The Greater Geelong Council has strengthened its commitment to better support and engage with the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community by establishing an advisory committee.

Despite increased acceptance and visibility the region’s proud and vibrant rainbow community unfortunately still faces disadvantage such as discrimination stigma poor mental health and violence.

The establishment of an LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee presents an opportunity for the Council to more strongly engage with community members as it builds a safer and more inclusive region.

The committee 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.

The advisory committee will give invaluable insights into the impacts of council’s policies plans and services on the LGBTQIA+ community.

Greater Geelong Mayor Peter Murrihy;

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 Diversity Inclusion and LGBTIQ+ portfolio chair Councillor Sarah Mansfield to investigate the possibility of an LGBTQIA+ advisory committee.

Cr Sarah Mansfield  Diversity Inclusion & LGBTIQ+ portfolio: 

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.

Tonight 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 Community Life or delegate and up to ten 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.

A total of $20 000 from the 2022-23 Budget has been allocated for the establishment of the LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee.