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                    For LGBTIQA+ communities

                    Three people with City of Melbourne rainbow hats, tshirts and flag at a pride network vent
                    We support diversity and inclusion across the City of Melbourne. We do this through our Pride Network and through events, resources and support services for LGBTIQA+ communities and their allies.

                    Discover below the many ways we’re making Melbourne a city for all people.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​About acronyms​

                    When referring to non-heterosexual populations and trans and gender diverse people, our preferred acronym is LGBTIQ​A+. This acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, questioning​ and asexual people.

                    We know there are many separate communities within this population, and when referring to LGBTIQA+ communities as a whole, we use this respectful collective address.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

                    When we reach out to older members of the community, we use LGBTI to avoid the term ‘queer’, which may still cause distress, and we strive to be specific when talking about specific groups within the community.

                    For partnerships with other organisations and community groups, such as Switchboard and queerspace, we reflect their preference for a change to this acronym.

                    Midsumma
                    Victoria's premier three-week LGBTIQA+ arts and cultural festival celebrates diversity and inclusion. It takes place in January and February across the city and is principally sponsored by City of Melbourne.

                    Events

                    ​​Find out about small and large events happening for LGBTIQA+ communities in the City of Melbourne.​

                    Midsumma​​​

                    Victoria's premier three-week LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural festival celebrates diversity and inclusion. It takes place in January and February across the city and is principally sponsored by City of Melbourne.​

                    Melbourne Queer Film Festival

                    A showcase for contemporary queer cinema from Australia and beyond. The largest queer film festival in the southern hemisphere screens in cinemas across Melbourne. 

                    IDAHOBIT Day

                    The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia calls on people across Australia to stand against discrimination and support our LGBTIQA+ mates, colleagues and families. IDAHOBIT Day takes place on 17 May.

                    YIRRAMBOI Festival ​

                    YIRRAMBOI festival platforms the intercon​nectedness and diversity of First Nations creatives, locally, nationally and internationally. 

                    Melbourne Awards ​

                    The Melbourne Awards are the City of Melbourne’s highest accolade, celebrating the inspirational Melbur​nians and promoting their work. One of the eight key areas is an LGBTIQA+ category, which is judged by members of the LGBTIQA+ community. The 2023 winner was the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre. 

                    In 2023 Young Melburnian of the Year was Ge​orgie Stone OAM, an actress and an advocate for trans and gender diverse children and youth. 

                    Melbourne's best dra​g shows and queer-friendly venues 

                    Head to What’s On Melb​ourne to discover fabulous events and inclusive events in the city. ​

                    Resources

                    We’re proud to provide and support a range of initiatives for our diverse LGBTIQA+ communities living, working, studying in or visiting the City of Melbourne. 

                    Community grants​​​

                    If you represent a community organisation that provides a great service for LGBTIQA+ communities, you may be eligible to receive funding as part of our various grant programs. 

                    In 2022/23, through the Connected Communities and Social Partnerships program, City of Melbourne supported numerous organisations and community groups, including: 

                    City of Melbourne Libraries ​

                    City of Melbourne libraries provide a safe and welcoming space for LGBTIQA+ community members and groups to meet and run events, as well as delivering events directly for the community. These include: 

                    • Trans and gender diverse writing group 

                    • Queer Book Club 

                    • Melbourne History Talks: Queer history in Melbourne 

                    • Queer Reads and IDAHOBIT reading lists 

                    LGBTIQA+ services for older people ​

                    Discover the events and services that the City of Melbourne facilitates specifically for older members of our LGBTIQA+ community.  

                    Rainbow LGBTIQA+ playgroup ​

                    Playgroups offer children the opportunity to learn through play and socialise with other children. We offer a range of playgroups across our family services locations, including a dedicated playgroup for LGBTIQA+ parents. 

                    queerspace  ​

                    As well as offering a range of health and wellbeing services, queerspace offers professional development for organisations who work with LGBTIQ+ people and their families. 

