SAFE spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth should be trialled in Geelong and Ballarat, according to a taskforce that has handed its report to the Victorian government.<\/p>\n
The taskforce, chaired by Member for Western Victoria and Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick, acknowledges the struggles of LGBTQIA+ youth and the need for Safe Spaces in the Geelong region and Ballarat.<\/p>\n
To be trialled for five years in each of the two cities, the two Safe Spaces would include referral and access to greater services, emotional support, and funding.<\/p>\n
Queer Space and Drummond Street in Geelong and the Surf Coast, and SPEAK in Ballarat, have been identified as the non-government organisations to run the centres.<\/p>\n
The report includes funding requests of $650,000 in the first year, $900,000 in the second year, $1.1 million in the third year and $850,000 across years four and five.<\/p>\n
Mr Meddick handed the taskforce\u2019s report for consideration in the coming state Budget to Minister for Health and Equality Martin Foley in Geelong last week.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrans, non-binary and gay youth struggle in rural communities – this is my experience as both a parent and a politician,\u201d Mr Meddick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing a successful trial of Safe Spaces in Geelong and Ballarat, I\u2019m hopeful this project can be rolled out right across Victoria.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so proud of the work I\u2019ve been able to do in parliament to support the LGBTQIA+ community – which includes my two wonderful children. The proposed Safe Spaces can help to fill a huge gap in youth services and I\u2019ll do everything I can to see it through.<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernments, medical facilities and community services can all provide clinical support to our youth but if emotional support – that feeling of knowing you are worth something – is not there in abundance, then tragedies are inevitable.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said Mr Foley\u2019s commitment to LGBTIQA+ people should be be noted, and thanked the Victorian government for their ongoing and public support for the entire LGBTIQA+ community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis work has been in response to a number of young people in the community tragically taking their own lives after not being able to access support in a way that was easy and accessible to them,\u201d Mr Meddick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was honoured to convene several round tables to listen to young people in the community, to hear their stories and work to a solution that was guided by their needs, not anyone else\u2019s perceptions of what we felt was appropriate for them.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SAFE spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth should be trialled in Geelong and Ballarat, according to a taskforce that has handed its report to the Victorian government. The taskforce, chaired by Member for Western Victoria and Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick, acknowledges the struggles of LGBTQIA+ youth and the need for Safe Spaces in the Geelong […]<\/p>\n