Views sought to shape city’s LGBTIQA+ action plan

THE City of Greater Geelong is seeking insights from the community on LGBTIQA+ inclusion as it begins developing its first action plan to drive improvements for the local rainbow community over the next four years.

The LGBTIQA+ Action Plan will identify the issues that specifically impact the rainbow community and outline a series of actions that respond to the community’s priorities and experiences.

Its creation follows a request from advocacy group Rainbow Local Government that the city develop such an action plan and will aid the city’s progress in meeting the Victorian government’s Rainbow Ready Roadmap.

Launched in May 2022, the roadmap supports the state government’s LGBTIQA+ strategy and provides regional and rural communities with a set of resources designed to bolster LGBTIQA+ inclusion.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan encouraged all LGBTIQA+ residents, visitors and allies to have their say, with the city seeking feedback on how inclusive the region is, where improvements can be made and the LGBTIQA+ community’s aspirations.

“While the city has been recognised for its work in the LGBTIQA+ space in the past, there is a lot of work to do,” he said.

“LGBTIQA+ residents make valuable contributions to our cultural and social fabric.

“We want to address the societal stigma, discrimination and other challenges that our Rainbow community experiences through the city’s first LGBTIQA+ Action Plan, to ensure a more inclusive region.”

Feedback will also be gathered from the city’s LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee, Rainbow Youth Advisory Group and Gender and Sexuality Program (GASP) participants, along with QHub’s LGBTIQA+ Service Providers Network.

Cr Sarah Hathway, chair of the city’s inclusion and care portfolio and its LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee, said the action plan linked strongly to the city’s strategic direction for a healthy, caring and inclusive community.

“This engagement will identify community and stakeholder aspirations for LGBTIQA+ inclusion with respect to the core principles of understanding, inclusion, visibility and safety.

“The city wants to have meaningful conversations with the LGBTIQA+ community to understand its key priorities to address over the next four years.”

To share your feedback before 5pm on September 16, or to register for a community workshop, head to yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/rainbow-ready