The 2014 Act came into effect in July 2014. It introduced new principles to support people experiencing mental illness to make and participate in treatment decision (shared decision making) and to have their views and preferences considered and respected.
Statewide Mental Illness Learning Exchange
LGBTIQA+
LGBTIQA+ is an evolving acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual/aromantic. The plus sign indicates that this acronym is not exhaustive, for example identifiers such as sistergirls, brotherboys, non-binary and pansexual alongside many others are used to describe experiences of gender, expression, sexuality and sex characteristics within our communities.
Resources and referral pathways
In this section we will explore specific resources and referral pathways for LGBTIQA+ communities.
All resources and referral points have been gathered from either Queer Community Controlled Organisations or queer-friendly ‘mainstream’ services. If you can’t find what you are looking for please see our directories lists.
Be you. Do you. Celebrate you.
LGBTIQA+
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Are there dedicated mental health considerations/services for LGBTIQA + communities?
Yes there must be dedicated mental health considerations for LGBTIQA+ communities as our communities continue to be over represented within the domain of mental ill health. Remember being LGBTIQA+ doesn’t make us sick; the conditions created by white supremacy, colonisation, capitalism, ableism, classism, cissexism and heteronormativity (to name a few) all interlock to create overarching oppression(s) in which we and other marginalised communities constantly resist.
A world without homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, intersexism and queerphobia will result in a more equitable world for all. Or in the wise words of the late Marsha P (pay it no mind) Johnson “You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights.”
We recommend you visit each website of interest as all services and resources offered by the following organisations are not all listed here.
For up to date local and national research undertaken for LGBTIQA+ communities please head to the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society and Rainbow Health.
Switchboard the Rainbow Door intersexis a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Rainbow Door supports people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing. Through advice, referral and support from an experienced LGBTIQA+ peer, Rainbow Door will help LGBTIQA+ people navigate the system to access the supports we need.
Switchboard is a proud partner of QLife. QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships. The QLife family includes hundreds of highly experienced LGBTIQ+ staff and volunteers Australia-wide. If you’re looking to connect with someone to explore what’s going on in your life, we’re here to take your call or webchat.
Queerspace is an LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing support service established in 2009 by LGBTIQ+ communities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Queerspace has a focus on relationships, families, parenting and young people (to name a few) and offers co-located services across the north-west metropolitan region of Victoria.
Transgender Victoria is the leading body for trans and gender diverse advocacy, training, and resource development in Victoria. They work to achieve justice, equity and inclusive service provision for trans and gender diverse people, their partners, families and friends. TGV work with and for the trans and gender diverse community to create positive change in human rights and policy development. TGV represent the community by challenging discrimination, and assist in the empowerment of trans people, so that they may lead full and meaningful lives.
Intersex Peer Support Australia IPSA is an intersex peer support, information and advocacy group for people born with variations in sex characteristics and their families. We tackle stigma and misconception surrounding intersex through education, and advocate on issues affecting the wider intersex community. We work towards improving affirmative healthcare, fostering intersexy pride, strengthening our community and deepening social culture. IPSA is a peer-led, not-for-profit intersex organisation and a registered health promotion charity.
Intersex Human Rights Australia IHRA is a national not-for-profit company by and for people with innate variations of sex characteristics. We were formerly known as OII Australia. We promote human rights, health and bodily autonomy. Our goals are to help create a society where intersex people are not stigmatised, and where our rights are recognised.
Thorne Harbour Health runs a wide range of peer groups and services. Thorne Harbour Health envisions a healthy future for our sex, sexuality & gender diverse communities, a future without HIV where all people live with dignity and wellbeing. As a community-controlled organisation, they are governed by their members and work for people living with HIV as well as our sex, sexuality & gender diverse communities.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, (formerly the National LGBTI Health Alliance), is the national peak health organisation in Australia for organisations and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and research focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people and other sexuality and gender diverse (LGBTIQ+) people and communities. Dropping the “+” from our name only occurs within digital formats that do not allow mathematical symbols, such as within our domain name, handles and hashtags.
AusPATH actively promotes communication and collaboration among professionals and community members involved in the health, rights and well-being of trans, gender diverse and non-binary people.
Independent Mental Health Advocacy IMHA, our advocates are on your side. They are independent from hospitals and mental health services. Our service is free and confidential.
