17c起草社区

The Victorian Government has announced it will spend $15 million in next week鈥檚 state budget to create Australia鈥檚 first Pride Centre.

The centre will be based in Melbourne鈥檚 CBD, however the final design and location will be agreed upon聽in consultation with the LGBTI community.

The government plans to use the centre as a hub for LGBTI groups and organisations, as well as a space for advisory, health, and support services catering to the state鈥檚 sex and gender diverse community.

Gender and sexuality commissioner Ro Allen in October last year, the results of which are set to be released next week.

Now that the study has finished, Allen said the money is on the table.

鈥淲e still need to build the business case which will help decide the location and details but we鈥檝e put the state government鈥檚 leadership on the table,鈥� Allen told the 17c起草社区.

鈥淐ommunity involvement is essential, and it鈥檚 how I roll 鈥� we don鈥檛 do anything in isolation.

鈥淭here are 120 groups we鈥檝e consulted with so far who were surveyed and more than 40 people we鈥檝e spoken to face-to-face, and the majority of people said this is something we need.鈥�

Historic investment in community positions Victoria as the progressive capital of the nation

— Anna Brown OAM (@AnnaEquality)

Allen believes the centre will be an important collaborative space for groups and organisations to work alongside each other.

鈥淎 lot of these groups run out of kitchens and don鈥檛 have the resources, and there鈥檚 a lot of work we need to do,鈥� Allen said.

鈥淲e already have great collaboration between groups, this will just give us the benefit of sharing meeting rooms and photocopiers.鈥�

The state budget will also include $6.4 million in funding towards Monash Health鈥檚 Gender Dysphoria Clinic, a service providing critical support to trans and gender diverse Victorians.

This will complement the funding given to the Royal Children鈥檚 Hospital last year towards gender dysphoria treatment for children aged 5 to 17.

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Minister for Equality Martin Foley said the next step for the Pride Centre will be speaking with those in the community to flesh out the details.

鈥淭he centre will bring the LGBTI community together, to share ideas and support each other,鈥� he told the 17c起草社区.

鈥淚t will be an opportunity for community groups to celebrate equality and diversity.

鈥淭he next step will be to consult with health providers and the LGBTI community on what services should be in the centre and where鈥檚 best for it to be located.鈥�

Many community groups and organisations have already expressed their support for the Pride Centre including the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC), who sold its main site late last year and is currently in the process of looking for a new location.

Co-convenor of the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL) Sean Mulcahy said the government鈥檚 investment in the centre is one that will require ongoing support.

鈥淭he 15 million is a fantastic upfront set-up fee for the Pride Centre, but it will require ongoing investment by the government and other community organisations,鈥� he told the 17c起草社区.

鈥淏ut this is a clear show of intent from them that they want to create a space the whole LGBTI community can use.

鈥淚t鈥檚 also exciting that the government has indicated it intends for the centre to be housed in the CBD, a key point of access for people living all over the city as well as in regional Victoria.

鈥淪afe spaces are incredibly important in the face of increasing homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia on our streets, in our workplaces, and in our schools.鈥�

According to , Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the centre is intended to be bigger than San Francisco鈥檚 LGBT Community Centre and will showcase LGBTI history, and offer free health and support services.