LGBTIQA+ : Improving inclusive practice

    Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) recognises and values the diversity of our staff and clients and aims to be an inclusive service provider to all members of our community.

    LGBTIQA+ is the acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual and ‘+’ which encompasses other diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.  LGBTIQA+ people are often referred to as the ‘Rainbow’ community because they are represented by a flag with the colours of the rainbow.

    GLCH has been working on improving LGBTIQA+ inclusive practice for our clients, staff and community for a number of years.

    In 2021, we were very proud to achieve Rainbow Tick accreditation for the organisation.

    The Rainbow Tick accreditation involves meeting a robust set of criteria that is audited by an external agency.  Receiving Rainbow Tick accreditation demonstrates that LGBTIQA+ people can expect to be treated with dignity and respect at GLCH.

    GLCH’s Chief Executive Officer, Sue Medson OAM (retired) said, “We are very proud to achieve the Rainbow Tick and I congratulate our staff on embracing this initiative to ensure the services we deliver at GLCH are non-discriminatory, inclusive and welcoming for everybody.”

    Sue added, “This is not the end of the journey. There is still more work to be done, to embed inclusive practice for our clients, staff and community, but we are well on the way.”

    Some of our work with specific groups are:

    • The HEY (Healthy Equal Youth) Project. The HEY Project is about improving the quality of life of same sex attracted sex and gender diverse young people, aged between 14 and 25 years. We are coordinating this program and working in partnership with Headspace and local schools.
    • Australian Government National LGBTI Ageing & Aged Care Strategy. We are making changes to our work practices to respond to the needs of older LGBTI people and deliver care that is sensitive and appropriate.

    We are also…

    • Building inclusive services by providing staff education and resources and a welcoming environment.
    • Seeking consumer feedback from LGBTIQA+ populations about our service delivery. All feedback welcome!  Click on the following link to contact us: https://glch.org.au/get-involved/feedback/

    “Gippsland Lakes Complete Health pays its respects to our community’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, asexual elders, who have laid the stepping stones for us today.” – GLCH’s first LGBTIQA+ Consultation Group