LGBTIQ+ Health Australia

In recognition of R U OK? Day yesterday, it is important to remember to check in on your friends and loved ones, and start a conversation on mental health and wellbeing. R U OK? has created a range of resources for LGBTIQ+ people, acknowledging the unique challenges they face and providing support for those who are struggling. Please find them here: https://lnkd.in/ghbWwYNt

Today we sadly mourn the passing of Bill Whittaker, a visionary leader and tireless advocate in Australia’s community-led response to HIV. As ACON's first CEO during the initial years of the AIDS crisis, followed by a number of stints as AFAO President, Bill's contributions to the HIV response on an international level is insurmountable. Please find NAPWHA’s and Health Equity Matters’ joint statement on Bill's passing here: https://lnkd.in/g3rFpH6q

Each day, 9 Australians die by suicide and more than 150 attempt to take their own life. The Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy outlines how we change our approach and prevent this. The draft Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy has just been released for public consultation. It’s important that you have your say. Click here: https://lnkd.in/gFPPpRUm to have your say.

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia today congratulates Prime Minister and Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh, who is responsible for the Census, for demonstrating strong leadership by listening to experts, swiftly considering the advice and deciding to include a new topic on gender and sexual orientation in the 2026 Census. To read LGBTIQ+ Health Australia's full statement on the issue, please find it here: https://lnkd.in/gMcRZFkk

Over 120 peak bodies, health experts, and community organisations have joined us in calling for the inclusion of the proposed three new topics in the 2026 Census. LHA has developed the Joint Statement to demonstrate that the inclusion of the proposed three topic areas of gender, variations of sex characteristics and sexual orientation in the 2026 Census is important to health and wellbeing sectors across Australia. The Statement emphasises that these questions are key to creating informed policies for health and economic services, understanding how people use health and social services, and addressing the major health disparities faced by LGBTIQ+ people. To read the Joint Statement, and to add your organisation's endorsement, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eF4e6GEf

The Briefing Podcast dedicated yesterday's episode to discussing the decision to exclude questions on sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics, and sexual orientation from the 2026 Census. LGBTIQ+ Health Australia's CEO, Nicky Bath, was featured on the podcast to discuss the importance of census data in planning for the future and responding to health disparities faced by LGBTIQ+ people in Australia. Listen to the full episode below.

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia's CEO, Nicky Bath, featured on ABC News Hour this evening to address the Government's disappointing decision to exclude questions on sex, gender, variations of sex characteristics, and sexual orientation from the 2026 Census.   Watch the clip to hear Nicky discuss why comprehensive data collection is crucial for addressing health disparities faced by LGBTIQ+ people in Australia.

Media Release: Lack of LGBTIQ+ inclusion in the next census will adversely impact health outcomes The Albanese Government’s decision that it will not include questions counting LGBTIQ+ Australians in the 2026 Census (as reported by Sky News) shows a shameful lack of commitment to addressing the health and wellbeing disparities experienced by LGBTIQ+ people. This will have a lasting negative impact on people’s lives for many years. Full statement: https://lnkd.in/gKP2Kxbq

An important legal case was decided today! Justice Bromwich found that trans women are protected under our existing discrimination laws and that Roxanne Tickle was discriminated against on the grounds of her gender identity when she was excluded from a women’s networking app. Trans women should be free to live their lives with dignity and respect, free from discrimination.

End of Life Law for Clinicians (ELLC) is a free national training program for health professionals and students about end of life decision-making laws across Australia. ELLC has updated its 13 online training modules to include new laws and enhance interactive learning. You can register for the modules here: https://lnkd.in/g7x_3TEe