                    Q Fit LGBTQ Fitness Classes ​

                    The Q-Fit Program at Carlton Baths offers small group, queer-friendly fitness training with the aim to create a safe space and friendly environment for the LGBTIQA+ community, with the aim of making fitness more accessible. 

                    Victorian Pride Centre ​

                    Celebrate and protect equality in this new centre, which brings the Victorian LGBTIQA+ communities together in a single space.   

                    Inclusive language guide   ​

                    A handy guide that provides advice on the appropriate language to use when working with LGBTIQA+ communities. Developed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet for the Victorian public sector. ​

                    Support services

                    ​Switchboard Victoria

                    Switchboard offers peer-driven support services for LGBTIQA+ people, their families and allies, and counselling through its partner QLife. For older LGBTI people, Switchboard’s Out & About program supports intergenerational connection by connecting people with a friendly visitor.

                    queerspace

                    queerspace is an LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing support service that offers counselling, peer support and professional development for organisations who work with LGBTIQ+ people and their families.

                    Thorne Harbour Health​

                    Australia’s oldest LGBTI health organisation and Victoria’s largest, Thorne Harbour Health in South Yarra offers a growing range of health services and programs aimed at various LGBTI communities.

                    ​Pride in our organisation

                    As a leading organisation for a leading city, we foster a workplace that is inclusive, safe and respectful. We strive to nurture a culture of individuality, diversity and belonging, which means offering support to our LGBTIQA+ communities and staff. ​

                    Pride Network​

                    Our Pride Network launched in 2018. It brings together LGBTIQA+ employees and their allies who speak up so that people can bring their whole selves to work. 

                    The group began informally a year earlier, during the national debate on marriage equality. It was a difficult time for LGBTIQA+ staff and allies, and the focus of the network at that time was to provide support. During this time, Council expressed firm support of marriage equality and advocated strongly for a ‘yes’ vote.

                    The Pride Network is an important voice for LGBTIQA+ people and their allies and ensures our workplace continues to be aware and engaged. 

                    The group led the Pride Pledge, which asked all employees (regardless of whether they identify as LGBTIQA+) to commit to speaking out and acting against homophobia, biphobia, intersexism and transphobia, and support their LGBTIQA+ colleagues. The majority of our workforce has taken the pledge so far and LGBTIQA+ awareness training is providing important education and understanding.

                    The Pride Network also fosters important external partnerships and is actively involved in key initiatives and events, having represented us at Midsumma 2019, marched in the Pride March 2019 and helped raise the rainbow flag as part of IDAHOBIT Day​.

                    Strategies

                    City of Melbourne has committed to increasing workplace diversity and inclusion in the Inclusive Melbourne Strategy 2022-32.. Workplace LGBTIQA+ inclusion is also supported by the Gender Equality Act which includes tracking the experiences of staff and equality progress in a workplace audit. Strategies are included in the Gender Equality Action Plan 2022-25.

                    Pride in Diversity​​ 

                    City of Melbourne is a member of Pride in Diversity, which provides access to a range of services and supports. Each year City of Melbourne utilises: 

                    • LGBTIQA+ training sessions for staff through the year
                    • online training resources
                    • specialised staff training sessions each year
                    • access to LGBTIQA+ consultancy to support staff and leaders and workplace inclusion activities
                    • the use of the Australian Workplace Equality Index survey and assessment to support and track our progress.

                    Gender Impact Assessments ​

                    Under the Gender Equality Act, the City of Melbourne is required to complete Gender Impact Assessments (GIA) on new or revised policies, services or programs that have a direct and significant impact on community. While Gender Impact Assessments are primarily focused on gender equality, they will include LGBTIQA+ community experiences to create better and fairer outcomes and increase equal access to resources and opportunities. Since the start of the year, the City of Melbourne has trained staff, developed templates, resources and systems, and built a community of practice. Gender Impact Assessments have also commenced. These will ensure that new or reviewed activities go through a process that will include:  

                    • Understanding the experiences of LGBTIQA+ communities through evidence, engagement and/or accessing expert advice.
                    • Explaining how the activity will be changed to better support the needs of LGBTIQA+ community and support equality
                    • Making recommendations for the implementation of strategies.

