The Andrews Labor Government is giving young lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) Victorians access to additional wellbeing support services located at safe spaces in western Victoria.

Minister for Equality Martin Foley today met with young LGBTIQ+ Victorians who will benefit from $3.2 million in funding in the Victorian Budget 2022-23 to support the design and delivery of LGBTIQ+ safe space services.

The funding responds to a community-led proposal that identified the need for further targeted LGBTIQ+ wellbeing support services in the region. Community stakeholders, including local councils, mental health service providers and LGBTIQ+ organisations, contributed to the project proposal.

The safe spaces will have intergenerational and peer support programs to support LGBTIQ+ young people and physical safe space hubs – connecting them with specialised mental health and wellbeing supports close to home.

The funding will support the establishment of at least two sites across Western Victoria over a three-year trial period. Community consultations will kick off this year to shape the design and delivery of the project.

The Labor Government is also providing $700,000 to 22 LGBTIQ+ organisations and groups across the state as part of the LGBTIQ+ Organisational Development Grants 2022 program.

This will allow them to build on the important work they do supporting LGBTIQ+ communities. Almost a third of recipients are based in regional or rural areas.

Recipients include 10 new or emerging organisations who will use grants of up to $25,000 to build skills or organisational governance, including Different Journeys, a peer support group who will use funding of $25,000 to help them engage with, support, and celebrate neurodivergent LGBTIQ+ people.

There are also 12 established organisations who will use funding of up to $50,000 to build sustainability and expand their work with diverse LGBTIQ+ communities across Victoria, including LaNCE TV, a regionally based LGBTIQ+ TV show that will use funding of $50,000 to support expansion and develop operational roadmaps.

To see a complete list of LGBTIQ+ Organisational Development Grants 2022 recipients, please visit www.vic.gov.au/successful-recipients-LGBTIQ-organisational-grants.

Quote attributable to Minister for Equality Martin Foley

“We are determined to improve the lives of LGBTIQ+ Victorians, wherever they live – including improving the support available to LGBTIQ+ young people, and backing LGBTIQ+ organisations to reach their full potential.”

Quote attributable to Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities Todd Fernando

“It’s fantastic to see the incredible, life-saving work happening across our rainbow sector. I thank the communities across western Victoria who came together to make a proposal that would support LGBTIQ+ young people.”