Victoria’s peak body for Aboriginal health and wellbeing stands in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ Community and condemns the recent acts of hate and division that have recently marred the news cycle.
The Victorian Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) condemns the divisive and hateful rhetoric that has inflicted great pain and distress amongst the LGBTQIA+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, and in particular, the Trans and Gender Diverse community.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria already experience unjust rates of health inequality and disadvantage that are linked to poor health outcomes – and this disadvantage, and associated poor health outcomes, are amplified when Mob also identify as belonging to the LGBTQIA+ Community.
At particular risk are younger LGBTQIA+ members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community. The work of the deadly team at Black Rainbow has brought this inequality in to sharp relief, finding in a 2021 report that young Aboriginal LGBTQIA+ are likely to experience the poorer health comes that come with the dual identities (LGBTQIA+ and Aboriginal) in a compounded manner.
That is to say: Aboriginal LGBTQIA+ young people are at heightened risk of poor health outcomes.
It’s simply unacceptable in 2023 that the prejudice, ignorance and hate that has been a feature of the last few weeks continue to go unchecked.
VACCHO is committed to moving the dial on Aboriginal Health outcomes for Community in Victoria, which means standing up for the rights of LGBTQIA+ Mob.
VACCHO CEO Jill Gallagher is calling on Community to stand united and look out for one another’s health and wellbeing during these deeply hurtful times.
“Last month I was filled with immense pride as I watched a First Nations float kick off the Mardi Gras Parade in Sydney.”
“However, I have been disgusted and sickened by the hateful targeting of Trans and Gender Diverse communities that has taken place across the country in recent weeks.”
“Those living in the intersecting spaces of both the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Communities and the LGBTQIAA+ communities (whom we affectionately referred to as ‘Rainbow Mob’) are disproportionately marginalised, isolated, and excluded.”
“I’m calling on the Aboriginal Community to stand united alongside our Trans and Gender Diverse Mob. There is no place for hate in this country.”
Friday 31 March is International Transgender Day of Visibility. The day is an annual international celebration of trans pride and awareness, recognising trans and gender diverse experiences and achievements.
