VicDiversity’s Susanna Flanagan said the new group had noticed the gap for those with disabilities who wanted a safe space to explore their gender or sexuality.

“The other thing was that in Bendigo there seemed to be more of a need for cohesion and for someone who can help network among the groups – getting them all together, so to speak,” she said.

“I identify in the LGBTI community. Lots of our family do as well. Plus there’s the autistic side of things,” she said.

Mrs Flanagan, who is also a disability advocate with Bendigo Autistic Advocacy Support Services, said many autistic people were part of the LGBTIQ community.

Mrs Flanagan said there was a particular need to assist those at vulnerable stages – for example young people exploring their identity and reaching out for information or support.

“It might (also) be parents of those youth, who are starting to realise they themselves need some information and support,” she said. 

“It’s a really vulnerable time when people start to reach out. If they end up in a place where there’s quite toxic, harmful information, that’s going to have quite a bit impact.”

Mrs Flanagan said VicDiversity would focus on providing positive, quality information.

“There are some (forums) that say they are but they still allow that negativity in. That’s fine, it has its place but we want to be very safe,” Mrs Flanagan said.

VicDiversity had plans for a website to list safe resources and to organise gatherings including a family day.

The group was coming onto the scene as one prominent disability and queer rights advocate called for more action nationally for people with disabilities who also identified as LGBTIQ.

Prominent disability and queer rights activist Jax Jacki Brown said the sexual identity and gender of those with disabilities was rarely discussed in public or the media.

“(I think) society is scared to talk about disability and sexuality,” she said.

Ms Brown welcomed work done by VicDiversity, saying it was important more disability-led groups were established to drive social change.

She said more needed to be done nationally, including the establishment of a peak body representing the nexus between LGBTIQ and disability.