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Young LBGTIQ young people can access workshops and information about sexual health.

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The WA AIDS council, established in 1985, leads the Western Australian community in the provision of a wide range of services in the prevention, treatment and care of people living with HIV/AIDS

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Empowerment model -

Peer group based of like-minded young people

Non-radical

The major problem - young people dont have enough power or control over their own lives

values of empowerment non-radical model - (a) help individuals become more powerful within whatever framework of values that person chooses, (b) young people need more control over their own lives (c) provided that adults and authority figures do not prevent young people; they are capable of making their own decisions

Motivation Intervention - youth workers provide support systems which provide them with agencies they can contact.

Disciplines informing practice - social welfare and the legal and para-legal professionS

(Cooper, 2017).

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Mental Health Commission - Western Australia

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The Western Australian Mental Health Commission is responsible for planning and purchasing mental health, alcohol and other drug services.

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funded by the Mental Health Commission to prevent mental illness and promote mental health, aiming to:

increase community connectedness and engagement (or reduce social isolation),

provide relevant information about all aspects of health & wellebing, and;

encourage & support help-seeking.

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Freedom centres main focus is on providing mental health support to young people of gender diversity through links on their website.

According to the Freedom centre; mental health can be most evident in young LBGTIQ people. Young LBGTIQ people can be prone to mental health issues as it is concerned with the way we young people think of ourselves and thus, participate in society as everyone else does.

·         LGBTIQ or being confused about your sexuality or gender doesn’t mean you have a mental illness. Feeling attracted to the same gender is as natural as being attracted to the opposite gender. Feeling confused about your gender or like your gender is not what others expect. You are not alone; there are plenty of others who feel similar feelings to what you’re feeling.

·         Everyone deserves to be treated with RESPECT by others. It is not okay for people to call you names, or tease you, or make you feel unsafe

·         It can take time to know who you are and being confused is a normal part of figuring it all out

·         It’s OK to be yourself – whoever that is

·         Trust your feelings and talk to someone you trust about them

·         Being different can be hard, but it can be more interesting and fun too!

·         Support is out there.

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Needing support right now? Try some of the following 24 hour phone services

The Samaritans Youthline

1800 198 313

Kids Helpline

1800 551 800

Also offers online counselling. Go to http://www.kidshelpline.com.au/ for more.

Lifeline

13 11 14

http://www.lifeline.org.au/

Crisis Care

Metro Ph: 08 9223 1111 (24hrs)

Country callers Ph: 1800 199 008 (24hrs)

Youth Beyond Blue

1300 224636

https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/

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The age bracket is between 15 - 25years
Freedom center focuses on young people of LBGTIQ status, under the age of 26 years old.

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A booklet with questions and answers, myths, stereotypes and great tips for coming out to friends and family. 

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A booklet with questions and answers, myths, stereotypes and great tips for coming out to friends and family. 

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29 August 2014
The 29th of August is 'Wear it Purple Day.' This year the student led organisation is focusing on identifying stereotypes and preconceptions to educate about sexuality and gender diversity. Allanah Lucas, Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, said she was proud to release the GuidelinesSupporting Sexual and Gender Diversity in Schools on this special day.

Ms Lucas said, "The Guidelines have been developed in line with the National Safe Schools Framework to support schools in their valued work in providing positive learning environments that are inclusive of diversity and safe from discrimination, bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex difference."

Ms Lucas commended the positive steps schools are currently taking and stated, "The Guidelines are here to encourage good practice and provide information and resources to schools and their communities.

"Many do not realise the harm and suffering that such bullying can cause."

Ms Lucas stated, "The Guidelines had been developed with extensive consultation with public and private education sectors and related agencies in WA, together with the use of recent national research."

Research reveals that same sex attracted and gender questioning students between 14 -21 are actually experiencing more abuse at school than in previous years: 61% reported verbal homophobic abuse, 18% reported physical homophobic abuse and 69% reported other forms. Overall, 80% experienced the abuse at school (up from 69% a decade ago).

Schools that have policies prohibiting homophobic discrimination and bullying in Tasmania and Victoria show a significant reduction in prejudice and reduced levels of bullying across the entire school community.

Ms Lucas said Australia has laws that underpin the respect, fairness and safety expected in school environments. The Commission can provide information, links to resources and training. The Guidelines are available on the Commission's website at www.eoc.wa.gov.au.
Quotes from Community Leaders
Support for implementation of the Guidelines has come from a broad range of people and organisation including:

Narelda Jacobs Presenter Channel Ten

"These guidelines build on the great work already being done in WA schools to support sexual and gender diversity, because our children need to know they're safe from discrimination, bullying or harassment."

Kylie Catto President WA Council of State School Organisations Inc. (WACSSO)
"The Guidelines are a positive and timely step forward in improving equality in schools."Every student should go to school feeling safe and confident that their individual circumstances will be respected.

"WACSSO is proud to have been part of the development of these Guidelines, which, using best practice will encourage schools to provide support, resources and strategies for LGBTI young people and their friends, siblings and parents.
"We know many schools are already doing a great job in this area and the Guidelines will help them to build upon the positive steps taken to ensure all schools are a safe and inclusive place for the whole school community."

