As thousands of South Australians prepare to take part in this weekend’s annual LGBTIQA+ Pride March through the streets of Adelaide, the State Government has announced members of its promised 13-member LGBTIQA+ Advisory Council.
Minister for Human Services Nat Cook will chair the Council and said it was part of the Labor Government’s commitment to engage directly with communities.
While the wider community and workplaces have come a long way and continue to progress in regard to inclusion, there is still work to do.
Current issues include: discrimination across the rainbow spectrum but particularly for gender diverse and expansive people; rates of suicide and self-harm across gender expansive young people; safety in families for young people who identify on the spectrum; limited supports for queer people experiencing Domestic and Family Violence; homophobia and transphobia; systemic barriers, especially to people who would like to socially or medically transition, but find the processes unsupportive, expensive, emotionally draining and difficult to navigate.
The new LGBTIQA+ Advisory Council will seek to achieve true inclusion for members of the LGBTIQA+ community in the public sector, in businesses and workplaces, and right across South Australia.
Members of the new LGBTIQA+ Advisory Council designed to deliver community issues direct to the Minister include community leaders Brett McAloney and Varo.
“This is not a ‘look what we’re doing’ group – ticked that box. My intention is that through co-design with members, it will directly deliver information and valued opinion regarding issues in the community around participation and inclusion,” says Minister for Human Services, Nat Cook.
“It’s a direct line to me as the Minister responsible. Doing this will enable me to translate that narrative across government into policy and legislation. This level of accountability is appreciated by the community and means messages are delivered straight to me.
“I’m looking forward to hearing ideas and contributions from its members at our first meeting which will be held in December.”
The LGBTIQA+ Advisory Council will support the Department of Human Services in its role as steward of LGBTIQA+ inclusion within the South Australian public sector as well as more broadly across the South Australian community.
Council members:
Aston Hawkins-Nicholls – he/him
Brett McAloney – he/him
Jody Anderson – they/them
Olympia Balopitos – they/them
Varo – they/them
Desmond Ford – he/him
Sean Henschke – they/them
Lucy Hacksworth – she/her
Lucy Solonsch – she/her
Steven Moran – he/him
Anna Moffat – she/her
Michelle Hok – she/her
Megan Barnes – she/them
LGBTIQA+ Advisory Council member Jody Anderson says “I was very happy to accept the invitation to join the Council. The government has the ability to change the laws that enable people to live their best lives and has the direct ability to remove systemic barriers to LGBTIQA+ people in a multitude of areas.”
“It’s an opportunity to explore gaps in service provision in areas that the Government is responsible for, such as health, safety, Family and Domestic Violence and education.
“It’s hoped the Council will have some influence on changing a culture via policy and can take a lead on discrimination. Governments that provide increased opportunities for the LGBTIQA+ community to participate in places and spaces allow for diversity to flourish and bigger contributions to communities.”
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