Wednesday, 22 March 2023

Bass electorate LGBTIQA+ support

Jordan CRUGNALE (Bass) (19:03): (112) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Equality, and the action I seek is an update on the work the Andrews Labor government is doing to support our LGBTIQA+ communities in the Bass electorate and across Gippsland, particularly for our trans and gender-diverse communities. Locally, we are so lucky to have the wonderful support services and fantastic events that celebrate and support our LGBTIQA+ communities, their families and allies, and I would like to shout out the Gippsland Pride Initiative, Casey Rainbow Community, the Casey Rainbow Community living library project, YES Youth Hub in Wonthaggi and Cardinia shire youth services as just a few of the incredible local services who are working hard to ensure our community members at a local level feel loved, supported and seen. It is so important as a community that we are able to wrap our arms around our trans and gender-diverse community and their loved ones and make sure they know they are welcome and supported.

Next month the wonderful Bass Coast Youth Pride Prom is happening in Inverloch. In June this year we will see two very exciting pride events in the area, with the Gippsland Ranges Roller Derby Pride Cup and the Gippsland Pride Initiative’s annual Pride Gala, and I understand both of these events have been made possible through funding from the Victorian government. I am very proud to be a part of the Andrews Labor government, who have brought forward some important changes to the lives of our LGBTIQA+ communities, including banning conversion therapy practices, allowing trans members of our community to change their gender on their birth certificate and allowing same-sex couples to adopt. I ask the minister: will you please provide me with an update on other funding initiatives and programs that are available to ensure that LGBTIQA+ community Victorians, especially trans and gender-diverse people, are welcomed and supported in Gippsland and particularly in my electorate of Bass?