Victorian Transcultural Mental Health is the state-wide peak body that supports the mental health of diverse people, communities and systems.
Hearing Voices is a peer led group for people diagnosed with schizophrenia. Despite being relatively common, many people who hear voices, see visions or have similar experiences feel alone. Fear of prejudice, discrimination, and being dismissed as ‘crazy’ can keep people silent. At a time when we are told that it is ‘time to talk’, it is important that anyone courageous enough to speak out is met with respect and empathy.
Beyond Blue celebrates the strength, resilience, and diversity of LGBTIQ+ communities. The majority of lesbian, gay, bi, trans, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+)1 people lead happy, healthy, fulfilling lives. However, studies have found that non-heterosexual people face up to twice as much abuse or violence (including physical, mental, sexual or emotional) than their heterosexual counterparts. This prejudice and discrimination adds an additional layer of risk on top of biological, social, environmental and psychological factors which can lead to depression, anxiety and suicide.
The Melbourne Clinic is Australia’s largest private mental health service providing 203 inpatient beds, standalone Day Program centre, an Outreach Program, consulting suites at three locations and a Consultation Liaison service.
How can I support an LGBTIQA+ person surviving/managing their mental ill health?
LGBT ME: A Conversation on Mental Health within the LGBT Community (short documentary)
There isn’t a one size fits all approach when it comes to supporting your LGBTIQA+ loved ones however you can take action to educate yourself on being the best support you can be.
North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network in collaboration and consultation with the LGBTIQA+ Suicide Taskforce have created the following resources, inclusive of free to access suicide prevention training for allies and LGBTIQA+ communities.
Queerspace and Switchboard offer supports for loved ones of LGBTIQA+ peoples who are experiencing mental ill health, contact them for more information.
If you are LGBTIQA+ and struggling financially or don’t have the energy to shop and cook reach out to The Food Angels (LGBTIQA+ Mutual Aide). Founded in loving memory of Bridget Flack this service is by community, for community, more for you here .
Are there dedicated considerations/health services for LGBTIQA+ communities?
The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Gender Service aims to improve the physical and mental health outcomes of children and adolescents who are trans or gender diverse. Being trans or gender diverse is seen as part of the natural spectrum of human diversity.
Equinox is a peer led Trans and Gender Diverse and Non Binary health (TGD&NB) service operated by Thorne Harbour Health, formerly Victorian Aids Council. Equinox is a health and wellbeing service for the TGD&NB communities.
Your Community Health is funded by the Victorian Government to increase health services across Victoria for TGD&NB people aged over 18. A clinic is run through Your Community Health in Preston and Ballarat. NB. Currently undergoing Rainbow Tick Accreditation
The Monash Health Gender Clinic is a specialist public health service for TGD&NB communities in Victoria. The Clinic is a state-wide service that provides individualised, consumer centred care for the trans, gender diverse and non-binary peoples, their families and partners.
Northside Clinic is an independent and private general practice in Melbourne’s Inner North. This clinic is open to all and has particular focus on quality medical care in a safe and friendly environment for LGBTIQA+ and/or HIV positive communities in Melbourne’s north.
Prahran Market Clinic is medical general practice supported by allied health providers. Particular focus is placed on sexual health, gay, lesbian and gender diverse health. The clinic is well regarded and respected for its involvement in HIV clinical research trials and for the teaching of medical students.
Are there services or resources that apply a harm minimisation lens for LGBTIQA+ communities?
Whether its sex, drugs or rock n roll or a combination of all three, plan to keep it safe and keep it fun.
Touchbase https://touchbase.org.au/ is a peer led guide to all things harm minimisation whether you want to learn more about the intersections of alcohol and drugs, mental health and sexual health. There’s also a handy toolkit to help you play safe.
Star Health Harm Reduction Services https://www.starhealth.org.au/services-2/harm-reduction-program/- is available for access to clean needles (fits packs), peer education, medically supervised injecting services, and overdoes training programs and pill testing. NB. Rainbow Tick Accredited
Resources
LGBTIQ+ First Nations
Black Rainbow We currently support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQA+ people through a variety of community projects and initiatives that we have, and continue, to develop. We call these initiatives Contagion of Love projects.
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation VACCHO currently has a program lead working within the LGBTIQA+ First Nations space, get in touch with VACCHO for further information.
