PEOPLE will be able to ask anonymous questions they might never feel comfortable raising anywhere else in an online sexual health forum.
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The upcoming event is part of a raft of activities that Bendigo Community Health Services is using to help support members of the LGBTIQA+ community, senior health promotions manager Anne-Marie Kelly said.
"People can turn off their cameras during a virtual session and ask sexual health nurses and a rep from [health service] Thorne Harbour Country all their sexual and reproductive health questions in a really safe environment," she said.
"I think people can sometimes be worried about offending, when it comes to these topics, so it's a chance to have that anonymity to ask something you might think is silly - I'm sure a lot of people will be sitting there thinking the same thing."
The THirsty Questions webinar will take place as the service sets up a community reference group to review its LGBTIQA+ programs and ideas.
It comes at a time when BCHS is noticing a growing need for both its LGBTIQA+ sexual health and mental health services, Ms Kelly said.
BCHS wants people of all ages and from all walks of life for the reference group.
"They will really drive the strategies we are going to do internally to improve services," Ms Kelly said.
One of the group's first jobs will be to help with an audit of the building, communications and how staff present to see how LGBTIQA+ they are.
Long term, BCHS wants to use the group as a sounding board for the group about service equity, culture and knowledge, Ms Kelly said.
"We are asking up to 10 people to make a commitment of 12 months, because that helps with our planning and implementation phase," she said.
"But if people enjoy themselves - which we do hope they do - there might be that opportunity to reappoint them in later years."
To find out more or apply to be part of the reference group visit www.bchs.com.au/blog/800
To learn more about the THirsty Questions webinar, which takes place on June 24, visit https://www.bchs.com.au/blog/802
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