Resources

7th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2021

research | lgbtiqa+ youth, high school, education, Sexual health and relationships

7th National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health 2021
Report Launched: 2022
Authors: Jennifer Power, Sylvia Kauer, Christopher Fisher, Roz Bellamy and Adam Bourne

The National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health (SSASH) is a periodic survey of sexual health among school-aged young people in Australia. In this report, we present findings from the seventh iteration. The SSASH survey reports on a range of issues related to sexual identity and experiences, STI and HIV prevention, and relationships and sexuality education and provides information about the progress of key priority areas in the Fourth National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy (Australian Department of Health, 2018).

A Guide to Coming Out for Parents, Families and Friends

Resources | Family Violence, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

A resource for families of young people who have come out/invited people in regarding their diverse sexuality or gender identity.

All of Us Booklet

| LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice, Education

The Safe Schools Coalition Australia guide for a Health and Physical Education resource for years 7 and 8 on the topic of gender and sexual diversity. This unit is taught in conjunction with videos, student handouts and posters.

All of Us Videos

|

The All Of Us videos, along with accompanying unit guide, student handouts and a poster, aim to build understanding of sexual diversity, intersex and gender diversity for years 7 and 8.

Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council Directory

Links | QTIPOC, People of Colour, Faith and Religion

AGMC is a peak body for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer individuals and community groups of multicultural and multifaith backgrounds.

AGMC works alongside government agencies, LGBTIQ organisations, as well as multicultural and multifaith communities to ensure our voices are heard and not forgotten. AGMC is committed to work with diverse communities, including migrants, international students, refugee and asylum seekers, young people, and people with disability. AGMC believes that celebration of our identities can greatly improve our health and well-being while continuously challenging the persistence of stigma, prejudice and discrimination.

Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines For Trans and Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents

Resources | LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice, Trans and Gender Diverse

The Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines (ASOCTG) aim to maximise quality care provision to trans and gender diverse children and adolescents across Australia, whilst recognising the unique circumstances of providing such care to this population.

Beyond a Rainbow Sticker

Research | LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

A report on How2 create a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex
GLBTI) inclusive service

Beyond Homophobia Report

Research | LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

Beyond homophobia- Meeting the needs of same sex attracted and gender questioning (SSAGQ) young people in Victoria
A policy blueprint

Bisexual Inclusive Practice E-Learning Module

Links | Bisexuality, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

The Bi+ Australia e-learning module is designed for anyone working with people and can be completed by anyone who is interested in learning more about bisexuality. It will be most valuable to service providers including social workers, medical and nursing professionals, teachers, counsellors, psychologists and others in community support roles. This module will be valuable to service providers both in Australia and internationally.
Cost: $20

BISH

Links | Sexual health and relationships

BISH is a UK guide to sex, love and you for everyone over 14. It’s for people who are (or are thinking about) having sex and relationships. Hopefully it’s for all genders and sexualities (even asexual folk), people with disabilities, backgrounds, beliefs and values.

Bits & Bods

Links | Sexual health and relationships

A web series for teen girls and gender diverse teens about sex, bodies and all the awkward bits in between.

Challenges and benefits of running online groups

Resources | Mental Health, Education, Rainbow Network, Networks

Experiences of HEY partners during COVID-19.These notes come from a discussion between HEY partners working with LGBTQIA+ young people in Victoria in 2020.
Notes compiled: September 2020

Checklist of Good Practices for Service Providers working with Autistic LGBTIQ Young People

Resources | Family, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

Having access to support services that understand and embrace Autism, neurodiversity and LGBTIQA+ identity is a crucial aspect of young people having positive mental wellbeing. Through extensive input from LGBTIQA+ and/or Autistic young people across Australia, I CAN Network has developed this checklist of signals that a service provider is inclusive and accepting.

This resource was funded by the Victorian Government through the Healthy Equal Youth program and its
grant to I CAN Network Ltd.

Clear Expectations Guidelines

Resources | Trans and Gender Diverse

Guidelines for institutions, galleries and curators working with trans, non-binary and gender diverse artists.

