Morgain praised for bridge-building

Community groups have applauded outgoing ALSO Foundation CEO Lyn Morgain for her community work as she leaves to manage Western Region Health Centre.
ALSO Foundation president Jason Rostant said Morgain’s three years with the organisation had been key in building stronger partnerships with various sections of the GLBTI community, particularly seniors, young people and the transgender and Indigenous communities.
“One of the great legacies Lyn will leave for the organisation is ALSO is now very much a central and visible player in the community, with strong and productive relationships with other organisations,” Rostant said.
“[During Lyn’s time], ALSO has been working with sections of the community that perhaps the organisation hasn’t had such a great deal of engagement with in the past, so it’s certainly much more inclusive [and] supportive.”
Rostant said ALSO has moved away from just compiling a community directory and holding dance parties to more strategic advocacy work.
Morgain will perhaps most be remembered by the community for taking a strong anti-homophobia stand in the mainstream media, placing an ALSO-led community advertisement in The Sunday Age denouncing former state premier Jeff Kennett over his reported gay slur.
Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby co-convenor Hayley Conway said the Lobby will miss an important ally.
“Lyn’s been of great assistance to the Lobby in her role at ALSO but also as an individual providing advice and mentoring various Lobby members,” Conway said.
Transgender Victoria spokeswoman Sally Goldner said ALSO was able to shake off a predilection to be “too white gay male” with Morgain at the helm and made inroads for the trans community setting up a permanent space for the Zoe Belle Gender Centre.
Morgain will continue to represent Australia and New Zealand on the International Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board.
Her final day at ALSO is October 23.