Archive for Within Victoria

New report launched – Hate Crimes Act included among new recommendations needed to protect LGBTI people from prejudice

// September 12th, 2018 // No Comments » // Media discussion, Within Australia, Within Victoria

Hate Crime report and recommendations - photo HRLC 2018

The Human Rights Law Centre today launched the “End the Hate: Responding to prejudice motivated speech and violence against the LGBTI community” report which calls for stronger protections from hate speech and hate crime in Victoria, with a panel discussion with Victoria Police and community leaders about the need for reforms to address Hate Crime.

Pictured left to right, Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius, Human Rights Law Centre’s Anna Brown and Lee Carnie, NW Region GLLO Gabby Tyacke and the Anti-Violence Project’s Greg Adkins, after the Hate Crime panel discussion at the report’s launch.

This report reveals how current laws and policies are failing to protect LGBTI people from hate crime and hate conduct and outlines how the tide can be turned with 5 main areas for future work containing 23 recommendations for reform.

If this report raises issues for you, and you or someone you know needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Q-life/Switchboard on 1800 184 527. Crime Stoppers is found by calling 1800 333 000. When in danger call Police 000. When safe, contact the Anti-Violence Project http:/antiviolence.info/report-violence

Review and download a copy of the new Hate Crimes report here: https://humanrightslawcentre.createsend1.com/t/i-l-nbujjk-l-y/

If you or anyone you know needs help?

// June 26th, 2018 // No Comments » // Within Australia, Within Victoria

If you or anyone you know needs help:

QLife on 1800 184 527,

Lifeline on 13 11 14,

Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800,

MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978,

Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467,

Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36,

Headspace on 1800 650 890

IDAHOBIT celebration & commemoration May 17th 2018, 5pm to 9pm

// April 28th, 2018 // No Comments » // International, Within Australia, Within Victoria

Grace

Gather at Melbourne’s Fed Square Main Stage with the Anti-Violence Project crew and many others from Melbourne and Victoria LGBTI organisations to celebrate and commemorate IDAHOBIT Day, Thursday May 17, 2018.

IDAHOBIT isthe International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia.

Fed Square are presenting program of diverse artists, performers and voices. Their evening celebration for IDAHOBIT Day includes a stage program of 5-10 minute performances interspersed with Q&As with LGBTQIA+ organisations.

The short performances will include music, comedy, drag acts, dance, and spoken word from artists such as Mojo Juju, Yana Alana, Adolfo Aranjuez, Raina Peterson, William Cooper, Ana Diction, Jax Jacki Brown, Dani Sib and Amao Leota Lu.

Further info about IDAHOBIT Day can be found at here.

As always, LGBTI commemorative events and celebrations can bring us shoulder-to shoulder with the odd individual or two who has a narrower experience of life and diversity than most. If you feel unsafe or in danger, call Police 000. When safe, contact the Anti-Violence Project http:/antiviolence.info/report-violence

Federatio Squares information abour their 1th May event is found here: http://fedsquare.com/events/idahobit-day-2018

Man bashed in Collingwood in alleged homophobic attack – Police seek your help

// April 9th, 2018 // No Comments » // Incidents, Uncategorized, Within Victoria

Grace

Police are hunting a group of men who preyed upon and savagely assaulted a man in Collingwood, between Victoria Parade and Mason Street, hurling homophobic taunts at him as they repeatedly punched him in the face.

The 36-year-old Carrum Downs man was walking along Smith Street in Collingwood in the early hours of Saturday on January 27 when three men surrounded him.

One of the attackers made comments about his sexuality before all three struck him in the face.
The man was taken to hospital with serious facial injuries.
The offenders fled after the attack.

If you have further information please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. When in danger call Police 000. When safe, contact the Anti-Violence Project http:/antiviolence.info/report-violence

Read more about this attack in from the Melbourne Age newspaper here: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/man-bashed-in-collingwood-in-alleged-homophobic-attack-20180409-p4z8h6.html

New treasurer/finance director Ava Lopez joins our team!

