South Australia launches LGBTI inclusion strategy

A SPECIFIC strategy to promote greater inclusion of LGBTI people has been launched by the South Australian Government.

Released by SA Communities and Social Inclusion Minister Tony Piccolo mid-last month, the Inclusion Strategy outlines ways the government can improve policies and services for the state’s LGBTI population and addressing continuing discrimination, stigma and personal safety concerns.

“Unfortunately discrimination, stigma, exclusion and even concerns about personal safety continue to be a real and unacceptable fact of life for family members, friends and colleagues who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer,” Piccolo said.

“This strategy is an important step forward in identifying and addressing such challenges, and provides numerous practical initiatives to be undertaken by government agencies.”

The strategy was developed by the Department of Community Services and Inclusion following consultation with government groups and people who had completed the SA Rainbow Survey or participated in one of the government’s community forums.

Five priority areas are listed in the strategy, including: social and emotional health and wellbeing; awareness and education; employment and opportunities; inclusive service delivery, and community engagement.

Part of the strategy requires departments to include LGBTIQ people in advertising, and for there to be “mechanisms in place to reduce and eliminate homophobia and transphobia in schools” including appropriate training for teachers on specific LGBTIQ issues.

The policy will undergo a review in three years time to rate its effectiveness.

INFO: To join the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion’s Rainbow Email Network and have your say in the policy, contact (08) 8415 4354 or [email protected]