Council has now established the LGBTIQA+ Community Advisory Group to enable a process for engagement with members of the LGBTIQA+ and Maribyrnong community.

Purpose

The purpose of the Maribyrnong LGBTIQA+ Community Advisory Group is to advise Council on the needs and lived experience of people who identify as, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, or asexual (LGBTIQA+) in Maribyrnong.

Objectives

• To inform Council on the emerging needs, issues and barriers facing LGBTIQA+ people in Maribyrnong.
• To consider and provide advice to Council on key initiatives, programs and best practice options on culturally safe and inclusive actions that address the needs of LGBTIQA+ people, families and communities.
• To work directly with Council to develop, implement and review the LGBTIQA+ Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2025.
• To support Council’s commitment in promoting and advocating for equality, inclusion, diversity and human rights of the LGBTQIA+ people within the wider context of the Maribyrnong community.

The Advisory Group will hold a minimum of three meetings throughout the year.

Membership

In February 2022, Council endorsed 10 nominations from community members to join the Maribyrnong LGBTIQA+ Community Advisory Group:

• Emma Wearing
• Michael West
• Sebastian Taranto
• Andrew Rogers
• Allison Myng Min Chan
• David Griffin
• Matt Tomlins
• Adrien McCrory
• Jo Read and
• Amy Fabry-Jenkins.

The successful appointees will join up to three representatives from local organisations to form the first LGBTIQA+ Community Advisory Group for the municipality.

The Advisory Group will be joined by 3 Councillors, Cr Cuc Lam and Cr Sarah Carter, with Cr Bernadette Thomas being appointed as the Chair.

For further information on the Advisory Group please email: diversity@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

LGBTIQA+ Strategy and Action Plan

A second community conversation is open to support the development of the proposed LGBTIQA+ Strategy Action Plan 2021-2025.

We’re wanting to sense check the vision and principles in a draft working document with you to ensure they accurately reflect what you told us.

You can share your thoughts here.