Media Releases

Thorne Harbour Health has announced the recipients of its 2024 Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions to the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ communities and people living with HIV.

Tony Briffa, the world’s first and only openly intersex mayor was honoured with the President’s Award for her unwavering advocacy for the rights and health of people with innate variations of sex characteristics.

Two distinguished advocates for people living with HIV were awarded Life Memberships: Kath Leane, President of Positive Life SA and Marg Hayes, former Coordinator of the Catholic AIDS Ministry.

Special Service Awards were presented to Thorne Harbour volunteers Kellie Greene, Marc Mendoza, Angelo Todaro, and the Rainbow Local Government Group for their remarkable commitment to supporting the community.

The Greig Friday Young Leader Award went to Elvis Martin, an inspiring community leader and refugee migrant. Since arriving in Australia, Elvis has become a prominent advocate for LGBTIQ+ multicultural communities, serving on the board of Victorian Government’s LGBTIQ+ and Anti-Racism Taskforces.

The awards ceremony followed the 32nd Keith Harbour Address, delivered by former ACON CEO Nicolas ‘Nic’ Parkhill AM. Reflecting on the shared legacy of ACON and Thorne Harbour Health as former AIDS councils, Nic highlighted their continued impact.

The awards and address formed part of Thorne Harbour Health’s Annual General Meeting, coinciding with the release of its annual report for the 2023-24 financial year.

Following a series of violent assaults targeting gay men, Thorne Harbour Health is calling on communities to exercise caution when using apps and social media. A growing number of incidents have recently been reported where offenders pose as legitimate users on online platforms like Grindr, Scruff, and Snapchat to lure gay and bisexual men to public spaces where they are vulnerable to assault and robbery.

“Online platforms have always come with a level of risk, but there are steps you can take to limit that risk and ensure that if something does happen, you can report it.”

“For example, you can turn off location sharing on apps like Snapchat - as we know this specific feature has been used in at least one instance of these attacks.”

Last week, Victoria Police confirmed the arrest of an 18-year old man from Craigieburn, and they are actively identifying offenders and making arrests in other jurisdictions including the Cities of Hume and Boroondara. While several incidents have been reported to date, it’s believed more incidents have occurred.

In 2017, Thorne Harbour Health worked closely with Victoria Police to respond to a similar spate of attacks on gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men using beats.

Community members are encouraged to make a report via the Police Assistance Line and Online Reporting website or, if they prefer, they can ask to speak to a LGBTIQA+ Liaison Officer. In case of an emergency, they should always call Triple Zero (000) in the first instance.

Thorne Harbour Health has also published a list of strategies and steps individuals can take to look after themselves when using dating apps and hook-up platforms at: thorneharbour.org/appsafety

Thorne Harbour Health takes a stand against LGBTIQA+ discrimination and online hate this IDAHOBIT (International Day Against LGBTIQ+ Discrimination) by departing the platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

IDAHOBIT is observed every year on May 17th and serves as an opportunity to reflect on areas where LGBTIQ+ people still experience discrimination. Thorne Harbour encourages other LGBTIQ+ organisations and individuals to use the day to reflect on their social media use and to consider actions that promote safer online spaces.

“The mental health and wellbeing of our communities is a top priority in the online spaces we choose to occupy. Everyone deserves to feel safe expressing themselves on social media, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.”

X is the most egregious social media platform in its failure to enforce policies that shield LGBTIQ+ users from abuse. Hatred on X does not remain online – it extends into the real world with devastating consequences. LGBTIQ+ youth in particular experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and paranoia when encountering online harassment and have an increased risk of self-harm and suicide.

Studies conducted by GLAAD and Amnesty International USA have shown an increase in anti-LGBTIQ+ rhetoric on X following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform. Results are attributed to X’s reinstatement of banned accounts, dissolution of anti-hate speech units, and removal of protections for trans and gender diverse users.

“Social media has been a powerful tool for sharing important information and creating valuable connections with our communities, but it also has a number of pitfalls. We invite all our communities to take stock of their relationship with social media. If you find that a platform does not support your wellbeing, we would encourage you to consider taking a break or leaving the platform altogether.”

