The government of Western Australia has spent $900,000 (US$591,390) towards developing a strategy aimed at fostering inclusivity for individuals such as those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender in the region.
Spearheaded by the Department of Communities, this endeavour will allocate the funds to three not-for-profit organisations over two years—Living Proud, TransFolk of WA, and GLBTI Rights in Ageing Inc.
They will serve to amplify the voices of, for example, queer people, by facilitating phone services and peer support networks.
The Western Australian government said that the need to implement this strategy is pressing as the LGBT community faces “significantly higher levels of stigma.”
“We know that young LGBTQIA+ people are far more likely to face discrimination and exclusion, which is completely unacceptable in 2024,” Minister for Youth, Hannah Beazley, said on Feb 23.
“Equality and freedom from discrimination are fundamental human rights that belong to all of us, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
In addition, the government plans to a establish a peak body to implement the strategy and increase the representation of the LGBT community at a national level.
The strategy will involve a collaboration among various government agencies, including the Departments of Communities, Education, Health, and the Mental Health Commission in Western Australia.
Queer Hub Unveiled
This initiative coincides with Australia launching its first queer history museum on Feb. 23, with the assistance of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a significant investment from the New South Wales government, and a $1 million donation from News Corp chairman Lachlan Murdoch.Once a police station that jailed queer people, the site opened to the public as Qtopia Sydney over the weekend, as a museum to showcase the LGBT community through history, culture, and art exhibitions.
“The strength of this great nation is diversity and it must always be, not tolerated, it must be celebrated, and that is what Qtopia is about,” Mr. Albanese said at the launch.
Following a $6.7 million (US$4.4 million) upgrade, the venue has been transformed into a entertainment hub with a theatrette for hosting performances and school tours.
Qtopia’s founder David Polson, one of the first 400 men to be diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Australia, said that there is more to be done to improve the rights of the queer community.
“You think we’ve got marriage equality, you think everything’s great, it’s not. There [are] still elements out there who are trying to rip everything away from us, so we have to keep educating people about queer life,” Mr. Polson said.
“The HIV/AIDS epidemic wiped out a good third of our population in Sydney alone.”
Qtopia was the vision of David Cooper, Mr. Polson’s doctor, and an HIV/AIDS researcher who envisioned an AIDS museum in Sydney, which has come to fruition thanks to Mr. Polson.