BLAQ Aboriginal Corporation https://www.blaq.org.au/about-about BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation was established as a collective response to the identified need for strengthened visibility of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQA+ community. We aim to foster pathways that provide informed and authentic representation that positively impacts the social and emotional wellbeing of our people.
Tekwabi Giz is a national collaboration of people and organisations from Aboriginal, Torres Strait and South Sea Islander descent who are working with LGBTIQA+ people across Australia. Tekwabi Giz works in partnership with the National LGBTIQA+ Health Alliance, as part of the MindOUT project. They provide advice and support to the Alliance and its member organisations to better work in recognising and meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Koorie Pride Victoria’s aim is to help elevate and support LGBTIQA+ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples through visibility across Victoria. This page is open to all LGBTIQA+ peoples, our allies and anyone interested in the work we do. Please search Koorie Pride Victoria on Facebook to join.
Sistergirls & Brotherboys Gender diverse Aboriginal Sistergirls and Brotherboys … we also invite family friends and supporters to join our closed group. Please search Sistergirls & Brotherboys on Facebook to join.
Elizabeth Morgan House deeply welcomes sistergirls, non binary and/or First Nations trans women, women and femmes of trans experience to their service. NB. Currently undergoing Rainbow Tick Accreditation
LGBTIA+ older persons
Alice’s Garage is a social enterprise empowering older LGBTI people. We strengthen the voices of older LGBTI people, draw on their knowledge and skills to address the challenges they face and build communities where LGBTIphobia and ageism are addressed. Our purpose is to address the inequalities older LGBTI people face related to ageism and the legacies of our LGBTIphobic histories. Our vision is to build a sense of Place, belonging and community connection for older LGBTI people – and to inspire others to do the same. Alice’s Garage is part of the Celebrate Ageing Program, a social enterprise challenging ageism and building respect for older people.
Val’s LGBTIQ Ageing and Aged Care Improving healthy ageing pathways for older LGBTI people, their visibility, and inclusion.
Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) Housing for the Aged Action Group welcomes all members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) communities to access our housing services, to participate in our organisation and our campaigns for housing justice, and to work with us.
Switchboard Out and About program. Friendship and community connections for older LGBTI Victorians. Our service continues with the option of in person visits or virtual / phone / mail contact. Volunteer visitors are trained in COVID-19 infection control. New referrals to use our service are still welcomed at this time.
Coming Back out Ball (All the Queens Men) The Coming Back Out Ball is a spectacular social event celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Gender Diverse and Intersex elders.
LGBTIQA+ CALD, newly arrived and/or refugee and asylum seekers
Australian GLBTIQ+ Multicultural Council The national peak body for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer individuals and community groups of multicultural and multifaith backgrounds.
Forcibly Displaced Peoples Network We work towards a world where LGBTIQ+ forcibly displaced people are included in societies and are safe, free and supported.
Many Coloured Sky Strengthening LGBTIQ+ community for all. Peer to peer, queer to queer. Many coloured sky supports LGBTIQ+ organisations with capacity building, planning and project development and empowers those at the margins and intersections of LGBTIQ+ communities to participate fully and equally.
PacifiqueX www.pacifiquex.com Awareness. Empowerment. Celebration. We work together as one community to bring healing, celebration, story-telling and advocacy. Our community in Victoria (Australia) is rich with multicultural people from all parts of the globe, our vision is to celebrate our identities and bring awareness to issues that pertain to our unique Pacific Islands LGBTIQA+ community of Victoria.
Yellow Kitties is a social support group for asian lesbians, bi, questioning, intersex, trans and gender diverse peoples of all ages. We are located in Melbourne, Australia. Partners and friends are also welcome, regardless of their nationality. We organise regular social events … a lot of them involving food!”
Gay Asian Proud (GAP) is a social group for same sex-attracted Asian men based in Melbourne and wider Victoria. We welcome gay, bisexual, trans and queer men of all Asian heritage and ages to join us. Members come from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life. The group is run by volunteers and peers who share similar life experiences and come from relatable backgrounds.
