Change Makers

Same sex attraction has always been a taboo in schools, and lesbian, gay and bisexual young people have generally experienced shame, violence, and both overt and indirect prejudice and discrimination.

For several years a growing number of Victorian organisations representing local government, the youth sector and sexual health worked to provide social support and education to these young people, focussing on HIV risk, suicide prevention and drug and alcohol harm reduction.

Philanthropy has provided the opportunity for these organisations to develop a strong coalition and to work with research organisations to ocument concerns, develop and promote models of good practice in schools and the youth sector, advocate to government and assist the development of policy in both education and human services. Same sex attracted young people have been assisted to develop their own approaches to advocating for change, and are networking and sharing strategies across the state and nationally.

The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development now has an explicit platform for including discussion of homosexuality in curriculum, and recognising the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual students across school practice. The coalition of organisations funded through philanthropy to achieve these ends now confidently awaits government funding to continue their work.