Geoffrey Bice Uniting Church
"The Uniting Church is fully committed to human rights having promised at our inception to "oppose all forms of discrimination which infringe basic human rights and freedoms." The Social Justice Board of the Uniting Church in Western Australia believes that providing GLBTI young people with a safe school environment is a vital element in that work and is proud to endorse the Equal Opportunity Commission's GLBTI School Guidelines."

Sue Ash UnitingCare West
"UnitingCare West is proud to have been able to participate in the development of these guidelines. Our True Colours program, which offers support for LGBTI youth in Bunbury, will be involved in numerous events to raise awareness and reduce emotional and social isolation for youth in rural schools. Our hope is that these guidelines better enable school's staff and students to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone."

Dani Wright Toussaint Freedom Centre Coordinator:
"These Guidelines will provide the crucial foundation for WA schools to equitably provide a safe school environment for the 17% of students that are LGBTIQ."

Pat Byrne President of the State School Teachers' Union of WA
"The SSTUWA is proud to have been involved in the development of the Guidelines for Supporting Sexual and Gender Diversity in Schools. This is an important progression in supporting and celebrating sexuality and gender diversity within our school communities and in doing so prevent sexuality discrimination and homophobic bullying. Our schools should be a safe and affirming environment for LGBTI students, staff, parents and families."

You are welcome to contact:

State School Teachers' Union of W.A. Inc. T 08 9210 6000 | Pat Byrne President@sstuwa.org.au, or Lincoln Rose (Sen. Vice President) in 3rd instance, Samantha Schofield (Junior Vice President) VicePresident@sstuwa.org.au

Freedom Centre Danni Wright Toussaint Coordinator 0419945219 info@freedom.org.au

FOR ADDITIONAL COMMENT: Public Affairs Officer, Colleen Mack
(08) 9216 3911 mob 0437 213 837
Level 2, 141 St Georges Terrace, Western Australia 6000

Tel: (08) 9216 3900 -Fax: (08) 9216 3960

Email: eoc@eoc.wa.gov.au Website www.eoc.wa.gov.au

Equal Opportunity Commission

LGBTI

Age homophobic vilification Sexual orientation bullying

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Guidelines support sexual and gender diversity in schools

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Ms Lucas said, "The Guidelines have been developed in line with the National Safe Schools Framework to support schools in their valued work in providing positive learning environments that are inclusive of diversity and safe from discrimination, bullying and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex difference."

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Stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Queer, otherwise diverse in their sexuality and/or gender (including asexual, pansexual, demisexual, polysexual, polyamorous, sapiosexual, aromantic, agender and more) or Questioning their sexuality, and/or gender.

Also, LGBT, GLBT, GLB, LGB, GLBTI, LGBTIQQ, LGBTQIA (A is for Asexual) or LGBTI are used
(Freedom center, 2013)

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Main activities - How they engage with young people

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Main activities - How they engage with young people

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They engage with young people through a safe social space
·         Freedom centre is comprised of staff members who are young and are LBGTIQ – meaning that young people of the same status are more likely to turn to the organisation for safe and secure support.

·         The centre has organised workshops and events which are created or decided by young people of LBGTIQ status.

·         Most of the activities are based around young people interests regardless of their status. For example, there are computer and internet access, games, and craft activities.

·         Zine making is another activity which Freedom Centre engages in. This is an activity based on expressions through writing.

·         The Freedom centre has DROP IN sessions where activities and ideas take place. Times and dates are available on their website: http://www.freedom.org.au/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&view=events&layout=month&Itemid=120

·         Freedom centre approaches schools to make them aware of the issues that young LBGTIQ people face in the community. Their aim is to create a safe and secure teaching environment for schools.

They provide the schools with guidelines and policies that support gender diversity.

·         Freedom centre creates multiple booklets filled with information that young people can access when they realise they are LBGTIQ.

Booklets include Simplytrans, Gender Questioning, However you wanna see me, I’m just me, OMG my friends Queer etc

·         There is an Outspace workshop which informs young LBGTIQ people about the issues faced.

·         The centre also engages with young LBGTIQ people by going on retreats. Here, informational workshops will be held too.

·         Qculture is a workshop which acknowledges young LBGTIQ people of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture as well as other diverse cultures.

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·         Purpose of the organisation/program
focus is on education and prevention around mental health and sexual health.

Freedom centre is a centre which has young people working with/for young people; sort to support those people of LGBTIQ status who share similar experiences.

The centre aims to encourage and support young people who are LGBTIQ

The centre is aware that people of this status can experience isolation, and therefore, seeks to increase social awareness of experiences.

Freedom centre also provides information and support to those young people experiencing depression and poor wellbeing, due to being LBGTIQ.

The Freedom centre staff and volunteers are also young and are LBGTIQ, meaning their experiences would make a bigger differences to young people in the public compared to workers that do not share common experiences.

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How We Work At Freedom Centre - The Peer Model

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A safe space for young gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning people to hang out and access information about mental health, sexuality, gender and events.

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The freedom center is an organisation that is a place or young lesbian,gay,transgender,