Coming Out, Inviting In- Rainbow Network Guide Sheet

Resources | LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice, Rainbow Network

A resource for those supporting LGBTIQA+ young people about responding to a young person who shares with you about their sexuality, gender or intersex variation.

‘Counting us in’ MYAN report on the settlement experiences of LGBTQI+ refugee & asylum seeker young adults

Research | QTIPOC, People of Colour, Faith and Religion, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

This study sought to gain a better understanding of the settlement experiences of Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and other identities (LGBTQI+) refugee and asylum seeker young adults (18-30) living in Australia, situated within the broader context of their lives post-migration.

Families like mine

Links | Mental Health, Family

Families like mine is a multimedia guide that offers practical advice to families of young gender diverse people, same-sex attracted and bisexual people, and those who are questioning their sexuality or gender identity.

The guide was developed because research shows that family support can have a significant positive impact on the mental health of young lesbian, gay, bisexual or gender diverse people.

Families like mine is free and has been distributed to parent groups, school councils and youth organisations across the country.

From Blues to Rainbows

Research | Trans and Gender Diverse

This study of 189 young people, aged 14 - 25 aims to redress the absence of positive, resilience focused research for gender diverse and transgender young people

Gender Help for Parents

Links | Family, Trans and Gender Diverse

Resources for parents of trans and gender diverse children created by Australian parents who struggled to find information about services and support for issues around their children’s gender identity.

Gender identity and mental health

Resources | Mental Health, Trans and Gender Diverse

A headsapce fact sheet discussing gender identity and mental health

Gender is Not Uniform

Resources | Trans and Gender Diverse, Education

Gender is Not Uniform is a resource to support schools to develop inclusive uniform guidelines and policies

Government Support for LGBTIQ Victorians Facing Hardship During COVID-19

Resources | Family Violence, Bisexuality, Mental Health, Family, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice, Trans and Gender Diverse, Intersex

We are currently living under Stage 4 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and Stage 3 restrictions in regional Victoria. The state government has made financial and mental health support available for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people seeking help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Guideline: Trans and gender diverse inclusion in sport

Resources | Sport and Recreation, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice, Trans and Gender Diverse

This guideline is aimed at sporting clubs, organisations and staff. It can also help individuals
and players understand their rights.

Guidelines for Establishing a Social and Support Group

Resources | Rainbow Network

Social and support groups are a well established model for supporting the health and well-being of LGBTIQ+ young people in Victoria. Groups provide access to peers, information, support and referral. This guide aims to provide key information on group establishment, group work and practice.

Rainbow Resource for Victorian Councils

Resources | LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

The Rainbow Resource is intended to provide guidance to councils looking to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse and intersex (LGBTIQ) inclusion in their local communities. It showcases several examples of creative, innovative and imaginative work being undertaken by local councils.

The resource includes information for local governments on LGBTIQ inclusion, inclusive language, inclusive practice and the law, and supporting intersectionality across a range of different community groups.

Inclusion Guide to Respecting People with Intersex Variations

Resources | Intersex

This resource was developed by Intersex Human Rights Australia (IHRA) to provide best practice guidance on supporting and respecting people with Intersex variations.

International Day for People with Disability

| LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice, Education, Rainbow Network

December 3 is International Day for People with Disability. We want a world where people with disabilities - of all genders
and sexualities - are welcome and respected everywhere they live, work and learn. A world where everyone has safe and equitable access to support for their health and wellbeing.
A recently released report* shines light on the experiences of LGBTQA+ people with a disability and/or long-term health conditions. The report draws on data from individuals who participated in Private Lives 3 or Writing Themselves In 4 – the largest ever survey of LGBTQA+ adults and young people in Australia respectively.
The report findings show that people with a disability are more likely than most in the LGBTQA+ community to feel excluded, more likely to be subject to harassment or abuse and more likely to experience poor mental health.

“As a young trans person with a complex disability, I will assume your services are not safe for people like me and for people like my partner and my chosen family.”
Ivy (she/her), queer, trans girl, with a progressive neurological, cognitive, physical and psycho-social disability.

There is so much strength and expertise among the LGBTIQA+ and disability sectors. With meaningful involvement of LGBTIQA+ people with disability at every level, we can work together to reform systems and services to be genuinely inclusive, safe and welcoming for LGBTIQA+ people with disability in Australia.

