Community Resources & Support
This page outlines resources, information, education and social support for a variety of audiences and purposes. The inclusion of a resource in this list does not infer endorsement, rather it this document provides identifies potential resources and encourages professionals to determine their usefulness, strengths and limitations.
ACT Community Supports
A Gender Agenda
AGA provides social support, events, workshops, advocacy, training, policy advice and resources. We utilise a community development approach in our work that values the voices of lived experience.
02 6162 1924
Encampment
Encampment is a peer-lead weekend camp, providing an opportunity for people aged 13 to 17 who identify as LGBTIQ* in the Canberra region to come together, foster resilience, learn new skills and form new friendships..
02 6257 2855
Sexual Health and Family Planning
SHFPACT is a inclusive and non-judgmental health promotion charity that deliver sexual and reproductive health services to the Canberra community.
02 627 3077
Bit Bent Belconnen
Bent Bent is a social group for young people who want to hang out with other young people who are GLBTIQ or who still are not sure in a safe and friendly environment. At the Belconnen Youth Centre each Monday of school term 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
02 6264 0200
Bit Bent Woden
Bent Bent is a social group for young people who want to hang out with other young people who are GLBTIQ or who still are not sure in a safe and friendly environment. Every Thursday through the school term, 5:00pm to 6:30pm. At Woden Youth Centre (Callam St, Woden).
02 6282 3037
LGBTIQ Canberra Consortium
The Consortium is a partnership of four agencies brought together by the common goal of ensuring health, wellbeing, access, social inclusion and equity within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) community.
02 6257 2855
Northside Community Services
A community-based, not for profit organisation established in 1976 through the efforts of concerned people wanting to provide and develop support and services for residents of North Canberra.
02 6257 2255
Spectrum
headspace Queanbeyan is a free, confidential, non-judgmental service where young people can access qualified youth mental health professionals. We offer a range of supports for young people who are experiencing a tough time or are worried about their drug and alcohol use, mental, physical or sexual well being.
02 6298 0300
Queer Youth Together
Queer Youth Together (pronounced QyouT) is a program for LGBTIQ+ young people that commenced on the 22 March 2017. QyouT provides a safe place, activities, networking, resources, and just good fun.
02 6298 0300
A-Z
Youth social support group at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre each Tuesday of school term 5:00pm – 7:00pm. YWCA also runs the annual LGBTIQ+ Allies Prom.
02 6294 4633
LGBTIQ ACT Community Directory
In partnership with Canberra's local LGBTIQ publication FUSE MAGAZINE the CBR LGBTIQ Community Consortium has produced a handy guide to help our community connect with many vital services and social groups.
OneLink
When you call OneLink, an intake officer will talk with you about what support you need, and help you to link with the best service to support you.
180 176 468
Advocacy
A Gender Agenda
AGA provides social support, events, workshops, advocacy, training, policy advice and resources. We utilise a community development approach in our work that values the voices of lived experience.
02 6162 1924
Office for LGBTIQ Affairs and ACT LGBTIQ Ministerial Advisory Council
The Office for LGBTIQ Affairs coordinates and supports strategic government projects and policy to promote Canberra as the most LGBTIQ friendly City in Australia. It is located within the Policy and Cabinet Division of the Chief Minister Treasury and Economic Development Directorate.
Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers
You can request the support of a GLLO if you are interacting with the police. The Australian Federal Police’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer (GLLO) Network is a volunteer network which helps support members of the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community it serves.
02 6131 5142
ACT Human Rights Commission
The ACT Human Rights Commission’s role is to resolve complaints and promote rights. We provide an independent, fair and accessible process for resolving individual complaints; promote service improvement; promote the human rights and welfare of people; and foster understanding of particular legislation.
02 6205 2222
Bullying
Alannah and Madeline Foundation
The Foundation cares for young people who have experienced or witnessed serious violence, and runs evidence-based programs that prevent violence and advocate for children's safety and wellbeing.
Bullying No Way!
Are you being bullied? Get help now. Bullying. No Way! provides information and ideas for young people, students, parents and teachers. If you want to talk to someone about bullying vist our webiste or call 1800 55 1800 — it's a free call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Friendly Schools
Friendly Schools is a evidence-based initiative involving the whole-school community to build social skills, create supportive environments and significantly reduce bullying in school communities. Find out more about Friendly Schools on our website.
National Centre Against Bullying
The National Centre Against Bullying (NCAB) is a peak body working to advise and inform the Australian community on the issue of childhood bullying and the creation of safe schools and communities, including the issue of cyber safety.
Counselling
Meridian
Providing a wide range of free counselling services. Working in partnership with other service providers, our aim is to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of people who access our services.
02 6162 1924
headspace Canberra
We’re the national youth mental health foundation dedicated to improving the wellbeing of young Australians. eheadspace online and telephone service supports young people and their families going through a tough time.
02 6162 1924
QLife
QLife is a national telephone and webchat support service for LGBTI people. QLife has peer counsellors available to talk to people of all genders, bodies and sexualities and is free and confidential.
1800 184 527
1800 RESPECT
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service. Supporting people who identify as LGBTIQ.
1800 737 732
Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia has experienced counsellors, mediators and educators who provide services in a friendly, open and respectful way for all members of our communities. We openly welcome people from the GLBTI communities.
