We’re in the middle of Midsumma, Melbourne’s queer arts and cultural festival, for and by LGBTQIA+ communities, and it’s a great time to remember the importance of connecting with your community.
There was a huge community support and services presence at Carnival, the festival’s opening event, and there’ll be a very loud and visible show of the LGBTQIA+ community at Pride March in St Kilda on Sunday 29 January, 2017. It’s a good time to connect to the right people that can support you.
Here are just some of the LGBTQIA+ support groups and networks you can access.
annecto. Contact annecto on (03) 9687 7066 if you identify as LGBTIQ and are an older person, or a person with a disability, or their carer requiring support.
The Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council is a great first point of contact if you’re from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and looking to get involved in multicultural GLBTIQ communities.
Coming Out Australia offers information, advice, support and referrals to groups and helplines for people who are coming out about their sexuality as well as their families.
Vintage Men Incorporated is a support group for older gay men that meet regularly, get out and about and basically show that life doesn’t need to stop as you get older.
The AIS Support Group provides peer support, information and advocacy for intersex people and their families.
Bisexual Alliance Victoria provides a fun and safe place where bisexual people can meet, access support and share stories and feel accepted.
Genderqueer Australia is a peer support group for gender-questioning, genderqueer and trans people, their families and friends. They meet monthly, and their website has a lot of valuable resources.
FTM Australia offers peer support, information and resources for people who were identified as female at birth and have transitioned to male.
Transgender Victoria advocates for justice, equity and quality health and community services for trans and gender diverse people, their families and friends.
Switchboard is a free telephone counselling service that specialises in LGBTIQ issues and concerns, and provides referrals and information.
QLife is a national counselling and information service that provides both telephone and online peer support for the LGBTIQ community, and they’re available 3pm to midnight every day.
Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria (GLHV) is a Victorian Government-funded unit that focuses on the health and wellbeing policies and resources for the LGBTIQ community, and has programs in sexual health and ageing and LGBTIQ-inclusive practices.
The National LGBTI Health Alliance is Australia’s peak health organisation and includes groups and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and resources for the LGBTIQ community.
Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) tackles HIV/AIDS awareness and provides services, support, education and information, especially in the LGBTIQ community.
