The Victorian Carers Recognition Act 2012 recognises, promotes and values the role of people in care relationships, recognising differing needs and promoting the benefits that care relationships can bring.
QLife
QLife provides anonymous LGBTQIA+ peer support and referrals to people on a range of topics including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings and relationships. It is a free service delivered by LGBTI community members across Australia. Call QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit the website for webchat here. Open 3pm to midnight every day.
queerspace
queerspace provides a non-judgemental, queer affirmative counselling service. queerspace staff come from one or more of the LGBTIQ+ communities so understand first-hand the importance of chosen family, supportive communities and building resilience.
Rainbow Door
Rainbow door is a free helpline offering information, support and referrals to LGBTQIA+ Victorians and their friends and family. Rainbow Door will work to support people experiencing suicidal thoughts, family and intimate partner violence and mental health. Rainbow Door also offers multi language interpreting and Auslan services. Call 1800 729 367, text 0480 017 246 email [email protected]u
Thorne Harbour Health
Thorne Harbour Health works to achieve a healthy future for sex, sexuality and gender diverse communities. As a community-controlled organisation it is governed by members and works for people living with HIV as well as our sex, sexuality and gender diverse communities.Visit the website for information on how to access a range of general and mental health services.
YGender
Ygender is a peer led social support and advocacy group for trans/gender diverse young people. YGender run events for trans and gender diverse young people, create amazing resources and workshops and much more. Visit their website here.
Inclusive Practice Guide for Homelessness and Housing Sectors in Australia
This guide outlines inclusive practice for agencies in Australian homelessness and housing sectors working with clients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer or questioning (LGBTIQ+) in response to evidence that LGBTIQ+ people are at higher risk of homelessness and have specific needs to address.
Student Voice Hub (SVH) – LGBTQI+ Resources
Vic SRC together with Minus18 have pulled together a wealth of resources to support the wellbeing and inclusion of LGBTQI+ students in Victorian schools. Access these resources here
The Victorian Pride Centre
The Victorian Pride Centre is home to a range of LGBTIQ+ focused organisations, along with businesses who support the LGBTIQ+ community. Visit their website to access a range of information and services from social connection, to mental health and wellbeing, to education and resources.
Resources for schools and universities via Minus18
Minus18’s website has a wealth of resources available to support and champion young LGBTQIA+ Australians. You can filter the resource page based on your context, including schools and unis, workplaces and more.
Zoe Belle Gender Collective (ZBGC)
ZBGC is a trans and gender diverse led advocacy organisation based in Victoria that works to improve the health and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse (TGD). ZBGC have a range of fantastic resources, including for trans and gender diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
ZBGC recently ran training for staff at the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Wellbeing, and a number of the resources they provided attendees form part of this newsletter. Visit the website here.
Families like mine
Families like mine is a guide offering practical advice to families of young gender diverse people, same-sex attracted and bisexual people, and those who are questioning their sexuality or gender identity to improve family’s capacity to have a positive impact on their LGBTQIA+ children. Access it here.
Treating Families Fairly is an alliance of child and family service organisations, peak bodies and academics advocating for policies that uphold the rights of children and families, and speaking out against policies that cause harm, with a particular focus on social security and welfare conditionality.
Continue reading “Treating Families Fairly”
At a meeting of the Council of Attorneys General in Australia held on July 27th 2020, a decision was taken not to increase the age of criminal responsibility in Australia – it currently sits at 10 years of age.
Continue reading “Shame! Grandparents condemn Australian Attorneys General for refusing to raise the age of criminal responsibility”
GPV/KCV scrutinises law, policy and practice, asking: what is best for all children and what effect will the decisions we take today have on their futures?
GPV/KCV recognises that guidelines exist for the creation and use of Family Impact Statements (FIS) when putting proposals to local federal or state government councils or cabinets but is disappointed in the underutilisation of these statements and their lack of public visibility.
The Board of Grandparents Victoria and Kinship Carers Victoria believes that families are made up of many complex relationships and that the role of grandparents in keeping these relationships healthy is crucial, involving acceptance of the diversity amongst us all.
The Board supports the right of same-sex couples to make their own decisions about whether or not they marry. The Board urges the Australian Parliament to make it possible through changes to legislation for this right to be enabled.
The Board supports the stance taken by Australian Human Rights Commission which considers that the fundamental human rights principle of equality means that civil marriage should be available, without discrimination, to all couples, regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Further, the Board believes that too many precious public funds have been expended on this debate, that no more should be wasted and that the Australian Government should lead the way to resolve this matter quickly.