The Victorian Government is standing with transgender and gender diverse Victorians, their families and carers, with funding to expand access to vital mental health and support services.
The Government will deliver a $900,000 package to eight organisations to help respond to the additional demand these services are seeing following the events of the last week.
Funding will go to essential services that support Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ communities year-round, including:
• Mind
• Transcend
• Transgender Victoria
• Switchboard
• Zoe Bell Gender Collective
• Thorne Harbour Health/Equinox
• Rainbow Families
• Queerspace
The toxic public debate around the hurtful, divisive ‘Let Women Speak’ march – an anti-trans rally – last weekend has had a significant impact on members of the transgender community, and on their loved ones.
This package will boost counselling and family therapy, referrals and peer support to ensure LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their families and carers can get the support they need – and that they know it’s available.
Just as LGBTIQ+ Australians should never have been subject to a plebiscite on whether they deserved to marry theperson they love, transgender Victorians should not have to endure their worth being debated by a so-called ‘mainstream political party.’
“Trans people routinely endure abuse, violence, and discrimination in the name of free speech, and the past week has caused further trauma for an already vulnerable group,” said Minister for Equality Harriet Shing.
“Trans people deserve better, and this funding will help organisations to provide crucial support, safety, and care.”
Image: Pride Progress Flag (sourced)