Glenorchy Council has unanimously endorsed a new five-year LGBTIQA+ Action Plan focusing on community education.
On Monday afternoon, Glenorchy City Council passed its first-ever LGBTIQA+ Action Plan and Statement of Commitment.
Developed after extensive consultation with the city’s LGBTIQA+ community, it focuses strongly on educating the broader community about the lives and needs of LGBTIQA+ people.
“I am so proud that Glenorchy City Council is leading the way on LGBTIQA+ inclusivity,” said Glenorchy Mayor, Sue Hickey.
“The survey and report that led to the Action Plan showed that LGBTIQA+ people continue to face discrimination and harassment in our city.”
“The LGBTIQA+ community and its allies believe local government has a role to play in modelling and fostering kindness and inclusion.”
“Glenorchy is a diverse community, where kindness, acceptance and love help build tolerance, understanding and equality for us all.”
The City of Glenorchy takes in the northern suburbs of Greater Hobart, which were traditionally industrial and blue-collar, as well as rural areas of Glenlusk and Collinsvale.
Glenorchy also has a relatively large number of people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Source: Glenorchy LGBTIQA+ Action PlanLocal LGBTIQA+ voices included in policy and planning
The Action Plan commits Glenorchy Council to a range of initiatives, including community workshops about the lives and needs of the LGBTIQA+ community.
These are based on LGBTIQA+ workshops that have already been conducted in partnership with groups such as Karadi Aboriginal Corporation and Bucaan Community House.
A member of the Glenorchy Council’s LGBTIQA+ advisory group, Andrew Shaw, said he is very pleased with the outcome.
“I am a strong advocate for educating the broader community about our lives and the challenges we face,” he said.
“And very pleased to see the Action Plan’s emphasis on community education, particularly partnerships with local organisations to conduct workshops promoting LGBTIQA+ inclusion.”
“I am also pleased with the Council’s codesigned consultation process, which turned out to be very important for building a stronger sense of community.
“The way the Council meaningfully included local LGBTIQA+ voices in policy and planning has been a model for how all community members can actively participate in shaping the future of our city.”
Critical the council take a lead role in reducing discrimination
Mayor Hickey said the Statement of Commitment was an important step for both the LGBTIQA+ community and the council.
“This statement articulates the Council’s intention to foster a safe and inclusive city.”
“To strengthen community connection and visibility, support equal access to services and opportunities, as well as being an inclusive workplace.”
“The five-year action plan, which accompanies this, seeks to have these aims implemented through staged and practical actions covering training and development.
“As well as partnerships and projects, inclusive policies and systems, evaluations and ongoing community engagement.
“As a council, it is critical that this organisation takes a lead role in reducing discrimination in our city and fostering kindness and inclusion.
“Developing policies to ensure we are empowering all voices in our community, including the LGBTIQA+ community, is extremely important.
“As Mayor, I am extremely proud that Glenorchy City Council is actively working to improve LGBTIQA+ inclusivity.”
Source: Glenorchy LGBTIQA+ Action Plan‘Local governments are rising to the challenge of LGBTIQA+ inclusion’
Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the Glenorchy Action Plan and Commitment will encourage other Tasmanian councils to take similar initiatives.
“Across Tasmania, local governments are rising to the challenge of LGBTIQA+ inclusion,” Croome said.
“Several other councils already have, or are currently developing, LGBTIQA+ advisory groups and action plans, including Launceston, Burnie, Kingborough and Brighton.”
You can see a copy of the Action Plan and Commitment (on pages 20-67) here.
