Statewide award for 2 Spirits
The 2 Spirits Project — the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Project at Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC) — has won the Collaboration for Change Award at the 10th Deadly Sex Congress in Surfers Paradise.
The project, now in its 15th year, provides education, community development, one-on-one support and advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men and ‘sistagirls’ across Queensland.
It is funded by the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and M.A.C Cosmetics, as well as some funding from government grants.
The Deadly Sex Congress and associated Awards Night is an annual gathering of workers in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sexual health field, and includes delegates from as far north as the Torres Strait through to delegates from close to the New South Wales border.
The Collaboration for Change Award recognised the project’s efforts in collaboration with community groups, elders, and other health organisations.
“This award recognises the substantial effort from the entire 2 Spirits team in collaboration with various people across the state to bring about change to many LGBT people, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men and sistergirls,” project manager Michael Scott said.
“The work we do at Deadly Sex sets the foundation for further collaboration in remote and regional communities, where trust and building rapport are vital steps in the collaboration process.”
This is the second time in three years the project has had success at the awards — the project’s Brendan Leishman won the Outstanding Contribution in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Award in 2010.