02 6122 7100
Life Line
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
13 11 14
NewAccess
If life pressures are causing you stress, you can take action. NewAccess is a FREE service that provides support in the form of a coach. It’s someone who can guide you in setting practical goals that will get you back on track.
02 6287 8066
Families
ParentLink
PDF Resource: Families Like Mine – A guide for parents of young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender diverse or who are questioning their sexuality or gender identity
Reach Out
An online mental health organisation for young people and their parents.
PFLAG Australia
PFLAG stands for Parents and Friends of Lesbians And Gays. We are a non-profit voluntary organisation whose members have a common goal of keeping families together. PFLAG is here to give help, support and information to families, friends of all gay people.
Rainbow Families
The mission of Rainbow Families is to build a community which fosters resiliency by connecting, supporting and empowering LGBTQI families.
Kids Helpline
Providing a wide range of free counselling services. Working in partnership with other service providers, our aim is to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of people who access our services.
FREE CALL 1800 55 1800
PFLAG Capital Region
A social/support network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, their parents, family and friends, in the ACT and surrounding region.
Raising Children Network
All children do better when parents feel supported. You can help rainbow and same-sex families feel supported and like they belong in your community by using respectful language, challenging unhelpful attitudes, talking with your child about being inclusive and more.
General Infomation
FUSE Magazine
FUSE Magazine is Canberra's local LGBTIQ Lifestyle Magazine. Published quarterly you can grab your copy for free or read it online.
Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria
An online mental health organisation for young people and their parents. Our practical support, tools and tips help young people get through anything from everyday issues to tough times – and the information we offer parents makes it easier for them to help their teenagers, too.
Intersex Human Rights Australia
Intersex Human Rights Australia (IHRA) is a national body by and for people born with variations of sex characteristics. We promote human rights and bodily autonomy, and provide information, education, and an online peer support group. We were formerly known as OII Australia.
National LGBTI Health Alliance
The National LGBTI Health Alliance is the national peak health organisation in Australia for organisations and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and research focused on LGBTIQ people and other sexuality and gender diverse people and communities.
The Gender Centre
Services for the transgender & gender diverse community. The Gender Centre is the peak state-wide specialist multi- purpose service supporting the transgender, gender diverse and gender questioning community.
Legal Help
ACT Human Rights Act
This is a republication of the Human Rights Act 2004 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 as in force on 2 March 2017. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 2 March 2017.
Anti-Discrimination Act
This is a republication of the Discrimination Act 1991 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 as in force on 3 April 2017. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 3 April 2017.
Youth Law Centre ACT
The Youth Law Centre ACT is Canberra’s free legal service dedicated to young people. We provide free and confidential legal advice in person, over the phone or by email.
02 6173 5410
Schools, Learning Resources & Scholarships
Kids Matter
KidsMatter Primary is a mental health and wellbeing framework for primary schools and is proven to make a positive difference to the lives of Australian children.
Enhance TV
EnhanceTV is an educational video platform, giving you access to curriculum-linked content and an easy way to share it with your students. You can find, clip and share video with students and other teachers. The library includes a wide range of classroom-ready clips from Australian broadcast television, including news, entertainment and documentaries.
Human Rights Examples for the Australian Curriculum
The Australian Curriculum provides a rich opportunity for children and young people to learn about their human rights and the importance of respecting the rights and freedoms of others.
Student Wellbeing Hub
Feeling safe and supported is the right of everyone in the school community. The resources available on the Student Wellbeing Hub help to create learning communities that promote student wellbeing and the development of respectful relationships. The Hub is guided by the principles of the National Safe Schools Framework, which highlight the importance of educators, parents and students working together. We can make a difference, starting now.
Office of the eSafety commissioner
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner is committed to empowering all Australians to have safer, more positive experiences online. The Office was established in 2015 with a mandate to coordinate and lead the online safety efforts across government, industry and the not-for profit community.
Pinnacle Foundation
The Pinnacle Foundation exists to give young LGBT+ students the chance to achieve their full potential, to light the spark within. The Pinnacle Foundation provides financial scholarships to students across Australia.
Days of Significance
National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence
Save the date for the ninth National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA)- 3rd Friday of March annually — Australian schools will unite in their communities to celebrate Australia’s key anti-bullying event for schools.
Transgender Visibility
The International TDoV is an annual holiday celebrated around the world. The day is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments and victories of transgender & gender non-conforming people while raising awareness of the work that is still needed to save Transgender lives.
IDAHOBIT
On May 17 people each year, all over Australia will stand against discrimination in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) mates, colleagues and families.
Wear it purple
Celebrated on the last Friday in August each year, Wear it Purple is celebrated around the world and is committed to respect diversity and social equality. We will persevere until the world is safe for rainbow young people to be proud of who they are.
Intersex Day of Solidarity
The Intersex Day Project promotes human rights actions for Intersex Awareness Day (26 October) and Intersex Day of Solidarity (8 November), and documents and shares the histories and works of the intersex movement.
Trans Day of Remembrance
The Transgender Day of Remembrance, is observed annually on November 20 as a day to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia and to draw attention to the continued violence endured by the transgender community.
SpringOUT Pride Canberra
Held during the month on November each year SpringOUT is the official LGBTIQ pride festival of the ACT. The one month festival celebrates the diversity of local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex communities.
Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December annually across the world on 10 December every year. Let’s stand up for equality, justice and human dignity.