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2024

18 Mar 2024

Death of Legendary Activist for Social Justice, Phil Carswell OAM

On Sunday morning, 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.”

We use the label ‘legend’ for many people who have played important roles in our community, but it’s completely true and appropriate of Phil Carswell.

Janet Jukes OAM, Thorne Harbour Health President

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.”

Our LGBTIQ+ communities and people living with HIV will benefit from his fierce advocacy and dedication long into the future.

Simon Ruth, Thorne Harbour Health CEO

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.

2023

08 Dec 2023

Closure of Victoria’s Longstanding Catholic HIV/AIDS Ministry

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 decision by the Catholic Church to terminate their HIV/AIDS Ministry speaks to the fragility of these initiatives that are all-too-often quietly championed by single individuals. Marg Hayes was one such individual who demonstrated compassionate care and support for countless individuals over the course of her career.

Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth

“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.”

23 Nov 2023

LGBTIQA+ Communities Walk Against Family Violence

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.

Family violence is a serious issue and can happen to anyone, including our LGBTIQ+ communities. Family violence takes a multitude of forms, including some that are unique to LGBTIQ+ relationships such as threatening to out a person due to their gender identity, sexuality, or HIV status as a means to harm or control them.

Simon Ruth, Thorne Harbour Health CEO

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.

13 Nov 2023

Legacy of Community Action Honoured at Thorne Harbour Health

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.

In the silence, we obscure the reality that we are not our deaths and that we are not just people who succumb to despair. We are people who can and profoundly wish to thrive.

Joe Ball

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.

26 Sep 2023

Official Program Released for 2023 LGBTIQ+ Women’s Health Conference

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.

Recently there’s been a disproportionate focus on the differences among LGBTIQ+ women. This conference offers us an invaluable opportunity to come together in solidarity to advance our collective wellbeing and address the health needs of all LGBTIQ+ women across Australia.

Thorne Harbour Health President Janet Jukes OAM

“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

28 Jul 2023

South Australia Launches Groundbreaking LGBTIQA+ Mental Health Service

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.

Our communities want to access services that are delivered by LGBTIQA+ community-controlled organisations – where they can feel safe and understood from the moment they walk through the door.

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

12 Jul 2023

Celebrating 40 Years of Supporting LGBTIQ+ Communities and PLHIV

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.

A lot has changed since our start as the Victorian AIDS Action Committee. We were founded by a group of people forged in the fires of gay and lesbian liberation to tackle the emerging HIV/AIDS crisis. Four decades on, we have seen amazing progress. This 40-year milestone provides us with an opportunity not only to look back at what we have accomplished but also to inspire us to continue our work in improving the health and wellbeing of our LGBTIQ+ communities more broadly.

Janet Jukes OAM, Thorne Harbour Health President

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.

16 May 2023

Calling for Action Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia in Victoria

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.

Cancelling an IDAHOBIT event due to threats of violence toward our LGBTIQ+ communities is a powerful reminder that our work is far from over. Community events can offer us a meaningful engagement with one another, a space to be affirmed and celebrated for who we are, and an important contributor to a more equitable and inclusive society.

Carolyn Gillespie, Acting CEO

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.

03 Feb 2023

Thorne Harbour Country introduces 'LGBTI Q Time' in Bendigo

Thorne Harbour Country is working with Bendigo Library to launch LGBTI Q Time - a new initiative creating a safe space for community members to ask questions related to gender identity and sexual orientation. Starting this week, Thorne Harbour Country will have a staff member at Bendigo Library from 10AM-12PM on the first Monday of every month.

Based in Bendigo, Thorne Harbour Country is part of Thorne Harbour Health (formerly the Victorian AIDS Council) and provides information, counselling, and referrals to health and wellbeing services to LGBTIQ+ people and people living with HIV.

“It is fantastic to see a number of LGBTIQ+ pride festivals underway across regional and rural Victoria, but some people may be hesitant to engage with LGBTIQ+ community pride events or come to see us at our location on Mundy Street” said Thorne Harbour Health Acting CEO Carolyn Gillespie.

“This could be due to previous experiences of discrimination, apprehension about ‘coming out’, or simply being intimidated by all the excitement.”

Damien Stevens-Todd is the Thorne Harbour Country Program Manager.

We’re partnering with Bendigo Library to create a welcoming and safe opportunity for anyone in the community to ask questions, access resources, and discuss their experiences - regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Damien Stevens-Todd

During LGBTI Q Time, a Thorne Harbour Country staff member will be available near the Information Desk at Bendigo Library for people who want to drop in to learn more about LGBTIQ+ communities, to become better allies, to ask questions they may be apprehensive about asking at larger events, or to learn about how to better support their LGBTIQ+ family member, colleague, or friend.

LGBTI Q Time starts on Monday 6 February and will run from 10AM-12PM on the first Monday of every month at Bendigo Library located at 259 Hargreaves Street in Bendigo.

2022

06 Dec 2022

LGBTIQ+ and PLHIV Communities Celebrated Alongside Address from Victorian CHO Brett Sutton

Presentation of the 2022 Thorne Harbour Health Awards were complemented by the 30th Annual Keith Harbour Address delivered by Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton.