                    Marriage equality

                    We were thrilled about the realisation of marriage equality on Thursday 7 December 2017. We actively advocated for marriage equality through this difficult time for our LGBTIQA+ friends and allies.  

                    We supported the campaign for marriage equality well before the plebiscite. Council unanimously resolved in 2015 to support marriage equality and called on the Australian Government to legislate for it. Then in the months leading up to the vote, we campaigned in support of marriage equality.

                    Council has also kept a relationship declaration register​ since 2007, to recognise the relationship status of couples irrespective of gender. 

                    ​​Victorian Pride Lobby’s ‘Local Council Candidate Pledge’ ​​

                    Launched in August 2020, the ‘Local Council Candidate Pledge’ campaign​ encouraged LGBTIQA+ Victorians to stand for council at the elections in October 2020 and identified candidates who are proud to publicly stand for the rights, safety and inclusion of LGBTIQA+ Victorians in their local community. As part of the campaign, candidates were encouraged to commit to the 5 actions in the ‘Local Council Candidate Pledge’. A summary of the alignment of City of Melbourne’s work to the actions is detailed below.  

                    Undertaking the Rainbow Tick accreditation for council run services

                    ​City of Melbourne is committed to ensuring our services and workplace support inclusion, safety and wellbeing for our LGBTIQA+ community. A range of resources and inputs are used in the design, delivery and review of services, policies and processes. This includes accessing tools and resources through City of Melbourne’s Pride in Diversity membership, undertaking the Australian Workplace Equity Index assessment, implementation of the Inclusive Melbourne Strategy 2022-32​ and the involvement of Melbourne Pride in the development of workplace strategies. 

                    Melbourne Pride is City of Melbourne’s active employee pride network, which is sponsored by the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, Strategy, Planning and Climate Change and championed by the Director, People Culture and Leadership.  

                    Given the range and effectiveness of existing resources and inputs used that ensure our services and workplace supports inclusion, safety and wellbeing for our LGBTIQA+ community, we will not be undertaking Rainbow Tick accreditation for specific council run services.  

                    Establishing an LGBTIQA+ advisory committee to council

                    ​City of Melbourne engages and seeks representation of LGBTIQA+ communities in the development and delivery of our services, policies and processes. Through the development of the Inclusive Melbourne Strategy 2022-32, members of the LGBTIQA+ community told us that they want to be consulted and included, be visibly represented, and see their lived experience incorporated into how and what Council delivers in the workplace and in community. Community members also wanted their multiple identities to be considered, through an intersectional approach to inclusion.  

                    City of Melbourne seeks to engage with our diverse communities, including LGBTIQA+ stakeholders, through a range of approaches, to ensure their voice, aspirations and needs continue to be built into our work.  This includes targeted community engagement, co-creation opportunities, focus groups, pop-ups and surveys. As part of this approach, City of Melbourne has started to collect baseline demographics of people involved in public consultation, with the intention to improve representation of target cohorts. Recent examples include community engagement regarding Greenline, where 22% of people engaged identified as LGBTIQA+ and neighborhood planning​ consultations over the last 12 months reaching over 7000 people with 17% identifying as LGBTIQA+.  

                    City of Melbourne will continue to proactively engage the LGBTIQA+ community through an intersectional, integrated and data-led approach.

                    Update​​

                    At the 7 March 2023 Future Melbourne Committee meeting, a petition calling for the establishment of a City of Melbourne LGBTIQA+ advisory committee was received by Councillors. On 5 June 2023 management provided a written response to this petition and other private correspondence received on the matter, in accordance with Council’s Governance Rules on petitions and joint letters.​

                    City of Melbourne remains committed to ensuring the aspirations and needs of our diverse communities are key inputs into decision making. We pride ourselves on being a city for all people and we will continue to proactively engage the LGBTIQA+ community through an intersectional, integrated and data-led approach.​

                    Developing and implementing an LGBTIQA+ action plan for council

                    ​Supporting an intersectional approach to inclusion, delivery of LGBTIQA+ initiatives are covered within the Inclusive Melbourne Strategy 2022–32 (and its first two-year implementation plan), and the Creating Communities of Equality and Respect: Women’s Safety and Empowerment Plan 2021–2024

