Establishing an LGBTI pride centre in Bendigo could fill a gap in council strategy, members of the city’s same-sex attracted and gender diverse community have said.
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The Bendigo Advertiser revealed this week council staff are in discussions to bring a regional outpost of the $15-million Victoria Pride Centre to Bendigo.
But the City of Greater Bendigo does not have a dedicated LGBTI strategy, with even its Cultural and Diversity Inclusion Plan, passed last July, not considering gender and sexuality.
The document instead focuses on the needs of Bendigo’s racially, linguistically and religiously diverse people.
Community partnerships manager Steven Abbott said council had not identified a need for a formal LGBTI policy.
“The main reason is because they haven’t really seen a high number of incidences of discrimination on sexual preference,” Mr Abbott said.
But Friends Alike Bendigo – Central Victoria co-ordinator Jakob Quilligan, whose group runs a monthly LGBTI social night, said it should not take reports of homophobia or transphobia to act.
“We know this population of people exists across the globe and Bendigo is no exception,” Mr Quilligan said.
“If Bendigo is going to be the most livable regional centre, the LGBTI community must form part of that vision, and I would strongly encourage council to reach out to organisations in the region to engage and include them.”
Asked about LGBTI projects the City of Greater Bendigo funded, Mr Abbott named three from the last four years: an annual sum of $5000 for the Bendigo Queer Film Festival, a $2500 grant for VACountry’s Myers Street hub and $2000 towards an HIV awareness weekend.
BQFF board member Noel Hourigan welcomed council funding, but said backing a three-day festival was “a small window” of support.
Local government backing of a pride centre could break down bigotry by increasing the community’s visibility, Mr Hourigan said.
“Anywhere there's a place for resources or a safe space for people to gather or get information, or sort of be with their community, is a great idea.”
Mr Abbott said the council and its policies were compelled to abide by a human rights charter and needed to be inclusive of all people.
The city also supported community organisations with LGBTI services, like headspace, he said. The youth mental health service operates a diversity group and supports for parents of transgender children.
The Victorian Local Government Association has established a working group to support councils fostering a culture inclusive of queer residents.
Mark Kearney
Journalist. Traveller. Pop culture connoisseur. Mark is passionate about education, the arts and social justice, especially stories affecting the LGBTI community.
Journalist. Traveller. Pop culture connoisseur. Mark is passionate about education, the arts and social justice, especially stories affecting the LGBTI community.
