Headspace to celebrate LGBTIQA+ community with queer stories series

HEADSPACE centre’s across Geelong are speaking out for young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ with a selection of online videos and content being released to celebrate queer stories.

In recognition of the role that LGBTIQA+ play at headspace, the organisation have launched Out-Spoken – a video series consisting of five episodes that feature queer young people from across the country.

The new series talks about a variety of topics including being your authentic self , advice for family and friends of LGBTQIA+ young people, finding connections with others in the LGBTQIA+ community and a video on how the LGBTIQA+ community brings joy.

The organisation said they are thrilled to spread and celebrate queer stories with the community, particularly in support of the 30 per cent of young people accessing headspace services who are from the LGBTQIA+ community.

“It’s heartening to see so many LGBTQIA+ young people know help is available and that they trust headspace to support them in tough times,” headspace Geelong’s Community Engagement, Monica Fleming said.

“The stories in Out-Spoken are empowering because they show us the sense of joy and pride that the LGBTQIA+ community shares.

“We want queer young people to know they are seen and loved by their communities, and we want our community to become an even more welcoming place for young people to be their authentic selves.

“Headspace online peer support moderator Zoe Tizard is one of the young people featured in the Out-Spoken series and said she hopes LGBTQIA+ people in Australia know they are never alone.

“It’s OK to ask for help from your friends or family – or even professionals like headspace,” Tizard said.

“I found online communities, like Q-headspace, where you can remain anonymous, really great places to start learning more about my identity and to connect with other LGBTQIA+ young people.”

The series release is said to coincide with the Sydney World Pride event as well as Melbourne’s Midsumma festival which headspace will both feature prominently at this month.

In celebration of queer pride, headspace is also offering young people from the region an opportunity to march with them at the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade.

The Out-Spoken series is available for viewing at headspace.org.au/lgbtiqaplus/