Labor Supporting And Celebrating LGBTIQ+ Victorians
The Andrews Labor Government has always proudly stood with Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ communities – making it clear equality is not negotiable.
We have banned the cruel and bigoted practice of conversion therapy, delivered adoption equality and an historic apology for gay convictions in the Victorian Parliament.
Labor established Australia’s first Pride Centre – a purpose-built community hub in St Kilda for the LGBTIQ+ community, bringing support services together under one roof – and named Australia’s first Equality Minister and LGBTIQ+ Commissioner.
We’ve backed Melbourne Pride and launched the first state-wide celebration of LGBTIQ+ Victorians – Victoria’s Pride – so that every Victorian can be proud to be who they are, wherever they live.
But we know the fight to make sure all LGBTIQ+ Victorians are equal, visible, safe and celebrated is far from over.
That’s why a re-elected Labor Government will invest $22.2 million to boost LGBTIQ+ community organisations, pride events and health services.
We’ll back vital and much-loved community organisations such as Midsumma, peer support service Switchboard, JOY 94.9, Minus8 and the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, with $8 million to celebrate and connect the LGBTIQ+ community.
A $9.7 million investment will boost the number of community and mental health providers that are Rainbow Tick accredited by around 200, delivering better care for LGBTIQ+ Victorians and making sure they are safe and included.
We’ll invest $4.5 million to set up a pilot program to address the needs of ageing LGBTIQ+ Victorians. The Pride in Ageing pilot will be designed with LGBTIQ+ communities, the Commissioner for Senior Victorians and Switchboard, helping to ensure older LGBTIQ+ Victorians have the dignity they deserve.
Matthew Guy’s Liberals will cut protections for LGBTIQ+ Victorians – including the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. They are also happy to meet with anti-trans groups, with Matthew Guy refusing to condemn the homophobic and transphobic views of Liberal candidates.
Matthew Guy personally voted against the birth certificate reforms and said he would abolish Safe Schools, putting young LGBTIQ+ Victorians at risk.
LGBTIQ+ Victorians deserve to be treated with dignity and respect – only Labor is making sure every Victorian is supported, visible, safe and equal.
Quotes attributable Premier Daniel Andrews
“Only Labor is doing what matters – reinforcing that equality is not negotiable in Victoria.
“We’re proud to stand with LGBTIQ+ communities against discrimination and hate and make sure they are supported, safe, celebrated and equal.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Equality Harriet Shing
“You can’t trust Matthew Guy’s Liberals on equality when they’ve already said they’ll cut Safe Schools and the Equal Opportunity Act – endangering the lives jobs of LGBTIQ+ Victorians – and Matthew Guy has personally endorsed homophobic and transphobic candidates.”
“We have banned conversion therapy, funded Safe Schools and delivered the first state-wide celebration of LGBTIQ+ Victorians. Only Labor will support LGBTIQ+ Victorians and continue to make sure our communities are safe and celebrated – because only Labor will keep doing what matters.”