“For me, personally, I just want to live my life making people happy!”
Thomas Banks (he/him), queer with Cerebral Palsy.

*Full report website: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs/work/lgbtqa-people-with-disability

Social media tiles available to download from the report website.

Intersex for parents (IHRA)

Resources | Family, Intersex

Information for parents who have a new baby, or are planning a pregnancy, or who have recently discovered that their child has an intersex variation, sometimes called a “DSD” or “disorder of sex development”.

LGBTIQ+ Homelessness & Family Violence - Information for Caseworkers (Film)

| Family Violence, Mental Health

This video by Wombat Housing Support Services will provide you with some information about what family violence, homelessness and/or mental health issues might look like amongst LGBTIQ+ young people and some things you need to keep in mind when working with them.

LGBTIQ+ Homelessness & Family Violence - Information for Young People (Film)

| Family Violence, Mental Health

This video by Wombat Housing Support Services explores what services exist to support young LGBTIQ+ people experiencing family violence, homelessness and/or mental health issues. What you can expect when you get support from these services and what your rights are.

LGBTIQA+ People Are Welcome Here: poster

Posters | Aromantic, Asexual, Bisexual, Gay, Intersex, Lesbian, LGBTIQA+ youth, Primary school, Respectful relationships, Secondary school, Tertiary education, Transgender

Created with Zoe Belle Gender Collective and Rainbow Network, these posters are in a series of four vibrant designs that help to signal safety and inclusion to the LGBTIQA+ folks you work with and for.

LGBTIQA+ suicide safety cards - Switchboard

Resources | Mental Health

The cards are designed to help someone stay safe from acting on thoughts of suicide and give practical tips on how to navigate conversations about suicide.

They also contain blank fields for each person to complete their own personal safety contact, prompts reminding them what the signs of being overwhelmed look like, and what steps to take that increase feelings of safety.

LGBTQ+ Change And Suppression Practices Fact Sheet

Resources | Education

Government fact sheet about LGBTQ+ Change And Suppression Practices

LGBTQA+ Suicide Prevention Guidelines

Links | Mental Health, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

Suicide prevention in LGBTQA+ young people: Best practice guidelines for clinical and community service providers.

Investigators: Dr Penelope Strauss, Dr Nicole Hill, Larissa Marion, Dylan Gilbey, Zoe Waters, Dr Julie Moore, Marco Costanza, Michelle Lamblin, Associate Professor Jo Robinson, Professor Ashleigh Lin and Dr Yael Perry

While many LGBTQA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and/or gender diverse, queer/questioning, asexual and other diverse sexualities and genders) young people experience happy and healthy lives, evidence has shown that LGBTQA+ young people experience elevated rates of mental health difficulties, suicidal thoughts and behaviour relative to their heterosexual and cisgender peers.

NAIDOC 2020 Rainbow Network newsletter special edition

Resources | QTIPOC, People of Colour, Rainbow Network

To mark NAIDOC week 2020, we have put together this resource for you to download and to share.
It is a compilation including all of the stories, resources and services, relevant to young LGBTQIA+ indigenous folk, that we have shared in the Indigenous Voices section of our newsletter in 2020. We have produced this material in collaboration with our young, queer, indigenous guest contributor, Courtney Hagen.

National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Mental Health Suicide Prevention Strategy

Resources | Mental Health

The National LGBTI Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy is a plan for strategic action to prevent mental ill-health and suicide, and promote good mental health and wellbeing for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people and communities across Australia.

This strategy includes recommendations across the breadth of approaches in Australian mental health work including promotion, prevention, intervention, treatment and maintenance.

Next Generation Pride Report

Resources | LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

Minus18, in partnership with Victorian Pride Centre, launched Next Generation: Pride; a project that explores and presents the ideas, perspectives and priorities of LGBTQIA+ youth looking to feel welcome in a community space.
We have compiled our findings in this report, with the intention that any LGBTQIA+ youth group, organisation or space can look to this in order to best understand how young people want to see and be part of shaping more inclusive, accessible and engaging environments.

