The Andrews Labor Government is backing LGBTIQ+ events across Victoria, as well as supporting hundreds of service organisations across Victoria to become more inclusive for queer communities.

Marking IDAHOBIT today, Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Equality Harriet Shing announced the Labor Government is investing $1.85 million for Rainbow Health Australia to deliver inclusion training to service organisations to make sure they are safe and trusted by the LGBTIQ+ community.

Rainbow Health Australia is a trusted organisation located in the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University, supporting LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing through research, training and resources.

This investment will support up to 400 organisations to undertake Rainbow Health Australia’s training program How2 – helping them improve LGBTIQ+ inclusion in their workplaces in a sustainable way, including by developing and implementing an inclusion plan.

Rainbow Health Australia will also partner with an Aboriginal-led organisation to come up with the best approach for supporting Aboriginal-led organisations as they undertake this work. It will also create networks of organisations that have completed the program, providing a place to share experiences and advice.

The How2 program provides a foundation for service organisations that want to complete Rainbow Health Australia’s accreditation program Rainbow Tick – a world-first framework for organisations to demonstrate they are safe and inclusive for LGBTIQ+ people.

The Labor Government is also delivering $700,000 in LGBTIQ+ Organisational Development Grants, with recipient organisations to improve the support they can provide to the LGBTIQ+ community.

TILDE – the Melbourne Trans and Gender Diverse Film Festival – is receiving $50,000 to invest in mentoring and training for some of their key leaders, while Feifei Curiosity will see almost $12,500 to set up a platform for amplifying and advocating for the voices of LGBTIQ+ international students.

Africare Community Services is receiving $10,500 to build relationships with LGBTIQ+ people within African communities, and Geelong-based disability support organisation AmAble Community Services is receiving $12,500 to research the needs of LGBTIQ+ young people with disabilities – developing a social program to support them.

These investments are part of the Labor Government’s broader efforts to drive equality for LGBTIQ+ communities through its landmark 10-year LGBTIQ+ strategy Pride in our Future 2022-2032. Organisations interested in undertaking How2 training can find out more at rainbowhealthaustralia.org.au/training-programs.

Quote attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“Equality in Victoria is not negotiable – we’re building a state that is inclusive for everyone, because every space should be a safe one for LGBTIQ+ Victorians.”