Thorne Harbour Health remains committed to protecting its LGBTIQ+ communities, on and offline. The organisation will maintain its accounts on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok, where its advocacy for social justice and community health and wellbeing will continue.

Recognising the urgent need to avoid the spread of Mpox in Victoria, Thorne Harbour Health will launch an Mpox pop-up clinic, offering free and easy drop-in Mpox vaccinations for all men who have sex with men. The launch of the clinic follows the Victorian Department of Health’s alert earlier this week, notifying the public of three new locally acquired cases of Mpox.

Two doses of vaccine 28 days apart are required for the best protection against Mpox. Thorne Harbour is strongly encouraging anyone at risk who hasn’t received their second dose of vaccine to drop-in to the clinic.

“The emergence of new locally acquired cases of Mpox underscores the importance of proactive sexual health care and vaccination. Through our pop-up clinic, we are committed to providing our communities the resources they need to protect themselves and their partners, ” said Ruth.

Located at Thorne Harbour Health, 200 Hoddle St, Abbotsford, the clinic will run from 1 - 8pm next Wednesday 8 May. No appointments are required. All sexually active gay and bi+ men (cis and trans) and any of their sexual partners are eligible for free vaccination.

“We know the importance of providing healthcare services for our communities that are led by those same communities. Through the pop-up Mpox clinic, we hope to reach individuals who may face barriers to accessing traditional health care settings and provide them with the support they need to take charge of their health,” said Ruth.

While common symptoms of Mpox can include lesions, rashes, and sores, Mpox can sometimes be confused with other STIs. Thorne Harbour is encouraging everyone to stay on top of their regular sexual health testing and to book an appointment with their local clinic of GP.

Find out more about Mpox.

The details for Phil's memorial are being finalised. Click here to subscribe to an email update with the time and location as soon as this is confirmed.

On Sunday 17th March, longstanding activist and Founding President of the Victorian AIDS Council (now Thorne Harbour Health) Phil Carswell OAM died peacefully at his home in Brisbane.

Thorne Harbour Health President Janet Jukes OAM said, “Phil Carswell lived an incredible life and our LGBTIQ+ communities owe him a debt of gratitude for his remarkable contribution to our collective health and wellbeing.”

From an early age, Phil was an activist for social justice. He was heavily involved in the union movement as well as the gay and lesbian liberation movement. In 1975, Phil was part of the first National Homosexual Conference at Melbourne University. The conference went on to be held annually in different Australian cities, including the Fourth National Homosexual Conference in Sydney in 1978 following the first Mardi Gras. During that time, Phil was also part of the Melbourne Gay Teachers’ Group, who notably published the booklet “Young Gay and Proud”.

In 1982, Phil was a member of the ALSO Foundation’s subcommittee on health - tasked with gathering information about Gay Related Immune Deficiency (GRID) - or as it would be known a year later Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

on 12 July 1983, Phil was the convenor of the Victorian AIDS Action Committee and the organisation’s first President as it became the Victorian AIDS Council a year later. Phil went on to serve in a number of leadership roles at both the state and federal level through the height of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Australia. He was a founding trustee of the AIDS Trust of Australia. Phil successfully bridged the gap between the community and public service sectors. Along with the late Ian Goller, Phil was the first openly gay man employed by the Victorian Health Department to work on HIV/AIDS prevention. He served on National Advisory Committee on AIDS alongside Ms Ita Buttrose.

Thorne Harbour Health CEO, Simon Ruth, said, “We are devastated to lose Phil. He was always understanding, patient, and supportive of our work. He was an incredible mentor to many who continue to carry his legacy into the work we do today.”

After his time in Victoria, Phil moved to Queensland where he became a significant figure in the Queensland HIV and LGBTIQ+ movement for another 20 years. For his outstanding service to community health and the response to HIV/AIDS, Phil was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in June 2015.

