Melton LGBTIQA+ Resources

• Equal Opportunity Act 2010: This Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, and other factors.
• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission: This Commission is responsible for enforcing the Equal Opportunity Act and providing information and support to people who have experienced discrimination.
• Marriage Equality: Same-sex marriages are legally recognized in Australia under the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017. 

• Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal: This Tribunal can hear complaints of discrimination and make orders to remedy discrimination.
• Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission: This Commission has a number of policies and guidelines on anti-discrimination, including the Guidelines for Preventing and Responding to Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
• The Victorian Government's LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy supports inclusivity and diversity of sexual orientations, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and pansexual.
• The Victorian Government's Gender Equality Act emphasizes the importance of gender identity and the need to support individuals with diverse gender identities, such as transgender, non-binary, and genderqueer.  

• Terminology: This suggested but not exhaustive glossary provides an overview of terms used in the LGBTIQA+ community, fostering understanding and respect.
• LGBTIQA+ Legal Service: This service provides free legal advice and assistance to LGBTIQA+ people in Victoria.
• LGBTIQA+ Human Rights: International and Victorian human rights frameworks protect the rights of the LGBTIQA+ community, ensuring equality and freedom from discrimination.
• Flags of the LGBTIQA+ community: Flags have always been an integral part of the LGBTIQA+ movement. They are a visible representation meant to celebrate progress, advocate for representation and amplify the demand and drive for collective action.  

Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20):  An annual observance honouring transgender lives lost to anti-transgender violence.

Midsumma Pride March (Typically in February/Dates may vary):  A public display of unity and diversity in the Melbourne LGBTIQA+ community.

Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31):  A Day dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of trans discrimination.

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex, and Transphobia/IDAHOBIT (May 17):  A global day of action highlighting violence and discrimination faced by the LGBTIQA+ community.

Pride Month (all of June) commemorates the LGBTIQA+ community's history, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality and acceptance.

Wear it Purple Day is held on the last Friday of every August and encourages supporters to wear purple to celebrate diversity and young people from the LGBTIQA+ community. This event is part of an ongoing effort to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people.

• Switchboard Victoria: provides peer-driven support services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTIQA+) community, their families, allies, and communities.
• Thorne Harbour Health: formerly known as the Victorian AIDS Council, provides support for the LGBTIQA+ community, including health information and counselling services.
• Queerspace at Drummond Street Services: is an LGBTIQA+ health and well-being service, which offers support, counselling, and community events.
• Transgender Victoria: advocates for the rights and well-being of trans and gender diverse people.
• Minus18: aims to improve the lives of LGBTIQA+ youth through events, resources, and campaigns.
• Rainbow Network: Rainbow Network provides resources and networking opportunities to individuals and organisations working with LGBTIQA+ young people.
• Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria: provides health-related resources, training, and research targeted at the needs of LGBTIQA+ people.
• Melbourne Bisexual Network: is a community where bisexual people and their allies can find information, resources, and social connections.
• Headspace Melton: provides mental health services to young people. They are inclusive and supportive of LGBTIQA+ youth.
• Djerriwarrh Health Services: provide a range of health services in the region and may be able to provide information on available LGBTIQA+ support services. 
• The Space LGBTQIA+ Group: a safe and inclusive social support group for same sex attracted, transgender, gender diverse and intersex young people.
• IDAHOBIT: This is the official website for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), observed on 17 May.  The site offers resources, event information, and guides on promoting LGBTQIA+ inclusion and fighting discrimination.

Equality and Respect - a gender equitable, safe and inclusive community

Reducing Racism - including a discrimination reporting tool

Community Playgroups - refer to information under Melton South re Western Parents with Pride: Kids & Parents Club!

The Space LGBTQIA+ group - a safe and inclusive social support group for same sex attracted, transgender, gender diverse and intersex young people.

Pride in Our Libraries – series of free engaging workshops and thought provoking talks that embraces the spectrum of identities within the LGBTIQA community throughout the year.