- Published:
- Tuesday 18 May 2021
In Victoria, equality is non-negotiable. All Victorians, no matter how they identify deserve to feel safe, supported, and equal – including in their health and wellbeing.
In the Victorian Budget 2021/22, the Andrews Labor Government is delivering $45.4 million to celebrate our LGBTIQ+ community, while also investing in the practical support LGBTIQ+ Victorians deserve.
An $8.8 million funding package will support wellbeing services for LGBTIQ+ Victorians – including $6.4 million for Rainbow Door, a free specialist helpline providing information, support and referrals to LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their family and friends.
A $2.4 million investment will support Victoria’s Healthy Equal Youth project – a program aimed at supporting the health and wellbeing of young LGBTIQ+ Victorians.
For many LGBTIQ+ Victorians it’s difficult to find services that provide the tailored support they need. This Budget includes more than $21 million for the Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Health’s Gender Clinics to support trans and gender diverse young people with life-saving mental health and wellbeing services.
A further $4.6 million will deliver the development of a diverse communities’ mental health and wellbeing framework and blueprint for action. Under this investment, the Labor Government will work with the community on how we can improve mental health and wellbeing support, including a dedicated focus on LGBTIQ+ Victorians.
An additional $9 million will also support community organisations and peak bodies to help LGBTIQ+ Victorians navigate vital services, as we continue our total rebuild of our mental health and wellbeing system.
The Labor Government is providing a further $1 million to bring to life Melbourne Pride 2021 – a large-scale event in metro Melbourne, along with smaller community based events in regional areas, that will give all Victorians the opportunity to celebrate and show our support for the LGBTIQ+ community.
The Labor Government continues to support our next generation of LGBTIQ+ leaders and LGBTIQ+ organisations impacted by the coronavirus pandemic with an additional $1 million for the LGBTIQ+ Grants Program.
This Budget will help achieve equality for all Victorians and help improve the lives of our LGBTIQ+ community.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Equality Martin Foley
“We won’t rest until we have achieved equality for all LGBTIQ+ Victorians and this Budget provides strong ground for us to ramp up our efforts to improve the lives of rainbow communities throughout the state.”
“To improve the wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ Victorians we know it’s important to provide practical support, including opportunities to connect and celebrate who they are – which is exactly what this Budget delivers.”
“Our Trans, Gender Diverse and Non-Binary Victorians deserve to feel safe, supported and comfortable in their own skin, which is why we’re continuing our vital support for Victoria’s gender clinics.”