Please see the AGMC directory for LGBTIQA+ groups not mentioned here for eg, Muslim, Jewish, Greek, Maltese and LatinX
LGBTIQA+ disability
Thorne Harbour Health aims to build the capacity of individuals for self-advocacy as well as confidence and community connection for people with disabilities. In addition to our NDIS Services, check the resources we developed in partnership with Inclusion Design Labs for LGBTIQA+ people with disabilities. With an aim to foster a greater sense of connection, we also have a number of community profiles featuring the rich diversity of people with disabilities in our communities.
Pride Disability Services sexual orientation and gender diversity have long been taboo subjects within the disability support sector. It has long been the stigma that individuals living with disability are non-sexual beings and any expressions of sexuality by them have been treated as sexual deviancy. Pride Disability Services understands that ALL human beings have sexual needs and desires and that others struggle with their sexual and gender identities. The marginalisation suffered by LGBTQI+ individuals living with disability in particular is two fold. We created Pride Disability Services as a safe space for all LGBTQI+ individuals living with disability to fully express who they are and be celebrated, connecting them with other like-minded individuals and support workers as well as the greater LGBTQI+ community as a whole.
CoHealth Diversexy is a peer led online sexual rights workshop designed to build your confidence and self-esteem around sexual and reproductive health and increase your understanding of healthy intimate relationships. NB. Currently undergoing Rainbow Tick Accreditation
DesignLab LGBTIQA+ autism self advocacy toolkits. LGBTIQA+ autistic people experience greater difficulty in accessing healthcare that meets their needs. The resources that comprise Self Advocacy in Healthcare are designed to bridge the gaps between autistic LGBTIQA+ individuals and healthcare professionals within a patient centred multidisciplinary model and ensure informed consent is met. Due to the different expressions of the autistic experience, many autistic people feel misunderstood during medical appointments and healthcare treatment. This, combined with healthcare access issues faced by members of the LGBTIQA+ community, can result in LGBTIQA+ autistic people struggling to have their basic healthcare needs met. This resource was developed in response to the needs of LGBTIQA+ autistic communities, including members from Spectrum Intersections and beyond. This toolkit has been co-designed by autistic LGBTIQA+ people for autistic LGBTIQA+ people to allow them an opportunity to self-advocate through the healthcare system.
LGBTIQA+ housing
Family Access Network (FAN) FAN’s Homeless Support Services (HSS) is a collection of specialist programs funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). These programs aim to support young people aged from 15-25 years, who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. HSS supports a diverse client group which consists of single young people, LGBTIQ young people, young pregnant and young people, young families and accompanying children. The program provides access medium transitional housing for the young people and support to address any other barriers the young person may be facing.
Ozanam House VincentCare Providing flexible accommodation options as well as health and wellbeing services in North Melbourne to people experiencing homelessness. NB. Rainbow Tick Accredited
LGBTIQA+ employment
WorkingOUT is a free employment service delivered by Expression Employment for LGBTIQA+ people who are facing barriers to finding a job.
MatchWorks We understand that the LGBTQIA+ community often experience invisibility, discrimination and exclusion in the workplace. We connect you to employers who value diversity and inclusion in their workplace. We also provide ongoing support to assist you and your employer with lasting employment. NB. Currently undergoing Rainbow Tick Accreditation
LGBTIQ+ Legal
LGBTIQA+ peer led and/or peer advised legal services that cover a broad strata of domains inclusive of criminal and civil legal aid:
Fitzroy Legal Service is a proudly inclusive organisation and an ally of LGBTIQA+ communities. Appointment based LGBTIQA+ family law legal advice available on the first Wednesday of each month.
St Kilda Legal Service provide free help for LGBTIQA+ peoples in Victoria with their legal problems including discrimination, family violence, change of name issues and more. Legal service covers a broad strata of criminal and civil legal support for members of the LGBTIQA+ communities. Nil fee general inquires, legal help and advice.
