LGBTIQA+ communities are a proud part of the Victorian community. Their critical lived experience voices guide our policy and program responses.
We are working to build a society where all people can be themselves and support one another. By working with and alongside diverse communities, we are making sure there is a place for all Victorians to be proud and live their lives to the fullest.
We are ensuring LGBTIQA+ people feel safe in a range of settings
- We supported Fitted for Work to work with trans and gender diverse clients on job-readiness. We collaborated with trans and gender diverse community networks, agencies and service providers to inform them about Fitted for Work’s services.
- We announced $3.2 million in the 2022–23 Victorian Budget for the design and delivery of LGBTIQA+ safe space services across Western Victoria. These will foster social connection and address mental health and wellbeing inequalities.
- We announced $900,000 for 8 LGBTIQA+ organisations to address increased demand for support services in the first 6 months of 2023.
We are celebrating pride and connecting communities
- Over 49,000 people attended the Melbourne Pride street party. It marked 40 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria, and celebrated Victoria's diverse rainbow communities.
- We funded 37 organisations to deliver events to support and connect LGBTIQA+ communities across Victoria through the Pride Events and Festivals Fund.
- Over 300 people attended the Victorian Public Sector Pride Awards. The awards recognise people working to build a more inclusive public service.
- We committed to support opportunities for young and older LGBTIQA+ people to connect with peers and LGBTIQA+ communities in the Ageing well action plan: an action plan for strengthening wellbeing for senior Victorians 2022–2026.
We are working to ensure sport and recreation are inclusive for LGBTIQA+ communities
- We supported 3 projects through the Together More Active grants program. The projects will increase LGBTIQA+ inclusion and participation in sport and active recreation.
- We relaunched the Fair Play Code in October 2022 with the tagline ‘Let’s call time on bad behaviour in sport’. The code sets behaviour standards for everyone involved in sport and active recreation. The standards aim to ensure safe and inclusive environments for all.
- Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust now have an all-gender public facilities policy for large events, such as the Australian Open. There are now all-gender facilities at Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena.
We are investing in new and refurbished change room facilities so they are more gender inclusive. This is part of the Local Sports Infrastructure Fund. Gender inclusive facilities support people from LGBTIQA+ communities to take part in sport.
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