As TasPride, Tasmania’s LGBTIQA+ festival begins, the establishment of a legal and social services pilot for the state’s LGBTQIA+ community has been announced.
Coming together in Hobart at the Town Hall, TasPride launched its celebration of pride with a flag raising.
“Raising the Pride flag is a visible reminder of the values we celebrate,” the City of Hobart said on social media.
“And the work we continue to do to make Hobart a city for all.”
“TasPride’s Summer Festival is back, bigger than ever, with events running across the state over the coming weeks.”
“From community gatherings and performances to workshops and family‑friendly celebrations, there’s something for everyone.”
Tasmania’s LGBTQIA+ community also celebrate the announcement of the establishment of a legal and social services pilot for Tasmania’s LGBTQIA+ community.
The $200,000 pilot is one of 27 initiatives funded through $6.1 million in grants for projects to enhance access to justice.
This is supported through the latest round of the Solicitors’ Guarantee Fund and announced by Attorney-General Guy Barnett.
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Bringing legal services to the community
Auspiced by Women’s Legal Service Tasmania, lawyers and a peer justice navigator will be placed in an LGBTIQA+ community organisation (like Equality Tasmania).
“This initiative encapsulates our service values,” said Yvette Cehtel, CEO of WLST.
“And enables us to collaborate to bring legal services to those in our community who have not felt welcome in existing legal services and spaces.”
“The program is aimed at providing legal services in LGBTIQA+ organisations where the community already feel safe.
“It demonstrates our organisational commitment to partnering to meet unmet legal needs.”
Double the national average, 6 in 10 LGBTQIA+ people will experience at least 1 legal problem yearly.
An increasing number of LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians experiencing disadvantageous treatment are seeking advice and support regarding their legal rights.
Their needs are often complex and specific.
Requiring a specialist legal response that considers circumstances such as poverty, low literacy, mental ill-health, disability, or social isolation.
Living in a rural or regional area of Tasmania adds further barriers, such as long travel distances and little local expertise.
The legacy of past Tasmanian laws and the barriers they face has resulted in a deep mistrust of legal services.
But it is also something that this population desperately needs.
‘Too many LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians still experience discrimination’
Until recently, criminal, family and marriage laws discriminated against LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians.
Although that has changed, one legacy is that LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians continue to experience higher rates of hate-motivated harassment.
As well as discrimination and prejudice, which often impact their housing security, workplace safety, and access to necessary services.
“Too many LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians still experience discrimination at work,” said Rodney Croome from Equality Tasmania.
“As well as harassment from neighbours, hate crimes and other disadvantages requiring specialist legal support.”
“Many LGBTIQA+ people in need come to Equality Tasmania seeking legal support and referrals, which we do our best to provide,
“But this has shown us that what is really required are dedicated legal services like those that operate in some other states.
“We thank the Solicitors Guarantee Fund, the State Government and everyone who has supported this important initiative.”
The partnership will meet urgent community needs and improve the quality and range of services provided to the public.
Which will build capacity in the legal sector to deal with LGBTIQA+ issues and contribute to cultural change to make Tasmania safer for all Tasmanians.
Women’s Legal Service Tasmania and Equality Tasmania thanked the Solicitors Guarantee Fund for the funding.
As well as the state Liberal Government for approving the funding and making specialist LGBTIQA+ legal services possible.
Source: Facebook @CityofHobartReady to celebrate TasPride Summer Festival?
Entirely coordinated and run by volunteers for our LGBTQIA+ community, the TasPride Summer Festival has something for everyone.
Inviting families, friends and allies to take part in events over the next month, it all started at today’s flag raising, officially opening the festivities.
The fun continues tonight with a Festival Cocktail Party at Battery Point Community Hall.
As Judy’s Tasmania host an Open Drag Night on Saturday.
‘In the end we will be the good that you have always wanted to avoid’ takes misfit, queer and outsider literature, which is bioprinted with cardiac cells.
The works probe ideas of ‘xeno’ (alien/stranger), disalienation and a move away from assimilation.
Revealing something of the new entity’s particular inhuman conglomerate ways.
From a run club to drag bingo, there is plenty on offer for all to enjoy during Tasmania’a pride filled month.
Check out the TasPride online guide here.
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, and community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
