow.org.au
- Minus18 | minus18.org.au
- Switchboard | switchboard.org.au
- QLife | www.qlife.org.au
