Victoria will strengthen its push for equality, with the release of a landmark 10-year plan to drive inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) Victorians, including those living in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
At the annual Midsumma Pride March on February 6, Equality Minister Martin Foley released Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ strategy 2022-2032 – Victoria’s first long-term plan for LGBTIQ+ equality.
Victoria has made progress towards equality in recent years, removing discrimination from legislation, providing strong support for LGBTIQ+ organisations and events and delivering the Victorian Pride Centre, but a statement form the state government said there is always more to do.
The plan outlines four areas of reform – protecting equal rights and freedoms, making services more equitable, inclusive, and accessible, building evidence to drive decision making and ensuring LGBTIQ+ communities are safe and strong – which will underpin work across all government services and organisations.
It also includes specific actions the government will take over the next decade to ensure that all Victorians feel safe, are healthy, have equal human rights and can live wholly and freely.
The state government will kick the strategy off with an immediate $6.5 million investment to make organisations safer and more inclusive for LGBTIQ+ Victorians, support the health and wellbeing of people with an intersex variation and continue peer support for trans and gender diverse Victorians.
This investment will also include campaigns to tackle discrimination, making sure those who have been long excluded from services and opportunities in the community because of who they are, feel included.
The strategy has been shaped by more than 1,600 contributions from LGBTIQ+ people, organisations and allies.
Progress on the impact of this landmark strategy will be formally tracked and reported over its ten-year lifetime.
“We’re proud to stand with Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ community in today’s Midsumma Pride March, to send a message that in Victoria, equality is not negotiable,” Mr Foley said.
“Every day we will continue to work to improve the lives of people who are part of our rainbow communities – ensuring that all Victorians feel safe and can live freely.”
Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Todd Fernando said: “Our diverse LGBTIQ+ communities told the Victorian Government what support we needed to live the prosperous lives we deserve. This strategy is evidence that our experiences and ideas were heard and valued.”
Details: vic.gov.au/pride-our-future-victorias-lgbtiq-strategy-2022-32