                    Specific actions in the plans that relate to LGBTIQA+ outcomes include: 

                    • Increasing inclusivity of our programs, services, places and spaces and diversity of participation within City of Melbourne recreation and community services facilities, including for LGBTIQA+ community members. 
                    • Developing and implementing a Gender Impact Assessment process, which will ensure that the impacts on and the needs of the LGBTIQA+ community are considered in the revision and development of policies, programs and services. \
                    • Investing in women’s and LGBTIQA+ arts, festivals, conferences, and tourism in the municipality. 
                    • Partnering with Victoria Police, Crime Stoppers Victoria, Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, University of Melbourne and businesses on projects to prioritise the safety and participation of women and gender diverse people in the late-night economy. 

                    Additionally, Melbourne Pride has a 12-month work plan to support employee activities, with a focus on: 

                    • Supporting City of Melbourne to apply best practice as an organisation to embrace diversity 
                    • Providing support to LGBTIQA+ staff members, and  
                    • Identifying and addressing barriers which preclude the LGBTIQA+ community and LGBTIQA+ staff members from participating fully in the day-to-day operations of Council and improve wellbeing generally. 

                    City of Melbourne will continue to embed actions focused on improving LGBTIQA+ outcomes into the Inclusive Melbourne Strategy and its implementation plans. 

                    Flying the rainbow flag from council buildings on LGBTIQA+ awareness days

                    ​City of Melbourne’s protocols for flying of flags at Melbourne Town Hall, North Melbourne Town Hall and Kensington Town Hall, are based on State Government advice, which outlines the Australian, Victorian, the Aboriginal and City of Melbourne flags, are the only permanent arrangement. 

                    Flying specific flags on special commemorative or significant days, for example, United Nations Day, is also governed by advice from the State Government on when this should occur. 

                    To support our commitment to diversity and inclusion, City of Melbourne has a Pride flag in the foyer of the administration building of Melbourne Town Hall as a permanent inclusion. This signifies to anyone entering the administrative building, that it is a safe and inclusive space. Additionally, the Melbourne Town Hall is lit up on days of significance to the LGBTIQA+ community with Melbourne Pride informing the days that are selected.  ​

                    Marching at Pride March under a council banner or participating in Midsumma or local pride events

                    ​City of Melbourne supports Midsumma and a range of LGBTIQA+ festivals and events each year. As part of our support for Midsumma, the Melbourne Pride committee organises the participation of staff in the Pride March. Additionally, City of Melbourne works to ensure LGBTIQA+ performers, artists and representation at a wide range of events, festivals and activities including the recent staff 5-year celebration of marriage equality. 

                    Additional background information

                    ​At the 15 March 2022 Future Melbourne Committee meeting, Councillors sought responses from management to a series of questions arising from the approach City of Melbourne was taking to the ‘Local Council Candidate Pledge’. These are the questions and responses provided.


                    ​Question
                    ​Response from management

                    ​Is the City of Melbourne Pride Network adequately supported, and are there processes in place for human resources and executives to formally consider its advice? 

                    ​Melbourne Pride is a staff led LGBTIQA+ network that has the endorsement of the Executive Leadership Team with two Executives sitting as committee members. Melbourne Pride works closely with People, Culture and Leadership on workplace strategies to support inclusion. Melbourne Pride was established in 2017 and received $10,000 of funding from the organisation in its first year. In subsequent years initiatives put forward by the network have been funded by relevant work areas. This has included financial support for City of Melbourne involvement in Midsumma and in 2022 has included providing support for the staff 5-year celebration of marriage equality.  

                    ​What are the costs and benefits of Pride In Diversity membership and are Australian Workplace Equality Inde​x audits providing value? 

