Exploring experience through a new lens

FOUR organisations have partnered on a project aimed at educating the community on how to be a good ally to LGBTQIA+ young people.

Allied4’em is a two-part State Government funded project combing the lived experience of young LGBTQIA+ people aged 15 to 24 living regionally with the expertise and passion of Goldfields Libraries, Bendigo PRIDE, Arena Theatre Co and Castlemaine Youth Theatre.

Currently editing participants’ short films, the first part of the project, is 21-year-old project officer Saskia Peachy who said it was important to listen to the often-ignored voices.

“One participant said that a lot of their stories don’t get told and they don’t get listened to a lot of the time because they’re facing the barriers of being from an area like Bendigo that doesn’t get represented as much as somewhere like Melbourne,” she said.

“Being able to make some inroads into making yourself understood and respected is really important particularly for communities that do exist a bit outside of the mainstream.”

Leading the team is Robin Pearson who said “it’s great to start hearing different and new perspectives.”

“It’s been an absolute pleasure for me to look at my community through the eyes of the generation that’s coming behind me,” he said.

The second part of the project, a Zoom forum on good allyship, will be held on IDAHOBIT Day on May 17 from 6pm- 7pm. Registrations are open now at bit.ly/3bhEsup.