Statement From The Minister For Equality

Today we celebrate our vibrant and diverse trans and gender diverse communities on Transgender Day of Visibility.

Recognising trans and gender diverse experiences and achievements is important, not just today, but every day. Trans and gender diverse people deserve equal access to opportunities – to be seen, heard, and loved. They are visible, proud members of our communities who deserve safety, dignity and equality.

In Victoria, equality is not negotiable. The Allan Labor Government stands with our lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) community every day to tell them they are loved, supported and celebrated.

We know that vilification has profound impacts for LGBTIQA+ communities, especially trans and gender diverse community members and that hurtful, divisive rhetoric compounds the abuse, violence, and discrimination they too often face.

That’s why last year, the Labor Government announced a $900,000 investment for eight organisations to increase mental health support for LGBTIQA+ Victorians, particularly trans and gender diverse Victorians and their families.

The Attorney General is also leading reforms to change legal protections to better prevent and address vilification towards LGBTIQA+ communities.

We’ll continue our nation-leading work to deliver true equality in Victoria - building safe, strong, and inclusive diverse communities in every corner of the state. We will continue to provide safe spaces and ensure there is a place for LGBTIQA+ Victorians to live visibly, proudly, and safely. 

We won’t stop until equality is achieved for all LGBTIQA+ Victorians. Our 10-year plan for driving equality across our state, Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ strategy 2022-2032, continues to underpin our relentless efforts to ensure LGBTIQA+ Victorians feel safe and respected, and can live visibly, wholly, and freely.

We invested $22.5 million in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to support LGBTIQA+ Victorians through programs including Pride in Ageing, Pride in Place, Q+Hub Ballarat and Geelong, Bendigo Pride and Bendigo Queer Film Festivals and the Queer Country Art Exhibition.

We are also boosting the number of community and mental health providers that are accredited through Rainbow Tick, a world-first framework for service organisations to demonstrate they are safe and inclusive for LGBTIQA+ people.

I am proud to continue this work and celebrate this important day as the Minister for Equality.