A free GLBT legal advice service was launched in Teneriffe last week to provide confidential, advice, assistance and legal referrals to the LGBT community. Staffed entirely by lawyers volunteering their time, The LGBTI Legal Service is a non-profit and unfunded operation where lawyers can help clients to understand their legal position and identify their options.  

The service will provide free legal advice and information to clients who have legal problems which arise from their identification as LGBTI or because they feel more comfortable in dealing with a legal professional with specific skills, interest and understanding of LGBTI legal issues. The services are provided free of charge and no means test is applied.

One of the lawyers volunteering is QNews legal writer Stephen Page who sees the group as vitally important in ensuring that our community has fair and equal access to the justice system.

“One of the hardest things for people when they go to see a lawyer is knowing that they are going to be accepted,” Mr Page said. “Often LGBTI people will not access legal advice because they feel uncomfortable, so having a service that specifically supports the LGBTI community is very important to ensure that the LGBTI community has access to justice where they can feel comfortable and be accepted. Also, by its existence as a unified group, we can help lobby to remove discrimination and advocate for LGBTI people.”

The Service will operate an evening advice session every Wednesday from 6pm at 30 Helen Street, Teneriffe. No appointment is required as it is a drop-in service, and the sessions are usually 20 minutes in duration, however sessions will not be taken after 7:30pm. For people who live in rural, regional or remote Queensland areas, a phone appointment may be organised for the next evening session. For more information, please contact Julie on 0401 936 232 or email lgbti.legalservice@gmail.com .