// November 29th, 2017 // No Comments » // Within Victoria

“We welcome the addition of Ava Lopez to our team as our new treasurer/finance director. Ava is an accountant and CPA and has commenced her work with the Anti-Violence Project. We welcome her to the team”, said VicAVP executive director, Greg Adkins.

“Ava steps into the position recently vacated after a successful 13 year stint in the role by Jayne Monroe who has packed away her calculator and spreadsheet and called it a day. We thank our wonderful friend for her dedication to keeping our finances in check over such a significant period of time – well over half of the time the AVP has been in existence.

“We can’t replace Jayne, she is unique and will always be a valued friend. However, Ava is a delightful new addition to our team.”

Celebrate Bi Day 2017 – 23rd September

// September 18th, 2017 // No Comments » // Within Australia, Within Victoria

Equality Roadshow

September is bi-visibility month and the 23rd of September, the annual Bi-Pride Day.

Check out the two events being held jointly by YGender and the Bisexual Alliance Victoria in Carlton.

Andrews Govt delivers new $$ support for LGBTi community during postal plebiscite

// August 20th, 2017 // No Comments » // Media discussion, Relationships, Within Victoria

Equality Roadshow

The Victorian Government, through Equality Minister Martin Foley, has announced it will provide $1 million to support the LGBTI community through the federal government’s postal survey on marriage equality.

This includes today’s announcement of a $500,000 funding package to help mental health services and LGBTI organisations keep up with heightened demands as a result of the vote.

Read Star Observer’s report here: http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/national-news/victoria-news/victoria-pledges-support-postal-vote/161065

Real fears of hateful rhetoric in marriage survey

// August 15th, 2017 // No Comments » // Media discussion, Relationships, Within Australia, Within Victoria

The federal government’s proposed marriage equality postal survey heads to the High Court of Australia and behind the scenes planning continues and debate in the community has commenced. we hold real concerns that some of the debate threatens to expose vulnerable same-sex attracted and gender diverse people to prejudice and hatred.

In the La Trobe Valley, AVP Traralgon representative, Rob Mauger, fears the upcoming same-sex marriage postal ballot could expose the LGBTI community to hateful behaviour.

“I’m 63, and I’ve heard everything everyone has said.. that my love is so dangerous it will destroy the fabric of Australian society,” Mr Mauger told the La Trobe Valley Express.

“How does anyone think being told that feels?” Amid hearing ongoing discrimination that “makes you want to shrink as though you have no place”, Mr Mauger found satisfaction in the recent Pride Cup and wanted to thank the AFL community in the Latrobe Valley

Read the full discussion here: http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/4853181/fears-marriage-ballot-could-divide/

Elite football should embrace sexual equality with the same enthusiasm it supports indigenous talent – Kevin Sheedy

// May 18th, 2017 // No Comments » // Media discussion, Sport, Within Australia, Within Victoria

Former-Essendon-coach-Kevin-Sheedy-Photo-Getty-Images.jpg

Marking the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) on 17th May 2017, AFL coaching legend Kevin Sheedy said he wanted the football world to embrace sexual equality with the same enthusiasm with which it has supported indigenous talent at the elite level of the game.

Sheedy joined a panel alongside Matt Hall, football’s first openly gay footballer ( @matthall1972 ), who in 1998 was refused registration in the Victorian Amateur Football Association because of his HIV-positive status, a ruling he fought and beat in the courts, together with former Olympian and politician Nova Peris and Collingwood AFLW player Penny Cula-Reid.

Sheedy also praised the AFL for its progressive stance on social issues, but spoke about the conservatism of society at large inhibiting a change in attitudes.

Read The Age journalist Rohan Connolly’s article in full here http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/kevin-sheedy-calls-on-football-to-embrace-sexual-equality-20170518-gw7hyh.html