Launceston City Council has voted unanimously in support of the city’s first ever LGBTIQA+ Action Plan.
The vote at today’s council meeting was preceded by heartfelt pleas to councillors from young trans woman, Amilie Courtney, gay dad, Brad Cullen, Working It Out staff member, Joe McLelland, public health academic, Tamara Reynish, and Equality Tasmania representative, Rodney Croome.
Dr Reynish said,
“The acceptance of the LGBTIQA+ Action Plan by the City of Launceston is important because it recognises that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, included and valued in our city.”
“The implementation of the LGBTIQA+ Action plan will have a profound impact on the wellbeing of our community and demonstrates that diversity is a strength to be embraced.”
“This Action Plan is of great benefit to Launceston as the research shows us that inclusive communities benefit from a wider range of perspectives, experiences and ideas. They are more innovative, compassionate and resilient. I’m excited to see what’s next for our city.”
The Action Plan includes commitments to...
- Council staff training in LGBTIQA+ issues
- support for pride events
- workshops for businesses and service clubs
- a central information point for LGBTIQA-inclusive services in the city
- support for LGBTIQA+ public art and historical interpretation
- cooperation with state government agencies including police and health
- a city-wide LGBTIQA+ anti-stigma campaign, and
- the development of a pride hub.
The advisory group will continue to work with the Council on the Action Plan’s implementation.
Launceston joins the other Tasmanian municipalities of Kingborough, Glenorchy, Hobart and Burnie in having developed and released LGBTIQA action plans.
The endorsement of the Action Plan comes after the opening at Launceston's Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery of the state's largest ever LGBTIQA+ history exhibition and a new LGBTIQA+ art exhibition. The history exhibition includes Tasmania's only showing of the international "Loving" exhibition, as well as a history of the LGBTIQA+ community in Launceston dating back to 1800. The art exhibition is "Rainbow Stable - Celebrating Identity: Activims and Identity".
A photo of community members, councillors and council staff is attached, as well as the front page of the Action Plan.
More about the exhibitions here:
https://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/Whats-on/Art-Gallery-at-Royal-Park/LOVING-Photographs-of-Men-in-Love-1850s-1950s
https://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/Whats-on/Museum-at-Inveresk/Rainbow-Stable-Celebrating-Identity-Activism-and-Ecstasy
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Tamara Reynish on 0411 175 704 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
