City to form committee for LGBTQIA+ community

THE City of Greater Geelong is aiming to work closely with the municipality’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) community through a new advisory committee.

Despite increased acceptance and visibility, the region’s rainbow community unfortunately still faces disadvantage, such as discrimination, stigma, poor mental health and violence, and the city says the LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee would help it build a safer and more inclusive region.

The committee, created by a resolution of councillors at their meeting last week, will provide advice and recommendations to council on issues and barriers that affect this priority group and their families, and how to address them.

Members will promote and advocate for equality and social inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The new committee adds to the range of support initiatives run by the city, such as the Gender and Sexuality Project for young people, staff training and IDAHOBIT and Wear It Purple Day events.

Geelong mayor Peter Murrihy said the advisory committee would give invaluable insights into the impacts of the city’s policies, plans and services on the LGBTQIA+ community.

“The LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee will play an important role in guiding council to address and reduce homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and other forms of sex or gender-based discrimination in the community.

“The new committee gives an official voice to the LGBTQIA+ community, aligning with the community’s aspiration in the 30-year “Greater Geelong: A Clever and Creative Future” vision to have a diverse, healthy and socially connected community”.

The move follows a successful notice of motion in June from Cr Sarah Mansfield to investigate the possibility of an LGBTQIA+ advisory committee.

She said community members have been asking councillors to create such a committee.

“Councils play an important role in building community inclusion. Council’s Social Equity Framework identifies the LGBTQIA+ community as a priority group for the City of Greater Geelong, due to the barriers and discrimination members face.

“By listening to the lived experiences and ideas of community members in the LGBTQIA+ community and taking meaningful action, we can improve health, wellbeing, and community participation.”

At the meeting, the council also endorsed the terms of reference for the committee, setting out the roles and responsibilities of the committee and its operations.

The committee will consist of one councillor, the city’s director of community life (or a delegate) and up to 10 community members.

The city will advertise its search for members early next month, with council expected to be appoint members in November and the first meeting proposed for February next year.

The city’s 2022-23 Budget allocated $20,000 for the establishment of the LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee.