Our Commitment to LGBTQIA+ Young People
Yarra Ranges Council and the Yarra Ranges Youth Development Team are committed to creating an inclusive community for all. We stand for respect and acceptance of all LGBTQIA+ members of our community.
The Youth Development Team make a focused effort to include and support rainbow young people to engage with all our opportunities: programs, consultations, events, service referrals, and more. The young LGBTQIA+ community’s perspectives and experiences enrich the work we do to be more accessible for everyone.
We will continue to advocate for LGBTQIA+ inclusive spaces and opportunities within the Yarra Ranges region. We currently support partnerships with neighbouring LGAs and organisations to engage young rainbow people to co-design activities and events that they would like to see in the region.
We see you. We hear you. We value you. You matter.
Looking for services focused on young people or a health service that’s LGBTQIA+ friendly? Check out these lists of Rainbow Resources. This list includes important directories, like the Rainbow Network and the Victorian Pride Centre, who list rainbow events, activities, and resources happening across the state of Victoria.
The Yarra Ranges Youth Development team acknowledges that many LGBTQIA+ resources are not located locally. We continue to advocate for local events, services, and community awareness so accessible options are made available.
Resources for Young People
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Minus 18 are champions for LGBTQIA+ youth. They have online resources, fun events, suggestions, supports, and much more!
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The Rainbow Network is a directory of LGBTQIA+ groups and services all over Victoria. Search by region to find resources near you!
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The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne – Gender Service
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A service to improve the physical and mental health outcomes of children and adolescents who are trans or gender diverse.
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Drummond Street Services: Queerspace & QHealth
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Queerspace is an LGBTQIA+ health and wellbeing support service established in 2009 by LGBTQIA+ communities for LGBTQIA+ communities. Queerspace has a focus on relationships, families, parenting and young people and offers co-located services across the north-west metropolitan region of Victoria.
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Health Supports
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Doctors and mental health professionals recommended by lesbian and bisexual women in Australia.
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If you identify as, are questioning, or are interested in learning about trans and gender diversity and/or sexuality, join the qheadspace community to discuss all things LGBTQIA+.
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Monash Health Gender Clinic
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The Gender Clinic is a state-wide service that provides individualised, consumer centred care for the trans, gender diverse and non-binary people, their families and partners. Their aim is to improve the health outcomes and wellbeing of all consumers. They accept all referrals for individuals who are aged 17 and above and reside in the state of Victoria.
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Sexual Health Victoria provides reproductive and sexual health clinical services to LGBTIQA+ clients through their clinics. They have a broad range of clinical experience and skills that meet the needs of LGBTIQA+ clients accessing their services, whatever age you are.
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QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
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Information and Other Resources
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Connecting people aged 10-25 to services in the Yarra Ranges, Knox, and Maroondah.
Find information on health and wellbeing support, community groups and agencies, recreation options, education, programs, and much more.
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Community-based organisation providing support service hosted by peers & volunteers for LGBTQIA+ people, their friends, families and allies.
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The Victorian Pride Centre
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The Victorian Pride Centre has information on events, social connections, health and wellbeing, education and professional services.
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Works with and for the trans and gender diverse (TGD) community and allies. Focused on positive change, events, workshops, advocacy, and more.
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National peak health organisation for organisations and individuals that provide health related programs, services and research focused on LGBTQIA+ communities.
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Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council (AGMC)
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A peak body for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer individuals and community groups of multicultural and multifaith backgrounds.
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Rural Rainbows is a social meetup hosted by EACH throughout the Yarra Ranges.
This group is for young LGBTIQA+ community members and allies aged 12-25. They run free activities and provide snacks fortnightly in Lilydale, and once a month in Healesville and Yarra Junction. They are always welcoming new participants to join!
Rural Rainbows is supervised by EACH staff with experience supporting LGBTQIA+ young people, and lead by young Rainbow Peer Volunteers.
Yarra Ranges Council’s Youth Development Team proudly supports Rural Rainbows. We attend across all three locations and support with co-design opportunities, resources, activities, and snacks.
Contact Rural Rainbows
Contact EACH to get involved, or follow @rural_rainbows on Instagram for weekly updates.
Representation is key to finding a sense of belonging in our communities. In a Council as large as the Yarra Ranges, it is especially important to connect young LGBTQIA+ people to visible, local role models. The Yarra Ranges Youth Team are advocates for all young people to feel safe, welcome, and proud to be who they are.
Our youth-led program, Defrosted Events (previously funded by FReeZA/Amplify) filmed the Queer Conversations Series in 2021. Queer/Rainbow young people interviewed LGBTQIA+ Council staff asking questions about life, careers, coming out, and other experiences as an LGBTQIA+ person.
Whilst some of these staff have since moved on to new roles or new areas, their experiences show that LGBTQIA+ people have a historical and continuing impact in the Yarra Ranges community. Watch the episodes of our Queer Conversations Series to learn more.
Episode 1: Teddy and Gareth
Episode 2: Edward and Jessie
Episode 3: Kelsey and Kellie
Episode 4: Natalia and Hannah