Roberta Perkins led an extraordinary life as an activist, advocate and academic. She was a pioneer in the fight for trans rights and the rights of sex-workers in Australia. The Roberta Perkins Law Project is a social innovation pilot project funded by the City of Melbourne and their services are delivered by St Kilda Legal Service in partnership with St Kilda Legal Service and Transgender Victoria.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission fact page on LGBTIQA+ rights.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (non LGBTIQA+ led) NATSILS represents and is the national voice of community-controlled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services. We advocate at the national level for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the justice system and work to ensure that our peoples have equitable access to justice. We recommend utilising members under NATSILS such ie. the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (currently working towards Rainbow Tick Accreditation) VALS offers caring and tailored services that are inclusive of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and which embrace diversity. We welcome all eligible members of the community regardless of ability, colour, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, intersex variation or religion access our services, to participate in our organisation and to work and volunteer with us. Whatever your background, you will receive a safe and respectful service. At VALS we are committed to working with you to understand your diverse needs and strengths. NB. VALS is currently undergoing Rainbow Tick Accreditation
LGBTIQA+ family violence and/or intimate partner violence
Undercurrent is an independant LGBTIQ+ community funded/community controlled not for profit. Undercurrent provides community education surrounding building healthy relationships and challenging the attitudes, beliefs and actions that enable violence, with an emphasis on intimate partner/family violence, violence in LGBTIQ+ relationships, and gendered violence. Undercurrent has devised a comprehensive resource guide surrounding LGBTIQ+ access to local services inclusive of queer community controlled and mainstream family/intimate partner services alongside C19.
Switchboard W/Respect provides confidential counselling and referral for LGBTIQ+ peoples experiencing or enacting family/intimate partner(s) violence.
Thorne Harbour Health ReVisioning is an accredited, 20 week men’s behaviour change program that supports gay,bi/bi+ or queer cisgender and trans, trans masc, trans non binary men who have/are enacting harm in their intimate relationship(s).
Queerspace Futures Free From Violence is a program which offers lesbian, bi/bi+ queer cisgender and trans, trans femme, trans non binary women who have/are enacted harms in their intimate relationship(s) the opportunity to work towards change in both a supported group and one to one therapeutic environment.
Sex Workers
These organisations/collectives actively resist the Nordic model and support the decriminalisation of sex work in Victoria.
Scarlett Alliance (peer led) Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association, through our objectives, policies and programs, aims to achieve equality, social, legal, political, cultural and economic justice for past and present workers in the sex industry, in order for sex workers to be self-determining agents, building their own alliances and choosing where and how they work.
Scarlet Alliance works towards sex worker rights (legal, health, industrial, civil) and uses health promotion approaches to achieve this. Scarlet Alliance promotes best practices including peer education, community development, community engagement and advocacy.
Vixen Collective (peer led) is Victoria’s peer only sex worker organisation, as recognised by Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Worker Association. We promote the cultural, legal, human, occupational and civil rights of all sex workers. Vixen Collective is an unfunded organisation run entirely by sex workers volunteering our time and energy. ‘Peer-only’ means that our organisation is made up of current and former sex workers. Peer-only sex worker organisations do not allow the owners and operators of sex industry businesses, or ancillary staff in the sex industry (people such as managers, receptionists, drivers and cleaners) to participate. We are an organisation run by sex workers, for sex workers.
RhED (mix of non-lived experience and peer led) Resourcing health & Education (RhED) is a service for the sex industry in Victoria. The service provides site based and outreach services in collaboration with relevant programs and agencies. RhED adopts a broad definition of sex work that is inclusive of those engaged in the provision of sexual services and sexually explicit entertainment. RhED is committed to respecting and reflecting the needs of the sex industry, and actively promoting the rights of sex workers. NB. Rainbow Tick Accredited
Haven’t found what you are looking for?
LGBTIQA+ directories:
– Australian LGBTIQA+ services directory – Equality Australia
– Cultural Rainbow Service directory – Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council
– Victorian Pride Centre directory
With special thanks to
Many people have contributed to the development of this project through research, focus groups, advice, information and ideas. We would like to acknowledge and thank all who have contributed and supported us in our endeavor.
Michelle Bullivant Pronouns they/she, Peer Working Group I Nurse Unit Manager, St Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, Public Campus
Mx Christina Hotka Pronouns they/them/theirs, LGBTIQA+ Safety and Responsiveness Project Officer, St Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy Public Campus
Bridget Murray Peer Support Worker & Consumer Consultant, Pronouns : She / Her, Group Program and Brief Interventions Team, St Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy Public Campus
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If you are having thoughts of suicide, or severe self-harm please follow your crisis plan. If you do not have a crisis plan please call your treating clinician, therapist, general practitioner, one of the numbers listed below or go to the Emergency Department of the nearest hospital. In a life-threatening emergency ring 000.
Phone numbers and other supports that can be contacted in a crisis:
Life Line: 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au
Sane Helpline: 1800 187 263 | www.sane.org