Loading ...
I recently attended the ALSO Rural Forum in Ballarat. The forum was a timely opportunity for people like me, who live and work in the city, to remember and recognise that GLBTI people live beyond the tram line.
I was also able to catch up with some of my Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers in person rather than via email or phone. GLLOs from Rosebud, Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong attended the event.
The ALSO Foundation did a great job of bringing together different people to network, share experiences and explore opportunities for GLBTI people who don’t necessarily have direct access to GLBTI-friendly services.
Sessions were held for rural GLBTI people to hear firsthand about recent changes to federal and state legislation. These included the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, the Equal Opportunity Act, assisted reproductive technology, the federal welfare system, and the new Fair Work system.
There were sessions on health and wellbeing, homophobia in sport, seniors and aging and my session on community safety which also included presentations from Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria and the Anti-Violence Project. It was a packed two days.
For me the highlight was the launch of the OUTthere Rural Council. This is a council of people aged 15-24 who represent a number of rural same-sex attracted youth groups from areas like Warrnambool, Ballarat, Bendigo, Kyneton and Morwell. The council was launched by Helen Szoke, CEO of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
The OUTthere Rural Council aims to raise awareness about the needs of same-sex attracted young people and the nature and effects of homophobia in rural Victoria. Having seen the young people involved in this council I am confident the future leadership of the GLBTI communities is in strong and capable hands.
I left the two-day forum with a belief that life in the country is a great one, with a range of GLBTI people living happily and harmoniously. People are living, working and recreating with the knowledge of ever-improving service delivery from a host of different mainstream and GLBTI organisations, including Victoria Police.
Visit the ALSO Foundation website at also.org.au for outcomes and reports from this inaugural Rural Forum.
info: Scott Davis, manager Gay and Lesbian Advisory Unit. melbourne.gllo@police.vic.gov.au
Tags: ALSO Rural Forum, Gay and Lesbian Advisory Unit
August 5th, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
http://www.gay2shareworld.com – Australia’s Resource For Gay News!
December 10th, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
Be awarded pounce on on