OMG I'm Queer

Resources | LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

Created by young people, OMG I’m Queer takes on sexuality and gender identity, exploring them with real life experiences and attitude.
Featuring contributions from queer young people from all over Australia, OMG I’m Queer is the one-stop introduction to sexuality and gender for young people.

Pansexual & Panromantic Visibility and Awareness Day

Resources | Bisexuality, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice, Education, Rainbow Network

People who identify as pansexual may be attracted to people of any gender. Panromantic refers to people who may be romantically attracted to people of any gender.
For pan people, gender isn’t a factor in their attraction to a person. Pan identities sit under the Bi+ umbrella. There are many different words to describe physical, romantic and/or emotional attractions.

Follow the link to find the full resource to download.

Parents of Gender Diverse Children

Links | Family, Trans and Gender Diverse

Resources for parents supporting trans and gender diverse children and young people

Pride in Prevention: A guide to primary prevention of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities.

Resources | Family Violence, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

Pride in Prevention summarises the current available evidence on the drivers of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities and provides recommendations for priority interventions to address it.

Pride in Prevention: Messaging Guide

Resources | Family Violence, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

A guide for communications and engagement to support primary prevention of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities.

This guide aims to build the expertise and capacity of both LGBTIQ and mainstream organisations and practitioners in the design and delivery of primary prevention of family violence experienced by LGBTIQ communities. This includes those experienced in working to advance LGBTIQ rights, health, and wellbeing, and those experienced in the primary prevention of violence against women and broader efforts to promote gender equity.

Private Lives 3 National Report

Resources | Family Violence, Bisexuality, People of Colour, Mental Health, Family, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice, Sexual health and relationships, Trans and Gender Diverse, Intersex

Private Lives 3 (PL3) is Australia’s largest national survey of the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people to date. The survey provides vital information for health professionals, service providers, community organisations and governments to better understand and support the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ people in Australia.

Rainbow Network Balance or Burnout

Guides | Employment, LGBTIQA+ youth

Balance or burnout; sustainability for workers in the LGBTIQA+ youth sector.

Rainbow Tick accreditation and evidence guide

Resources | LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

This supplement to 'Rainbow Tick standards: A framework for LGBTIQ cultural safety' outlines the associated actions and examples of evidence to support Rainbow Tick accreditation.

Rainbow Tick Standards: A framework for LGBTIQ cultural safety

Resources | LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

The Rainbow Tick framework supports organisations to improve the quality of care and services they provide to LGBTIQ service users, staff and volunteers, and in achieving Rainbow Tick accreditation.

RAISING THE BAR - How to be an intersex ally: a guide for organisations and individuals keen to go further than trying to define the term

Resources | Intersex

This resource by Intersex Human Rights Australia (IHRA) provides guidance to organisations and individuals on how to be an intersex ally.

Safe Schools

Links | LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice, Trans and Gender Diverse, Education

The Safe Schools Coalition Australia provided a range of resources to help school leadership, teachers and communities create safer and more inclusive environments for same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students, school staff and families. Resources included whole school materials for more inclusive practices with anti-bullying messages. Principals and teachers used their own professional judgement on how to best use these resources for their school context.

Setting up Online Groups Guide

Resources | Mental Health, Education, Rainbow Network, Networks

A guide to setting up online social and support groups for LGBTQIA+ young people. This resource is a supplement to our existing resource:
Guidelines for Establishing Youth Groups.

Stand Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia & Queerphobia: poster

Posters | Aromantic, Asexual, Bisexual, Gay, Intersex, Lesbian, LGBTIQA+ youth, Primary school, Respectful relationships, Secondary school, Tertiary education, Transgender

Created with Zoe Belle Gender Collective and Rainbow Network, these posters are in a series of four vibrant designs that help to signal safety and inclusion to the LGBTIQA+ folks you work with and for.

Stand Together: poster

Posters | Aromantic, Asexual, Bisexual, Gay, Intersex, Lesbian, LGBTIQA+ youth, Primary school, Respectful relationships, Secondary school, Tertiary education, Transgender

Created with Zoe Belle Gender Collective and Rainbow Network, these posters are in a series of four vibrant designs that help to signal safety and inclusion to the LGBTIQA+ folks you work with and for.