The Thorne Harbour Health Awards recognise the outstanding contribution of individuals who have made a significant impact on improving the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ communities and people living with HIV. This year’s recipients include:

  • President’s Award - longstanding HIV clinician and researcher, Professor Jenny Hoy
  • Greig Friday Young Leader Award - peer facilitator and outreach volunteer, Tegan West
  • Life Memberships - Danny Gallant and Russell Oke

As well as Special Service Awards to:

  • Historian and Principal Assessor at Heritage Victoria, Dr Marina Larsson
  • Trans and gender diverse community advocate, Starlady
  • Longstanding volunteer, Derryn Pert
  • First Nations trans nonbinary teacher and activist, Ricki Spencer
  • Former Director of Rainbow Health, Marina Carman

Presentation of the awards was immediately followed by the delivery of the 30th Annual Keith Harbour Address by Victorian Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton. The focus of Professor Sutton’s oration was the importance of uncomfortable conversations.

“I’m an ordinary guy who has been thrown into extraordinary circumstances through the COVID pandemic of the last three years....I’ve sat in discomfort a great deal over the last three years - sometimes some extrordinarily uncomfortable situations.”

“These are not unique to COVID. There have been hugely controversial and contested spaces - especially for marginalised populations, especially for those who have had to struggle for their voice to be heard and for their rights to be exercised.”

Professor Sutton went onto to talk about his early clinical experiences at Fairfield Hospital in the early days of the HIV and AIDS epidemic through to his experiences working in East Timor-Leste.

Let us all sit in uncomfortable conversations together, but bring our passion, bring our advocacy, bring our open mindedness. If we go in with a compassionate heart and a genuine willingness to hear and a genuine willingess to change, then the policy that will play out over time will work in all of our stead for all of the issues that are near and dear to us.

Professor Brett Sutton

Thorne Harbour Health Award recipients are published in the 2021-2022 Thorne Harbour Health Annual Report ‘We Are Family’.

20 Oct 2022

Prioritising HIV & AIDS ahead of the upcoming Victorian state election

Today Thorne Harbour Health, Living Positive Victoria, and Positive Women Victoria have released HIV & AIDS Priorities - a document that recommends 38 actions to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and to build upon Victoria’s ongoing response to HIV.

The 60th Parliament of Victoria could oversee the virtual elimination of new HIV transmissions in this state, and be the first jurisdiction in the world to do so.

Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth

“However, a concerted effort is needed for this final stretch, which includes the State Government and Victoria’s HIV community organisations continuing to work together in close partnership.”

Alongside advancements in prevention like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), advances in treatment have made it possible to effectively suppress HIV replication in the body and allow PLHIV to live a long and healthy life. In fact, a sustained undetectable viral load (UVL) eliminates the risk of HIV transmission.

“We are in an age of important advances in HIV treatment and biomedical prevention in the onward of transmission of HIV. The message of ‘undetectable equals untransmittable’ or ‘U=U’ needs to be broadcast to and embraced by the wider community,” said Living Positive Victoria CEO Richard Keane.

“HIV stigma and discrimination continues to create barriers for people living with HIV needing to access health services - leading to late diagnoses, poorer long term health outcomes, reduced quality of life, and the risk of onward transmission.”

Yet certain population groups have not seen the same decreases in new cases as others, requiring targeted approaches across prevention, testing, and treatment.

“It’s wonderful that many advances mean we can aspire to ending HIV in Australia, but this won’t be achieved unless there are equitable health outcomes for all people living with or at risk of HIV,” said Positive Women Victoria Executive Officer Dr Kirsty Machon.

“Women continue to bear a huge burden of HIV-related stigma and assumptions about HIV risk, which may affect access to testing, treatment and care, and psychosocial wellbeing.”

Key priorities include government covering the PBS co-payment on HIV treatment across the state, improving affordability and accessibility of PrEP, and reforming areas of law that continue to perpetuate stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. The document also calls for action on the findings from the 2019 Review of Victorian Sexual Health and Service Needs, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Strengthening Victoria’s statewide clinical sexual health system would not only support our progression toward the virtual elimination of new HIV transmissions, but it would put us in a better position to respond to new and emerging outbreaks like Monkeypox.

Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth

“Victorians have benefitted from bipartisan support for effective actions on HIV, and the shared understanding that key to an effective response is government working in meaningful partnership with community-controlled health services and people living with HIV (PLHIV),” said Richard Keane.

A copy HIV & AIDS Priorities can be found at: thorneharbour.org/HIVAIDSPriorities2022

21 Jul 2022

New Resources for LGBTIQA+ People Navigating Australia’s NDIS

Thorne Harbour Health and Inclusion Melbourne have released a set of resources for LGBTIQA+ people with disability to understand their rights and navigate Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

LGBTIQA+ people with disability consistently indicate that they have had poor experiences navigating both the NDIS planning process and working with NDIS registered providers in addressing their specific intersectional needs.

The suite of resources includes:

  • Knowing Your Rights: Disability & LGBTIQA+ Australians
  • Preparing for your NDIS Plan
  • LGBTIQA+ Clauses for Your Contract

Community advocate Ruby Mountford was the project lead on the partnership between Thorne Harbour Health and Inclusion Melbourne.

Unfortunately, the needs of LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities have not been adequately understood or valued. These resources have been developed in collaboration with a group of LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities – built from their collective wisdom and their experiences navigating systems, services and LGBTIQA+ spaces.

Ruby Mountford

“While we want to see the systems that support people with disability build their capacity to better work with LGBTIQA+ people, we also want to equip our communities with the tools they need to make sure their needs and identity are respected. People with disability can use these resources to learn about their rights and embed them into contracts they sign with people they hire to support them,” said Inclusion Melbourne’s Nathan Despott.

“As we continue to take collective action to advocate for the improved health and wellbeing of our LGBTIQA+ communities, we need to ensure LGBTIQA+ people with disability have the resources they need to protect their rights and get the best possible results when engaging with a NDIS registered provider,” said Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth.

All three resources are available online at: thorneharbour.org/disabilityresources

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