                    ​City of Melbourne is a member of Pride in Diversity, which is an investment of $6,200 +GST each year for workplace inclusion. Benefits of the membership include online training modules for staff accessible at any time, access to facilitated training sessions, ability to participate in the AWEI assessment, support to leaders through consultancy which has been used in the development of Inclusive Melbourne Strategy 2022–32 and other relevant internal strategies. Recently City of Melbourne has used training for Trans and Gender Diverse Awareness sessions, used consultancy for workplace strategies, and to support activities with Melbourne Pride.  ​

                    The Australian Workplace Equality Inde​x assessments are a valuable tool as a roadmap to continue our workplace inclusion and insights from the most recent assessment have supported the development of the Gender Equality Action Plan. City of Melbourne will also complete an assessment in 2023.  

                    ​Have any publicly facing services or programs been changed as a result of the Australian Workplace Equality Index advice? ​

                    ​The Australian Workplace Equality Index​ assessment is a valuable tool as it is a guide for improvement for LGBTIQA+ workplace inclusion, it does not encompass service delivery. ​

                    ​Would any Council services be suitable for Rainbow Tick Assessment? ​

                    ​City of Melbourne is focused on taking an intersectional approach to inclusion through the implementation and monitoring of the Inclusive Melbourne Strategy. This will ensure our services, programs, places and spaces are inclusive and accessible. Given the range and effectiveness of existing resources and inputs used, we will not be undertaking Rainbow Tick accreditation for council run services.  ​

                    ​What is the best way to consult ​LGBTIQA+ communities on Council policies, plans and programs? ​

                    ​Inclusive community engagement is a focus for City of Melbourne and it is important to ensure a range of approaches are used to ensure the voice, aspirations and needs of LGBTIQA+ community members continue to be built into our work. This includes targeted community engagement, co-creation opportunities, focus groups, pop-ups and surveys. When undertaking consultation it is important to ensure the language used for engagements is inclusive, hold autonomous spaces, hire LGBTIQA+ facilitators, make sure that intersectionality is considered in the communities that are being reached out to, de-identify any notes taken to respect community safety, invest in staff inclusive practice training and work directly with specialist organisations.  

                    These approaches have been used in the development of the Inclusive Melbourne Strategy 2022–23 and in service delivery such as in Youth Services and the Multicultural Hub.   

                    We are also ensuring that data is being collected to understand who we are engaging with and to inform where we need to take further steps to ensure inclusive representation. 

                    ​What might the purpose, scope and timing be for a potential action plan addressing LGBTIQA+ communities? ​

                    ​Delivery of initiatives addressing priorities for LGBTIQA+ communities are covered within the Inclusive Melbourne Strategy Implementation Plan 2022–​2024, supporting an intersectional approach to inclusion.  

                    ​Flying the rainbow flag from council buildings on LGBTIQA+ awareness days - Can existing practice be made policy? i.e. Flying the rainbow flag and lighting the Melbourne Town Hall in rainbow colours annually on IDAHOBIT and Wear It Purple Day. ​

                    ​City of Melbourne’s protocols for flying of flags at Melbourne Town Hall, North Melbourne Town Hall and Kensington Town Hall, are based on State Government advice, which outlines the Australian, Victorian, the Aboriginal and City of Melbourne flags, are the only permanent arrangement. To support our commitment to diversity and inclusion, City of Melbourne has a Pride flag in the foyer of the administration building of Melbourne Town Hall as a permanent inclusion.  ​

                    Council receives requests for lighting of Melbourne Town Hall façade for special occasions and provides a monthly briefing paper on management decisions. Through consultation with the LGBTIQA+ community and Melbourne Pride a calendar of days of significance are put forward under this arrangement. ​

                    ​Marching at Pride March under a council banner or participating in Midsumma or local pride events. Can existing practice be made policy? Such as City of Melbourne annual presence at Carnival and/or Pride March. ​

                    ​City of Melbourne is a principal partner of the Midsumma and will be present at the Carnival in 2023 to engage with LGBTIQA+ community around services and supports City of Melbourne provides. Melbourne Pride organises involvement each year and City of Melbourne’s ongoing participation is supported by the Inclusive Melbourne Strategy’s priorities which include ensuring our organisation is diverse and inclusive, and our services, programs and places are welcoming, safe and accessible. ​


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