Guide to supporting a student to affirm or transition gender identity at school.

Links |

This guide is intended to help all schools to provide support for students who are taking steps to affirm a gender identity at school.

Supporting the Families of LGBTIQ+ young people- A Rainbow Network guide

Resources | Family, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice, Rainbow Network

This resource provides ideas and links to resources and information about how to support the families of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer
(LGBTIQ+) young people.

Tip Sheet - LGBTIQ Inclusion for COVID-19 Remote Services

Resources | LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

Rainbow Health Victoria has created this tip sheet to assist in providing safe and inclusive remote services to LGBTIQ people due to the impact of COVID-19.

Tips for Autistic LGBTIQA+ Young People

| LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

These tips have been developed to give Autistic LGBTIQA+ youth better ideas and resources for accessing support.

These tips have been developed through surveys and consultations with young people, Autistic LGBTIQA+ adults, service providers, and families across Australia. This resource was funded by the Victorian Government through the Healthy Equal Youth program and its grant to I CAN Network Ltd.

Tips for Grown Ups Supporting Autistic LGBTIQA+ Youth

| Family, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice

Understanding and acceptance is key to developing trust and positive mental health trajectories in Autistic-LGBTIQA+ youth. These tips are designed for grown ups who support Autistic LGBTIQ youth and are based on surveys and consultations undertaken with young people, along with input from Autistic LGBTIQA+ adults, service providers, and families across Australia.

This resource was funded by the Victorian Government through the Healthy Equal Youth program and its grant to I CAN Network Ltd.

Trans 101

Links | LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice, Trans and Gender Diverse

BEING TRANS, GENDER IDENTITY, AND WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT
Trans 101 is a starter pack designed to help people better understand what it means to be trans, and how to make the world and better, safer, happier place for trans and gender diverse people.
Videos and a downloadable booklet.

Transcend - A Guide for Parents

Links | Family, Trans and Gender Diverse, Education

This resource is designed to give you, the parent or carer of a trans, gender
diverse or non-binary (TGDNB) child some tips on how to support and be an
advocate for your child at school to ensure they can participate fully in their
education and their school community.

Transcend - A Guide for Schools

Links | Family, Trans and Gender Diverse, Education

A resource for schools about how to make your school a safe and inclusive environment for a trans, gender diverse, or non binary (TGDNB) student and how you can support them to affirm their gender. This document provides guidance on how you can best support this student and their family.

Transcend - Student Support Plan

Links | Family, Trans and Gender Diverse, Education

A practical plan to assist you in supporting a trans, gender diverse or non-binary (TDGNB) young person with affirming their gender at school.

Transforming Families Website

Links | Family, Trans and Gender Diverse

Parents of young people questioning their gender identity, or who identify as gender diverse, now have access to evidence-based resources to help support their child’s mental wellbeing, thanks to the Transforming Families website.
A Telethon Kids Institute-led collaboration with community organisations, the website provides practical, easily accessible information, and aims to improve mental health outcomes for trans children and young people.

Transgender and Gender Diverse Inclusive Care Guide - for hospital based health care professionals

Resources | Trans and Gender Diverse

This inclusive-care guide has been prepared by the Zoe Belle Gender Collective and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

The aim of the guide is to minimise harm and ensure respectful care for Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) patients.

We Celebrate Gender, Sexual & Bodily Diversity: poster

Posters | Aromantic, Asexual, Bisexual, Gay, Intersex, Lesbian, LGBTIQA+ youth, Primary school, Respectful relationships, Secondary school, Tertiary education, Transgender

Wear it Purple Day

| Mental Health, LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice, Education, Rainbow Network

The last Friday of August marks Wear it Purple Day.
Join thousands of schools, universities, workplaces and community groups and wear purple on Friday August 26th to show LGBTIQA+ young people everywhere
that they are loved and supported, and that they have the right to be proud of who they are.

Writing Themselves In 4 - National report

| Disability, Cultural diversity, Faith & religion, Employment, Housing, LGBTIQA+ youth, Primary school, Secondary school, Tertiary education

This is the largest ever study on the experiences of LGBTQA+ young people aged 14-21 in Australia. Over 6000 young people participated, this national report includes findings and recommendations.