Phil is survived by his partner of 40 years, Ian Cherry, whom he married on Stonewall Day in 2013 in New York City. Plans are underway for a memorial service in Melbourne and will be shared online by Thorne Harbour Health.

Only days after World AIDS Day, Australia’s oldest HIV/AIDS organisation, Thorne Harbour Health, is incredibly disappointed by the news of CatholicCare Victoria’s decision to discontinue its longstanding HIV/AIDS Ministry.

The service provided vital support and advocacy for people living with or affected by HIV regardless of religious belief or background. The decision follows the retirement of the ministry’s longstanding coordinator Marg Hayes who led the service for more than 20 years.

“The lack of community consultation on this decision is disappointing.”

In addition to providing a range of social supports to people living with HIV, the Ministry also provided important community education around the contemporary landscape surrounding HIV in settings like schools and parishes. The Catholic HIV/AIDS Ministry was also a longstanding partner on the annual World AIDS Memorial alongside Thorne Harbour Health, Living Positive Victoria, and Positive Women Victoria - the most recent of which was held on Friday 1 December for World AIDS Day.

“The Catholic HIV/AIDS Ministry has historically been a distinguished institution in allyship with people living with HIV. To see it fall by the wayside is disheartening,” Simon Ruth added.

“Sadly, this appears to be a further example of the lack of ongoing commitment to LGBTIQ+ people by faith-based organisations beyond dedicated individuals like the amazing Mary Hayes.”

Leading LGBTIQA+ community organisations are calling for collective action and for all Victorians to join Friday’s Walk Against Family Violence — including Switchboard Victoria, Thorne Harbour Health, Transcend Australia, Transgender Victoria (TGV), and Zoe Belle Gender Collective.

Heading into the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Respect Victoria is hosting the 15th annual Walk Against Family Violence on Friday 24 November.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence originated from a petition circulated during the 1991 United Nations World Conference on Human Rights calling on the conference committee to address women’s human rights and recognise gender-based violence as a human rights issue.

LGBTIQA+ community organisations are joining the walk to draw attention to family violence experienced by LGBTIQA+ people and emphasise the importance of investing in safe and inclusive services that provide support to all people who experience gender-based and family violence.

Switchboard Victoria CEO Joe Ball added, “Family violence impacts us all. Every person deserves to be safe. Every person deserves to be able to flee from violence – whether that distance is measured in kms or in countries. Every person deserves to heal from violence. Every person deserves to be able to tell their story.”

Transcend Australia CEO Jeremy Wiggins said, “Transcend is proud to walk alongside Victorian LGBTIQ+ organisations in the Walk Against Family Violence. As a family support organisation serving families and their trans children, it’s vital to our mission and to the long term improved health outcomes for our trans communities that we work to eliminate family violence and ensure all people can live free from violence and discrimination.”

TGV CEO Son Vivienne added, “Research shows that transgender and gender diverse people are at higher risk of gender-based family violence, with trans people of colour disproportionately impacted. We’re joining the Walk to call for more comprehensive data, reporting, and action to help create a future where everyone is safe, equal, and respected — no matter their gender identity.”

Marshalling for the walk will begin from 10:30AM on the stairs of the Parliament of Victoria on Melbourne’s Spring Street. Official proceedings commence from 11AM with the walk then departing Parliament and proceeding to Carlton Gardens, with an aim to finish between approximately 12:30-1PM. LGBTIQA+ community members are encouraged to look for a rainbow banner with the logos of Switchboard, Thorne Harbour Health, Transcend Australia, Transgender Victoria, and Zoe Belle Gender Collective if they would like to walk alongside them.

Thorne Harbour Health has announced the recipients of their 2023 Awards alongside the 31st Keith Harbour Address – this year delivered by Switchboard CEO and trans community advocate Joe Ball.

Held as part of the organisation’s annual general meeting, the Keith Harbour Address invites a special guest to deliver an oration addressing the ongoing response to HIV as well as the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ communities more broadly.

Focused on honouring the legacy of community activism, Joe Ball spoke to the importance of addressing suicide in LGBTIQA+ communities and drew a parallel in the iconic ‘Silence Equals Death’ message to acknowledge that we must be able to name the issue to address it.

