LGBTQIA+ Resources

• Display a Safe Space Sticker (or other welcoming posters / flags) prominently in your space. This is a visual clue for the LGBTQIA+ community that you are an ally.
• Wear a rainbow lanyard and pronouns badge.
• Share your pronouns on socials and in emails.
• Speak up against discrimination.
• Introduce yourself with your pronouns, so others also feel comfortable sharing theirs.
• Ask someone how they would like to be referred to and learn how to use gender-inclusive language in your community space, workplace or business.

What to do if your child comes out to you: https://www.minus18.org.au/articles/listen:-what-to-do-when-your-child-comes-out

• Build your company knowledge by engaging in LGBTQIA+ inclusion training.
• Develop and share your LGBTQIA+ inclusion policies with your staff and community.
• Encourage staff to celebrate each other by participating in Trans Awareness Week, Pride Month, Wear It Purple Day, IDAHOBIT, etc.
• Display a Safe Space Sticker (or other welcoming posters / flags) prominently in your space. This is a visual clue for the LGBTQIA+ community that you are an ally.
• Make your support part of your workwear. Wear a rainbow lanyard, add your pronouns to your name badge, on socials and in your email signature.
• Speak up against discrimination.
• Introduce yourself with your pronouns, so others also feel comfortable sharing theirs.
• Ask someone how they would like to be referred to and learn how to use gender-inclusive language in your community space, workplace or business.

The LGBTQIA+ acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and/or Aromantic.

Sometimes you will see a P on the end, which means Pansexual.
Other times you may also see the letters, S and B. These stand for Sistergirls and Brotherboys.

The + represents other identities that don’t quite fit other labels, or identities that we don’t quite have the language to describe yet.

Read more.

Despite the fact that queer people are represented much more frequently in pop culture today, there is still a lot of misinformation around what it means to identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

It wasn’t that long ago that being gay was illegal! And, same-sex marriage was only legalised in Australia in 2017.

However, sexual and gender diversity is part of our normal human experience. Our gender identity and expression, and the way we experience attraction and who we are attracted to is different for everyone.

Imagine feeling like who you were on the outside, doesn’t match who you are on the inside. This is exactly how some gender diverse people feel and is nothing to be ashamed of. Finding a way to feel safe in our bodies, and expressing who we are authentically is part of learning how to live authentically.

By visibly normalising these experiences, we allow people to feel safe, accepted and welcome for who they are. This is extremely powerful – especially in a world that is as politically divided as we are today.

Even the smallest gesture is noticed. Got a question? Let us know.

Sex

• Our sex is determined by our physical body, such as genitals or hormones.
• Intersex people are those born with sex characteristics (genitals, hormones, etc) that don’t fit the medical or social norms for male or female bodies.
• Intersex people have a diversity of bodies and identities. Learn more about what it means to be intersex.

Bonnie’s Story (intersex)

Stephanie’s story (intersex)

Sexuality

• This term describes how and with whom we experience attraction.
• This could mean romantically (who you love) or sexually (who you want to be physical with).
• Labels that describe sexuality include: lesbian, gay, asexual, aromantic, straight, pansexual.

Gender

• The most common misconception about gender is that is a binary (male/female). However, this binary is a social construct informed by a mix of cultural, religious and societal ideas and beliefs.
• Gender is tied to our sense of self and internal identity, it is not static and can change over time.
• Your gender identity personal to you and only you know how you feel about your gender. Sometimes this may mean that you don’t identify with the sex you were assigned at birth, meaning you feel like a woman who expresses themselves biologically like a man, or vice versa.
• In this case, you might decide to transition to be able to express yourself in a way that matches how you feel – this is what it means to be transgender.
• Some of the terms you may be familiar with are cisgender, transgender, gender diverse, gender-fluid or non-binary. These are all different ways to describe the way people identify with their gender.

Read more about sex, sexuality and gender.

5 Non-binary people explain what is means to them 

What do sex and gender have to do with religion?

• Diverse City – program hosted by Headspace for LGBTIQAP+ young people (ages 12-25). Located in Beaudesert, Ipswich, Meadowbrook, Nundah, Woolloongabba. Contact headspace.Meadowbrook@stride.com.au
• Expanded Horizons – QSpace group program for young people (ages 12-25) identifying as LGBTIQAP+. Located in the Gold Coast. Contact 07 5528 5333 
• Interlink – peer support programs for intersex young people (ages 10+). Located in Brisbane and online via Zoom. Contact 07 3017 1724
• Rainbow Allsorts – group hosted by WWILD for LGBTIQAP+ people with intellectual disabilities. Contact 07 3262 9877
• Rainbow Chaos – monthly LGBTIQAP+ social group (ages 14-25) hosted by Headspace Ipswich, Ipswich Community Youth Service and Ipswich YMCA. Located in Ipswich. Contact 0417 551 000 YSS5@ICYS.org.au
• Rainbow Space – support group hosted by Younity for LGBTIQAP+ young people (ages 12-17) and their allies. Located in Deception Bay. Contact 0481 349 704 or 07 3204 0277 youth@younity.org.au 
• Third Queer Culture – peer support group Queer adults. Located in Brisbane. Contact thirdqueerculture@gmail.com
• Transilience – monthly group for young Transgender and Gender Diverse children (ages 6-12) and their parents/caregivers. Located in Brisbane. Contact 1300 364 277
• Transcendence – monthly social and emotional support group for Transgender and Gender Diverse people (ages 18+). Located in Brisbane, the Gold Coat & Sunshine Coast. Contact 1300 364 277
• Qheadspace – online chat group and resources for LGBTIQ+ young people 
• Brisbane Pride Choir – non-audition LGBTIQAP+ social choir. Located in Teneriffe, Brisbane. Contact 0415 817 652 info@brisbanepridechoir.org.au 
• PFLAG+ Brisbane – Support for families with LGBTQIA+ loved ones, provide community education about the issues facing the rainbow community

• Queer Aboriginal Voices Matter – panel discussion
• Brotherboys Yarnin’ Up – shared stories of brotherboy identities
• Living Black: Sistergirls – story of sistergirl identity
• Brotherboy 
• Human Rights 
• Simone and Rosalina’s Story – Sistergirls 

• Justice Connect
• LGBTI Legal Service
• Queensland Human Rights Commission: For LGBTIQ+ People
• Australian Human Rights Commission – LGBTI
• LGBTIQAP+ Policy Guide
• Outing Injustice – Report