A NEW safe space in the Geelong region for young lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) Victorians and their families to get support and build connection is now open.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday this week, Geelong MP Christine Couzens – representing Minister for Equality Harriet Shing – officially opened QHub Geelong alongside South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman.<\/p>\n
Co-designed with local young people, QHub aims to increase inclusion and improve mental wellbeing for LGBTIQA+ Victorians up to the age of 25 across regional Victoria.<\/p>\n
The newly refurbished site at 47 Yarra Street in central Geelong is the second QHub to open, following QHub Ballarat, which opened in 2023.<\/p>\n
Along with providing online support, QHub’s physical hubs are designed as central, affirming spaces that provide access to local youth-orientated mental health support, social connection opportunities and wellbeing activities.<\/p>\n
The Victorian government invested $3.2 million to deliver both QHubs, ensuring young LGBTIQA+ in western Victoria can get the support they need.<\/p>\n
“This new space is a great outcome for Geelong and Surf Coast youth and forms part of an historic trial of safe spaces for LGBTIQA+ young people in western Victoria,” Ms Couzens said.<\/p>\n
QHub is a Labor Government-funded LGBTIQA+ youth mental health and social connection program delivered in partnership with Drummond Street Services Queerspace, Wellways and Cafs Ballarat.<\/p>\n
Victoria’s first LGBTIQA+ strategy,\u202fPride in our Future, recognises that increasing mental health support and safe spaces for regional young LGBTIQA+ people is vital to improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes.<\/p>\n
The name QHub was chosen by 350 LGBTIQA+ young people and announced on Wear It Purple Day 2023.<\/p>\n
“QHub Geelong will give young LGBTIQA+ Victorians from across the region the safe space they need and deserve,” Minister for Equality Harriet Shing said.<\/p>\n
“Young members of our rainbow communities and their families in regional areas deserve to have access to the best LGBTIQA+ supports and opportunities, and this new safe space in Geelong is about creating just that.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A NEW safe space in the Geelong region for young lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) Victorians and their families to get support and build connection is now open. On Wednesday this week, Geelong MP Christine Couzens – representing Minister for Equality Harriet Shing – officially opened QHub Geelong […]<\/p>\n