He added, “We have inherited a legacy that calls us to build a broad movement of support, to find and maintain our allies, and to reclaim the narrative surrounding our lives and experiences. If you haven’t joined the struggle for trans rights already – consider this your invitation. Let us stand united just as AIDS activists taught us to do; and together we can create a world where everyone has the right to thrive and to love and to be loved.”

The address was immediately followed by presentation of the 2023 Thorne Harbour Health Awards, including Life Membership for Living Positive Victoria CEO Richard Keane and Lady Primrose Potter AC for their longstanding commitment to supporting people living with HIV.

Lady Primrose Potter AC reflected on the impact the early epidemic had on her.

She recalled, “We were over at Fairfield [Hospital] and I’d seen young men there whose family had thrown them out. They’d had AIDS, and they weren’t going to have them in the house, and they had no money – they had nothing. They were destitute. You can’t leave people like that without helping them.”

Flis Marlowe OAM received the 2023 Thorne Harbour Health President’s Award for their legacy of work in supporting LGBTIQ+ communities over the years – including the recent Rainbow Community Angels project focused on mobilising community members to create safe spaces of LGBTIQ+ events. In their acceptance speech, they highlighted the positive impact of the initiative in regional settings and acknowledged the collective behind the project.

“I just want to say it’s an honour to do the Rainbow Community Angels. It’s the most inspiring, ally-inclusive activity I’ve ever done…I can say that it wasn’t only me. There were many, many other people involved every step of the way.”

Melbourne Grammar’s school captain, Daniel Cash, received the 2023 Greig Friday Young Leader Award for making headlines in April 2022 when he called out the Presbyterian Church for its public stance that students in a same-sex relationship would be ineligible for student leadership.

Special Service Awards were also presented to dedicated volunteers Mike O’ Brien, Jill Newton, and Peter Farrington as well as Community Co-Chair of the Victorian LGBTIQ+ Taksforce, Jayde de Bondt.

The official program for the sixth national LGBTIQ+ Women’s Health Conference has been released today. Presented by Thorne Harbour Health and ACON, the two-day national conference focusing on the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ women returns to Melbourne from 24-25 October 2023.

Among this year’s presenters is keynote speaker Dr Autumn Asher BlackDeer. Dr BlackDeer centres Indigenous voices throughout her research as both a queer decolonial scholar-activist from the Southern Cheyenne Nation and an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver.

This year’s program features over thirty presentations, discussion panels, and workshops. Program highlights include:

• Emerging trends and community-led responses to tech-facilitated gender-based violence against LGBTIQ+ women
• Prioritising Queer Pleasure Workshop
• Rainbow Mob Health Panel
• Trauma-Informed Kickboxing for Everybody
• Disability Discussion Panel
• Inhabiting Two Worlds at Once: experiences of LGBTIQ refugee & migrant women in Australia

“We hope that this year’s conference reinvigorates the conversation about the mental, physical, sexual, and social health of LGBTIQ+ women across Australia as well as creates a space to celebrate our diversity,” said Rachel Cook, Women’s Health Lead at Thorne Harbour Health and one of the conference organisers.

This year’s conference aims to support the wellbeing of attendees with morning yoga and meditation sessions complemented by social events featuring the fabulous Sarah Ward (aka Yana Alana) and Kitty Obsidian.

“The LGBTIQ+ Women’s Health Conference offers our communities an important and much-needed forum to come together and put the spotlight on significant issues that impact LGBTIQ+ women’s lives. These conferences are always rich and inspiring, covering a range of content, health issues, bodies and lived experiences,” said ACON Deputy CEO, Karen Price.

“There is a unique and powerful energy created when those engaged in improving the health of LGBTIQ+ women come together. The conference will harness our expertise, research, lived experience and importantly, we will explore opportunities to strengthen efforts to influence LGBTIQ+ policy, programs and services,” she added.

