We know Victorians are hurting right now. Our Victorian communities and members we stand with you.
We hope you and your community are managing and have social supports during this extraordinarily difficult time. If needed QLife is a free, anonymous, LGBTI peer-support and referral service, operating from 3pm-midnight every day, phone 1800 184 527 or chat qlife.org.au. Alternatively, if you require immediate assistance you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 44 or Beyond Blue on 1800 512 358 at any time.
We are reviewing what additional services, funding and support we can recommend to the Federal Government for LGBTI people and communities. We will be advocating for the full JobKeeper supplement to be maintained, and increased access to the LGBTI Community Visitor Scheme and QLife services.
The Alliance has contacted the Federal and Victorian Health Ministers advocating additional support for LGBTI Victorians.
We know that older people are particularly vulnerable and at increased risk of social isolation and loneliness - we have also just released our report on older LGBTI Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic. This report may be useful for advocacy work and for amplifying the voices of older LGBTI Australians. This report is available here.
If you are based in Victoria and would like to share your lockdown story, concerns, or to report systemic issues, please contact us here.