Victoria’s first Gender and Sexuality Commissioner, Ro Allen is holding an LGBTI Equality Roadshow in Swan Hill today and tomorrow.
The aim of the roadshow is to reduce discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people and to promote their inclusion in everyday rural and regional life.
The LGBTI Equality Roadshow has travelled through 20 rural and regional communities over the past few months, spending one or two days in each location to reduce homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and intersexphobia.
The roadshow in Swan Hill is part of a pilot program with the “proper” LGBTI Equality Roadshow earmarked for a March 2017 start, travelling to almost every corner of the state.
Gender and Sexuality Commissioner, Ro Allen, said she is really excited about the roadshow.
“I came from Violet Town and rural Victoria has always been something really important to me.
“I also worked and lived in Shepparton for 20 years so this pilot roadshow is like coming home – almost,” she said.
Ms Allen stressed the importance for supporting the LGBTI community in regional towns.
“Support can’t be all Melbourne-centric; it’s so important to support our regional towns as well,” she said.
“The community dinner held on Wednesday night will be especially great for helping relax people into the conversation about LGBTI inclusion and acceptance.”
To read more of this story, grab a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (November 2).
