Beyond The Rainbow: Building LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Services and Specialist Practice in Regional Areas
Tracks
Stanley C
| Wednesday, November 8, 2023 |
| 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM |
| Stanley C |
Overview
Michael Gordon-Tarnowski, Drummond Street Services and Andrew Macdonald, Anglicare Victoria
Speaker
Michael Gordon-Tarnowski
LGBTQIA+ Youth and Family Practitioner
Drummond Street Services
Beyond The Rainbow: Building LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Services and Specialist Practice in Regional Areas
Abstract
Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, asexual (LGBTIQA+) people live healthy, happy and positive lives. However, there are some specific areas in which members of LGBTIQA+ communities experience significantly poorer outcomes than their cisgender and heterosexual peers. In particular, rates of homelessness, substance misuse, family violence, mental illness, self-harm and suicide are disproportionately high. Research shows that stigma and discrimination experienced by LGBTIQA+ people are key factors to these poorer health outcomes and psychological distress, while family connection, acceptance, supportive relationships, community connection and a sense of belonging can be protective factors and predictors of mental health and wellbeing.
In 2020, the Victorian Government funded Drummond Street Services, in partnership with regionally located consortia partners Upper Murray Family Care, and Anglicare Victoria, to establish the Q-Space network. This innovative service provides specialist counselling and family support to LGBTIQA+ people and their families in regional locations, with the aim of improving safety, mental health and wellbeing; and improving family relationships, community connections, and support. The service model locates specialist queer practitioners within mainstream family service organisations, with the aim of building capacity of the whole service to be accessible, safe and inclusive to regionally based communities. To achieve this aim, we have provided training, consultation and organisational support to build specialist LGBTIQA+ practice across mainstream program areas.
In this interactive workshop, we will explore the need for more safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTIQA+ people in regional areas. We will discuss how practitioners and organisations can work towards making meaningful changes to better engage and support their local LGBTIQA+ community members.
We will facilitate a range of activities to help participants develop their awareness, skills and confidence to provide safe and inclusive services to meet the diverse needs of LGBTIQA+ folk in regional areas.
In 2020, the Victorian Government funded Drummond Street Services, in partnership with regionally located consortia partners Upper Murray Family Care, and Anglicare Victoria, to establish the Q-Space network. This innovative service provides specialist counselling and family support to LGBTIQA+ people and their families in regional locations, with the aim of improving safety, mental health and wellbeing; and improving family relationships, community connections, and support. The service model locates specialist queer practitioners within mainstream family service organisations, with the aim of building capacity of the whole service to be accessible, safe and inclusive to regionally based communities. To achieve this aim, we have provided training, consultation and organisational support to build specialist LGBTIQA+ practice across mainstream program areas.
In this interactive workshop, we will explore the need for more safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTIQA+ people in regional areas. We will discuss how practitioners and organisations can work towards making meaningful changes to better engage and support their local LGBTIQA+ community members.
We will facilitate a range of activities to help participants develop their awareness, skills and confidence to provide safe and inclusive services to meet the diverse needs of LGBTIQA+ folk in regional areas.
Biography
Michael Gordon-Tarnowski (he/him) is a queer identified LGBTQIA+ youth and family practitioner working in Geelong and the Surf Coast within Drummond Street Services’ QSpace and Qhub programs. Michael comes from a psychology background with his honours in psychology from RMIT and bringing the community 8 years' worth of experience, having worked across multiple roles supporting individuals and families experiencing family violence, AOD, homelessness and mental health challenges. His passionate and dedicated work for community draws on his lived experiences and working history to best support individuals and families by using trauma-informed and strength-based intersectional frameworks.
Andrew Macdonald
LGBTIQ+ Child and Family Therapist
Anglicare Victoria
Beyond The Rainbow: Building LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Services and Specialist Practice in Regional Areas
Abstract
Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, asexual (LGBTIQA+) people live healthy, happy and positive lives. However, there are some specific areas in which members of LGBTIQA+ communities experience significantly poorer outcomes than their cisgender and heterosexual peers. In particular, rates of homelessness, substance misuse, family violence, mental illness, self-harm and suicide are disproportionately high. Research shows that stigma and discrimination experienced by LGBTIQA+ people are key factors to these poorer health outcomes and psychological distress, while family connection, acceptance, supportive relationships, community connection and a sense of belonging can be protective factors and predictors of mental health and wellbeing.
In 2020, the Victorian Government funded Drummond Street Services, in partnership with regionally located consortia partners Upper Murray Family Care, and Anglicare Victoria, to establish the Q-Space network. This innovative service provides specialist counselling and family support to LGBTIQA+ people and their families in regional locations, with the aim of improving safety, mental health and wellbeing; and improving family relationships, community connections, and support. The service model locates specialist queer practitioners within mainstream family service organisations, with the aim of building capacity of the whole service to be accessible, safe and inclusive to regionally based communities. To achieve this aim, we have provided training, consultation and organisational support to build specialist LGBTIQA+ practice across mainstream program areas.
In this interactive workshop, we will explore the need for more safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTIQA+ people in regional areas. We will discuss how practitioners and organisations can work towards making meaningful changes to better engage and support their local LGBTIQA+ community members.
We will facilitate a range of activities to help participants develop their awareness, skills and confidence to provide safe and inclusive services to meet the diverse needs of LGBTIQA+ folk in regional areas.
In 2020, the Victorian Government funded Drummond Street Services, in partnership with regionally located consortia partners Upper Murray Family Care, and Anglicare Victoria, to establish the Q-Space network. This innovative service provides specialist counselling and family support to LGBTIQA+ people and their families in regional locations, with the aim of improving safety, mental health and wellbeing; and improving family relationships, community connections, and support. The service model locates specialist queer practitioners within mainstream family service organisations, with the aim of building capacity of the whole service to be accessible, safe and inclusive to regionally based communities. To achieve this aim, we have provided training, consultation and organisational support to build specialist LGBTIQA+ practice across mainstream program areas.
In this interactive workshop, we will explore the need for more safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTIQA+ people in regional areas. We will discuss how practitioners and organisations can work towards making meaningful changes to better engage and support their local LGBTIQA+ community members.
We will facilitate a range of activities to help participants develop their awareness, skills and confidence to provide safe and inclusive services to meet the diverse needs of LGBTIQA+ folk in regional areas.
Biography
Andrew is an accomplished clinical psychotherapist and counsellor with over fifteen years’ experience supporting the mental health of the LGBTIQA+ communities, their carers and families.
Andrew is currently an LGBTIQA+ Child and Family therapist for the QSPace Network, a service that was created to provide counselling and support services to regional Victorians. Alongside this, he operates a video-based private practice supporting folks from around the world.
Andrew holds memberships with the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia, the Australian Counselling Association and the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association.
