Be queer without fear

The Queensland Department of Communities will provide funding for the launch of a new LGBTI domestic and family violence resource.

The development and launch coincides with Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in May.

The Brisbane Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (BDVAS) will work in conjunction with the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities on the project, and they’ll also draw on the support of ACON’s Anti-Violence Project for content development.

The resource will provide Queensland-specific information about domestic and family violence, people’s rights and where to get help.

Domestic and family violence occurs at similar rates in the LGBTI community as it does in the broader community, but is often hidden, Many people do not access support services through fear of the lack of knowledge by services or discrimination based on their sexuality or gender identity.

An art competition has been launched for artwork for the resources, with prizes for all submissions included. Entries close on April 26.

The resource will be launched and competition winners honoured at an event on May 28.

Healthy Communities and BDVAS have been working in partnership to increase awareness about domestic violence within the LGBTI community in Brisbane.

This work has included training for BDVAS staff and other support services in how to become more inclusive of the needs of LGBTI service users, and the establishment of outreach services by BDVAS at Healthy Communities.

“I am pleased to be involved with this excellent collaboration between the organisations to produce a much-needed resource for the LGBTIQ community in Queensland,” Healthy Communities training and development coordinator Ricki Menzies said.

INFO: For more on the art competition, contact Kylie Robertson at [email protected] or 07 3029 7000.