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LGBTIQA+

Nillumbik Shire Council is committed to creating a fair, equitable and inclusive community where human rights are respected, participation is facilitated, barriers are addressed and diversity is celebrated. We support the rights of all people regardless of age, gender, ability or background. We value the diverse and changing nature of our community and understand that some groups and individuals experience more barriers than others.

The Access, Equity and Inclusion Policy adopted in 2022, outlines Council’s commitment to equitable and inclusive practice across all council activities. This policy includes our commitment to celebrating diversity and ensuring that Nillumbik is a safe and welcoming place for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQA+) community members.

We are working to raise awareness of LGBTIQA+ issues and working towards eliminating discrimination and isolation experienced by LGBTIQA+ people.

More information

Terminology and language

Terminology and language can impact on a person’s identity, self-worth and inherent dignity. The use of inclusive and acceptable terminology empowers individuals and enables visibility of important issues. Terminology in this area is at times contested and changing and there is not often clear consensus on what is appropriate terminology. While recognising these limitations, it is important to provide clarification around some of the terminology.

There are many ways to describe sexuality and gender. Many of these are captured by the term LGBTIQA+. This stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and Asexual/Aromantic.

+ – The plus sign acknowledges there are other diverse sexual orientations and gender identities that fall outside of LGBTQIA definitions, especially of other cultural identities and roles.

For more information on sexual orientations, gender identities, and their definitions, check out these websites:

headspace - Understanding Sexuality

headspace - What is Gender Identity?

Victorian Government’s LGBTI Inclusive Language Guide

Minus18

Trans Hub

*Cisgender refers to someone whose gender identity aligns with the gender they were assigned at birth.

LGBTI inclusive services and information

Name	Details	Contact Information
Switch Board	Community based organisation providing peer based, volunteer run support service for LGBTIQ people, their friends, families and allies	http://www.switchboard.org.au/ Ph: 1800 184 527
Rainbow Door	Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.	10am-6pm, 7 days a week Ph: 1800 729 367 Text: 0480 017 246 Email: support@rainbowdoor.org.au www.rainbowdoor.org.au
Sexual Health Victoria	Reproductive and sexual health clinical services	https://shvic.org.au/ Ph: 1800 013 952
Queerspace :Drummond Street Service	LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing support service. Services include, counselling, peer support and professional development.	https://www.queerspace.org.au/ Ph: 9663 6733
The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne – Gender Service	A service for children and adolescents up to the age of 17 to improve the physical and mental health outcomes of children and adolescents who are trans or gender diverse	rch.org.au/adolescent-medicine/gender-service/ Ph: 9345 5890
Monash Health Gender Clinic	A state-wide service to improve the health and wellbeing of trans, gender diverse and non-binary people aged 17 years and above	www.monashhealth.org/services/gender-clinic/ Ph: 9556 5216
Q Life	Free anonymous online and phone counselling and referral service for people wanting to discuss a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings and relationships	qlife.org.au Ph: 1800 184 527
Northside Clinic – located in Fitzroy North	General practice specialising in LGBTI health, trans and gender diverse healthcare	northsideclinic.net.au Ph: 9485 7700
Thorne Harbour Health (formerly the Victorian AIDS Council)	A range of services from prevention to education, treatment and care of People Living with HIV/AIDS and counselling services	https://thorneharbour.org/ Ph: 9525 5866
Positive Women	Support and advocacy for women living with HIV	positivewomen.org.au Ph: 9863 8747
Living Positive Victoria	Community based organisation representing all people living with HIV in Victoria and is committed to the advancement of human rights and wellbeing of all people living with HIV	livingpositivevictoria.org.au Ph: 9863 8733
Equinox – located in Fitzroy	A peer led Trans and Gender Diverse health service clinic	equinox.org.au Ph: 9416 2889
Prahran Market Clinic – located in Prahran	Medical General Practise focussing on sexual health, Gay, Lesbian and gender diverse health. Rapid HIV testing available.	prahranmarketclinic.com Ph: 9514 0888
Melbourne Sexual Health – located in Carlton	Walk in clinic offering sexual health screening services	mshc.org.au Ph: 9341 6200

Support for young people

Name	Details	Contact Information
headspace Greensborough	Free mental health service who specialise in youth wellbeing for young people aged 12-25	https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/greensborough/ 9433 7200
Minus 18	Champions for LGBTIQ Youth Australia Wide – Events, support, workshops and campaigns	minus18.org.au
The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne – Gender Service	A service for children and adolescents up to the age of 17 to improve the physical and mental health outcomes of children and adolescents who are trans or gender diverse	rch.org.au/adolescent-medicine/gender-service/ 9345 5890
Rainbow Network	Network, training and resources for people working with same sex attracted, intersex, trans and gender diverse young people	rainbownetwork.com.au 9479 8870
Youth Service	Provide support to LGBTIQ+ young people 16-25 and their families around Alcohol and other Drug use	thorneharbour.org/lgbti-health/alcohol-and-other-drug-services-aod/yasss-youth-service 9865 6700
Family Access Network	Provide transitional housing for young people aged 15-25 who are experience or are at risk of homelessness, providing two properties specifically for LGBTI.	http://www.fan.org.au 9890 2673
(In)visible Project : The Drum	Community driven program that connect queer and trans people from diver cultural and religious backgrounds.	https://thedrum.ds.org.au/program/invisible/ 9663 6733

Support for older people

Name	Details	Contact information
My Aged Care	Support for LGBTQIA+ people when engaging with the Aged Care system	Support for LGBTI people \| My Aged Care
Val's Cafe	Improving healthy ageing pathways for older LGBTI people, their visibility, and inclusion.	Val’s LGBTI Ageing & Aged Care, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University
Out and About - Switchboard	Facilitates friendship between LGBTI+ seniors and peer volunteer visitors.	LGBTI+ Older People — Switchboard Victoria

IDAHOBIT

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) celebrates LGBTIQA+ people globally, and raises awareness for the work still needed to reduce discrimination and inequality.

The first IDAHOBIT was held in 2005, it is celebrated globally on 17 May in recognition of the anniversary of the World Health Organization’s decision to remove homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems.

Nillumbik Shire Council is proud to participate in IDAHOBIT celebrations each year, and contribute to creating a fair, equal and inclusive community. This commitment aligns with Council’s Health and Wellbeing Plan and Access, Equity and Inclusion Policy, read more about these strategic documents here.

To learn more visit IDAHOBIT.