ACT funds gay programs

The ACT government has set aside almost $200,000 for LGBTI-friendly initiatives and programs over the coming year.

In the 2013-14 budget handed down earlier this month, the territory government earmarked $120,000 of funding for LGBTI community support network Diversity ACT, as well as another $70,000 worth of capital works funds to help build counselling spaces.

Diversity ACT Committee Services President Ian Goudie said the funding would “raise awareness and provide support” to the Canberra LGBTI community.

“This is the first LGBTIQ-specific organisation to be funded by any government in Australia. The awarding of recurrent funding to Diversity ACT is a sign of the ACT government’s true commitment to making Canberra Australia’s most LGBTIQ-friendly city,” Goudie said.

Founded last year, Diversity ACT is the Territory’s largest LGBTI community organisation and has received high levels of support from local government and Canberra’s growing LGBTI population. Deputy Chief Minister and Treasurer Andrew Barr became Australia’s first openly gay Cabinet minister in 2007.