Cash grants for Victoria’s GLBTI support groups

Cash grants for Victoria’s GLBTI support groups

The Brumby Government has made its strongest commitment to Victoria’s  GLBTI community yet, announcing wide-ranging support ahead of that state’s November 27 election.

If re-elected, the Brumby Government would commit $2.5 million over four years to support the community in a variety of anti-homophobia initiatives.

“We believe in a society that embraces diversity,” Premier John Brumby said in a statement.

“A re-elected Brumby Government would support our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities and ensure their members are safe, valued and respected.”

Support would include $400,000 to support  a GLBTI peak body to represent community; establish a whole-of-government advisory committee on GLBTI issues; provide $50,000 annual ongoing funding  the Midsumma Festival; commit $100,000 over two years for a summit with Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria to address GLBTI issues; $200,000 over four years to support the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard; and $200,000 for the Anti-Violence Project to support victims of homophobic crime.

Crusader Hillis, CEO of Victorian GLBTI advocacy group the ALSO Foundation, said it was a “red letter day” for the Victorian GLBTI community.

“Through these election pledges, the State Government has offered the resources that will better enable GLBTIQ Victorians access to full citizenship within the State of Victoria,” he said.

“The Government’s planned investment in community organisations will allow our aspirations for capacity building and the development of our community to become a reality”.

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5 responses to “Cash grants for Victoria’s GLBTI support groups”

  1. Paul-

    The Labor Party is not promising anything with teeth. A look at it? A look at the recommendations? Well often this involves none or one or two only.

    What is wrong with spelling out what you are proposing? What is wrong with saying what you are going to do?

    The Labor Party has no problem with this on many areas such as tax or education policy or hospitals or gaming etc, but when it comes to all the magnificent colors of the rainbow they do not celebrate diversity. They are supporting the Federal Government School Chaplains program being increased to a thousand Chaplains with no training on students who might have trouble with there sexuality. They are opting for promoting suicide in Victorian Schools when students are confronted with Chaplains calling them an abomination.

    There talk of our relationships reminds me of the Real Julia Gillard moving forward to move backwards to move forward. It is a total mess. It disgraces good people in loving relationships everywhere.

    I am sorry but I am not part gay, or a little bit gay, I am bloody gay and proud of it. I am not part in the closet, not a bit. I want government to understand that. I think the Labor Party does not get what being me is.

    Cheers,

    Dave

  2. Once again it is all spin with these labor goons. The real issue here is Labor being trumped by the Greens who have ALWAYS put forward anti-discrimination policy with teeth. We got a taste of Rob Hull’s brand of anti- discrimination policy this year in the sate of Victoria when faith based tax payer funded organizations were still allowed to discriminate against the LBGT community. His response was “… this is getting the balance right…” Mind you, I must say that I enjoy and take a certain satisfaction on the panic of Labor losing it’s grip on inner city seats to the Greens. Revenge and just-come-uppance can be oh so sweet. And to John Brumby and his insincere labor rabble…suffer baby. The Greens are a commin!

  3. Dave that is completely incorrect, adoption laws under the Adoption Act 1984 are currently under review and the Government of Victoria will consider the 2007 recommendation to allow adoption for same sex couples!!!!!

    Also the Relationships Act 2008 of Victoria is also under review in regards to residence of Victorians applying to register their relationship if one of the partners lives in Victoria and also the interstate and international relationship recognition (similar to what Tasmania just implemented)!!!

    http://www.alpvictoria.com.au/about/our-platform/

    It is all in this Labor report: “Our Platform Chapter 6: A fairer Victoria”
    STRENGTHENING EQUITY
    6.15 Labor will build upon previous legal achievements to implement equality in practice, so that every area of policy is inclusive of the needs and interests of all Victorians—
    including lesbians and gay men, and bisexual, transgender and intersex people—
    without discrimination.
    Building on reforms in 2001 to recognise domestic partnerships, and recent significant legislative changes to dignify same-sex and other unmarried relationships in law through the Relationships Register, and to make Assisted Reproductive Technology available without discrimination, Labor will:
    • Reform the eligibility requirements of the Relationships Register so that only one person in the
    domestic partnership need have a connection with Victoria,
    • Reform the law to treat couples registered under equivalent laws in other states and territories
    and overseas as if they were registered in Victoria; and
    • Continue to work within existing Ministerial Council process to examine the recommendations
    on adoption in the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s 2007 final report on Assisted Reproductive Technology and Adoption, and through a review of the Adoption Act 1984.

  4. I am not convinced to move my vote away from the Greens.

    Same-Sex adoption is not on offer, only another look at it. Same-Sex Marriage is not on offer, nor Civil Unions.

    Labor might well be scrambling to stop the Green Vote but it is as though Labor still has problems with the GLBTQI Community while the Greens have no problems.

    Labor is offering part acceptance only. I want full acceptance and laws to support this.

  5. It is a wonderous day to see a labour government shed the shackles of its Catholic wowser membership and to tackle these issues openly and head on. I have been bashing my head against brick walls in schools for years trying to get some proactive and open support for same-sex attracted students – finally there is a glimmer of hope!

    we still keep hearing people screaming “oh, we don’t want to be seen promoting a homosexual lifestyle” but that’s exactly what we need to be doing. Promoting a homosexual lifestyle for homosexuals is actually a really good thing!!!