Black Rainbow Australia’s Post

A Message from us at Black Rainbow: Back Blacker, Brighter and Cuter Than Ever! tl:dr Thank you all for your continued support and belief in our mission. We’re back! Stronger, blacker, cuter and brighter than ever, and we can’t wait to continue this journey together. Stay tuned for new educational merchandise and for community activations around the country. Please also keep an eye for updates on our website and social media and our new bi-monthly newsletter, ‘Deadly and Proud’ out in the coming weeks. With love, solidarity, and belonging. The Black Rainbow Family and as always, you matter. ❤️

By invitation, we are presenting at the NACCHO Australia Members' Conference 2023 today with all 145 Member Services receiving a swag of Black Rainbow merchandise that includes: Our What is LGBTIQA+SB? Guidebook, the What is LGBTIQA+SB? Tea towel and LGBTIQA+SB Fridge magnet combo, Black Rainbow playing cards, Badges and Stickers. Plus we have around 250 Black Rainbow t-shirts to give away to lucky delegates. Our products are designed to be both captivating and meaningful. We are committed to being champions of change and using our platform to raise awareness of the challenges facing First Nations LGBTIQA+SB people.

We have 16 x $1000 grants for First Nations LGBTIQA+SB community members who demonstrate they are high achievers and may require additional support Our Futures Fund is putting our donations to work. See more here: https://lnkd.in/gKWG_qu4

Get ready to snap those fingers cause HELLA QUEEN is back baby! HELLA QUEEN is a celebration of our city's vibrant LGBTQIA+ community and an opportunity for queer performers to showcase their artistry in a safe space from Section8 Melbourne. Part funds raised from this event will be used to support Black Rainbow's next LGBQTIA+SB retreat, which will bring together First Nations LGBQTIA+SB community members from regional and remote communities for a weekend of connection and social well-being. The retreat will be held in the Northern Territory in mid-2024.

Choose to End Indigenous Disadvantage. Choose to End the High Rates of Suicide. Choose to End the Widening Life Expectancy Gap. Choose to End Poverty in Indigenous Communities. Choose to End Unsafe Drinking Water. Choose Love. Choose Hope. Choose Yes. #VoteYesAustralia

A case for First Nations LGBTIQA+SB Self-Determination (2022) Black Rainbow and KPMG This report builds a case for self-determination of First Nations LGBTIQA+SB policy and services, amplifying the voices that will ignite change. Together we have have developed three action areas based on what we heard from the people we spoke with and the broader body of evidence. These describe what government, the service sector, and community can do right now to make health policy, health services, and research and monitoring more responsive to the needs of the community. First Nations Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, Sistergirls and Brotherboys (LGBTIQA+SB) are the voices of the Black Rainbow. These voices and their stories are as unique, diverse and vibrant as the people and communities themselves. Recognition of this uniqueness has lagged behind in Australia’s health system, policy, and funding which has traditionally managed Indigenous and LGBTIQA+SB affairs as two separate communities. This erasure and exclusion causes harm to First Nations LGBTIQA+SB people. Many are forced to delay or go without healthcare, because their needs are overlooked by mainstream, LGBTIQ+, and Aboriginal Community Controlled services. This is unacceptable in a fair and equitable society. The ongoing and evolving partnership between Black Rainbow and KPMG was brought about through a shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of First Nations LGBTIQA+SB people through systemic change leading to real, tangible outcomes. Through our collaborative approach to this report and the work that has come before it, we have collectively learned from the community members who have shared their stories and perspectives with us. We recognise these people as change leaders, and their communities as having the power and commitment to enact the change which we hope to create through this report. We have developed three action areas. These describe what government, the service sector, and community can do right now to make health policy, health services, and research and monitoring more responsive to the needs of the community. What needs to happen next 
Governance, service delivery, and research are the three areas with the greatest opportunity to drive change and impact the lives of First Nations LGBTIQA+SB people and communities for the better. Starting from the short term, a commitment to action needs to be made into the medium-term (2-4 years) and long-term (5+ years). 
At the heart of all actions is self-determination, which embeds community voices at every stage of the decision-making process from community boards, organisational and service leadership, to policy and funding. Continuing and building upon the strong tradition of community-led advocacy, research, and support systems is the key to ensuring services and communities are safer and affirming of LGBTIQA+SB people in all aspects of their identity. https://lnkd.in/gH25eEbN

Just a reminder that our 2023/2024 Futures Fund is open! For the 2023/24 round, we have 16 X $1000 Futures Funds Grants Available Check out our ad in this month’s Koori Mail or go to https://lnkd.in/g3DntfGd

Are you a mental health professional that has a track record of working with First Nations LGBTIQA+SB people? Our Queeroboree series is looking for people like you to be part of our upcoming webinars that are delivered to a national multi-disciplinary audience. The series attracts over 2000 registrations and is viewed by multiple sectors, professionals, and government departments. If this sounds like you, please get in touch. Email is below.

We are distressed and heartbroken by the recent report of the high levels of suicides in our community. Our thoughts are with those who are struggling. Please know that you matter and that you are not alone. There are people who care about you and want to help you get through this. Love and support can make a difference. If you are concerned about someone who is struggling, please reach out to them and let them know that you care. Our thoughts are also with our families, friends and loved ones who have been affected by suicide over the years and are grieving these losses. If you, too, are struggling, please know that you matter and that you are not alone. We are thankful to the work of Walkern Katatdjin for bringing these issues to light. https://lnkd.in/dJ6k3uBj Please, if you or someone you know requires support, there is support available. Queerspace https://lnkd.in/gtc5qeWp 
Lifeline on 13 11 14 
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 Headspace on 1800 650 890 ReachOut at au.reachout.com