The call for change

LGBTIQA+ voices are at the heart of Victoria’s first LGBTIQA+ strategy. These voices are central as we design programs and deliver on our commitments.

Capturing the views, hopes and wishes of Victoria’s diverse LGBTIQA+ communities is central to understanding how government can respond to the challenges facing LGBTIQA+ people, communities and organisations. Our consultation highlighted the various ways government can work in partnership with LGBTIQA+ communities to achieve greater equality.

We thank all the Victorians who shared their personal experiences and stories during consultation by attending a workshop, making a submission or completing a survey. Victorians made these contributions during a time of heightened stress for communities, as we contended with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

We must also acknowledge the support of Victoria’s Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities in bringing together LGBTIQA+ Victorians. The former Commissioner, Ro Allen, attended all 41 targeted community workshops.

Through the generous contributions of LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their families, advocates, allies and the broader community, we came up with seven themes for improving the lives of LGBTIQA+ communities:

  • protecting human rights and access to justice
  • intersectionality and inclusion
  • representation and participation
  • LGBTIQA+ inclusive and accessible services and community
  • connecting within and between LGBTIQA+ communities
  • data, research and evidence
  • targets, monitoring and reporting.

Key consultation statistics

  • 1,600+ contributions from people and organisations, some more than once
  • 1,280 Engage Victoria survey responses
  • 41 online workshops
  • 97 written submissions:
    • 42 submissions from non-government organisations
    • 22 submissions from individuals
    • 16 submissions from LGBTIQA+ community organisations
    • 15 submissions from government organisations (including local councils)
    • two submissions from groups affiliated with universities
Rainbow colours symbolising the LGBTIQA+ community

Updated