“We look forward to putting diverse LGBTIQ+ women at the centre of this national conference, hosted with and for our communities by ACON and Thorne Harbour Health.”

Co-hosted by Thorne Harbour Health and ACON, the 2023 LGBTIQ+ Women’s Health Conference will take place on Tuesday 24 October and Wednesday 25 October at the Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne.

For the conference program, head to: lbq.org.au/program

Thorne Harbour Health, one of Australia’s largest LGBTIQA+ community-controlled health organisations, is proud to announce the official launch of the LGBTIQA+ mental health service in Adelaide. Addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by LGBTIQA+ people, this specialist service is a first for South Australia and joins the ACT as the only government funded services nationwide to do so.

“Mental health issues within our LGBTIQA+ communities are a serious concern — with higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicide than the general population,” said Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth.

The new mental health service expands on Thorne Harbour Health’s current LGBTIQA+ alcohol and other drug service which has been running since 2021. Both services are supported by funding from Adelaide Primary Health Network (PHN) through the Australian Government’s PHN program.

Venetia Brissenden is the Manager of Therapeutic Services at Thorne Harbour Health in South Australia.

Ms Brissenden said, “We’re committed to providing a safe space where all LGBTIQA+ individuals, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, can receive the care that they need.”

“We have an exceptional team of LGBTIQA+ staff who are understanding of the issues facing our communities and how to support their mental health in an inclusive and affirming way,” she added.

The service’s official launch is being held at local LGBTIQA+ venue, My Lover Cindi, on Monday 31 July from 6:30PM. For more information on Thorne Harbour Health’s services and programs in South Australia, head to: thorneharbour.org/southaustralia

Today marks 40 years since the founding of Thorne Harbour Health, Australia's oldest HIV/AIDS organisation and now one of the largest LGBTIQ+ community-controlled health organisations in the country. This month the organisation is hosting a series of exhibitions and community forums to reflect on the past four decades as well as inform the ongoing response to those issues impacting LGBTIQ+ communities today.

"We hope that there will be something to inspire everyone — from innovations in health promotion to exploring the state of LGBTIQ+ rights around the globe," said Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth.

"We have arranged a series of forums to accompany each exhibition, with panels made up of incredible subject matter experts and some of the living legends behind our founding in 1983," Mr Ruth added.

The organisation kicked things off with the Ruby Red Ball at Melbourne Town Hall last Saturday featuring many of the people who have contributed to the legacy of the past 40 years.

Ms Jukes said, "We're fortunate to have many of our founding members speaking at our events this month. In the current landscape, our LGBTIQ+ communities could benefit from the wisdom of our past as we tackle the issues facing us today."

For a full list of events being held as part of Thorne Harbour Health's 40th Anniversary, head to: www.thorneharbour.org.

In the lead up to IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia), Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ community-controlled health organisation, Thorne Harbour Health, is calling for swift and collective action to address the recent series of attacks on Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ communities.

“While IDAHOBIT is a chance to acknowledge the discrimination faced by our LGBTIQ+ communities internationally, this year Victoria has an opportunity to lead by example and swiftly respond to the recent spate of attacks on our LGBTIQ+ communities,” said Thorne Harbour Health Acting CEO Carolyn Gillespie.

“The threats of violence and hate speech from a vocal minority cannot and should not dictate whether LGBTIQ+ people can safely and fully participate in society,” Ms Gillespie said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews recently called the threats of violence that led to the cancellation of Monash Council’s IDAHOBIT event ‘hate speech — plain and simple’.

Thorne Harbour Health is calling on the Government to follow through on its commitment to protect LGBTIQ+ Victorians by expanding anti-vilification laws. The organisation is also seeking greater leadership from Victoria Police to work with LGBTIQ+ communities so events can be held safely.

“Our communities have already started to mobilise and find innovative solutions to make events safer to attend. We hope that Victoria Police can get on board and support their efforts,” Ms. Gillespie said.

Thorne Harbour Health is currently planning a series of community events, exhibitions, and forums this winter to celebrate the organisation’s 40th anniversary. The full schedule is due to be released later this month.