The Informer

For many of us, being a part of the workforce means committing much of your daily life to a specific workplace environment, but unfortunately for many in our community, those environments aren’t committed to us. Despite advances in recognition and marriage equality in broader society, a lot of us still feel like we have to hide or censor our relationships and LGBTI identities when in our professional roles.

Luckily, some businesses are committed to changing this, and as recognised by the Australian workplace equality index awards, AGL is one of them.

Dean Arcuri spoke to Phil, recruitment operations manager from AGL on what it takes for an Australian employer as large as AGL to receive Gold Employer Status and the steps they are taking to ensure LGBTI workplace inclusion internally, as well as external public support.

This segment aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on 10th July 2018 & was hosted by Dean Arcuri.

When we talk about family violence we mean all families and relationships, no matter your sexuality or gender, but when it comes to research data and the focus of our attention in the family violence narrative, that has been about heterosexual family violence.

So where then, do the LGBTI communities fit in the narratives of family violence?

The Victorian Government is provided funding of almost $100,000 for a ground breaking participatory project to help prevent family violence in LGBTI relationships to help to change this.

The grant will allow Women’s Health East to work with young LGBTI people to investigate and co-design appropriate and relevant resources that will support the development of respectful relationships across the state.

Dean Arcuri found out more as he spoke to Kristine Olaris, the CEO of Women’s Health East and Lara, the project lead for the new LGBTI Family Violence Preventions Project for Women’s Health East.

This segment aired on The Informer on JOY 94.9 on 10th July 2018 & was hosted by Dean Arcuri.

On this episode of The Informer we look at a new family violence prevention program that the Victorian Government has funded almost $100,00 for to research and create resources that focus on LGBTI family violence and respectful relationships.

We speak to Rainbow Families Queenland, who are relaunching this month, and we find out what it takes to make an inclusive workplace for your LGBTI staff with AGL Energy.

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 & was hosted by Dean Arcuri.

On this episode of The Informer we find out about the rebranding of the Victorian Aids Council, as the new name was announced at VACs 35th anniversary celebration on the weekend to Thorne Harbour Health.

Why was this change needed and what does it represent? We find out with CEO Simon Ruth.

Plus, how safe do gay men really make queer spaces for women?

We look at this issue from a very different perspective tonight, as we talk to drag performer Menorah Foxx, who is also a cisgendered straight women, and find out if they really get to let their guard down when in a queer space.

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 and was hosted by Dean Arcuri.

Gay men, have you ever thought about how you really treat women in queer spaces? I mean really thought about it?

Are they the inclusive space we want it to be for all, or is it just inclusive for you?

Menorah Foxx is a drag performer in Melbourne who surprised me when she told me that she was actually a straight cisgender women.

When Menorah came to us wanting to share her story, it was one that we think a lot of gay men need to hear.

While we can all agree that more needs to be done to create a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone, are we really doing our bit to make that happen or are we just part of the problem?

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 9th July 2018 and was hosted by Dean Arcuri

In the lead up to their 35th anniversary, LGBTI health organisation and Australia’s oldest HIV/AIDS organisation, the Victorian AIDS Council, also known as VAC, announced that they were changing their name to Thorne Harbour Health at their anniversary celebrations on the weekend.

The new name recognises two visionary community leaders in the organisation’s history of advocating for the health and wellbeing of both people living with HIV and LGBTI communities — Alison Thorne and Keith Harbour.

Dean Arcuri spoke with Throne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth about the rebranding and looking to the future of the organization.

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 9th July 2018 and was hosted by Dean Arcuri

In the lead up to their 35th anniversary, LGBTI health organisation and Australia’s oldest HIV/AIDS organisation, the Victorian AIDS Council, also known as VAC, announced that they were changing their name to Thorne Harbour Health at their anniversary celebrations on the weekend.

The new name recognises two visionary community leaders in the organisation’s history of advocating for the health and wellbeing of both people living with HIV and LGBTI communities — Alison Thorne and Keith Harbour.

Dean Arcuri spoke with Throne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth about the rebranding and looking to the future of the organization.

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 9th July 2018 and was hosted by Dean Arcuri

New South Wales Health organisation ACON has launched a new training website for health professionals and organisations, to improve their inclusion practices and better serve LGBTI clients, customers, and staff.

So how does it work?

It’s simple, you head to pridetraining.org.au and find out the best way to create a more inclusive working place for your staff and your business.

Allowing an organisation or individual to that information into their own hands with the e-training, business can actually reach out and get the help that they need at the click of a button.

It is training after all so there is a bit more to it than that. But getting the right support in the workplace is so important, especially within our transgender and gender diverse communities and intersex population.

We have repeatedly heard from members of our communities that when they go to medical professionals, they have to educate them or the GP simply doesn’t know what to do. But training such as this helps level the playing field on a professional level and create greater understanding of the diversity and needs of Australia’s LGBTI communities.

Accessing the information is simple and you can engage with it in the way that works best for you or your organization.

Dean Arcuri speaks with ACONS Managing and Training Coordinator, Joe Lonn.

Click here to head to the website. https://www.pridetraining.org.au

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 5th July 2018 & was hosted by Tom Morgan.

South Australia’s Safe Schools Anti Bullying Initiative is no more. The training and support program which has been going for over a year has helped to support schools to become a more safe and inclusive environment for same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students, staff and families.

So, what happens come Monday when students, staff or families need support, training or just advice when it comes creating a safe space for LGBTI students? A new strategy is in development by the South Australian Department of Education, the Anti-bullying initiative, a new approach to anti-bullying, providing broader scale support, training and resources to help staff to identify and address bullying and to create safe and inclusive environments for all.

Whether that will truly take the place of the Safe Schools Anti Bullying Initiative remains to be seen, we will have to see how that develops, but even though SA’s Safe Schools and Anti Bullying Initiative will end Friday, that doesn’t mean the impact and inclusion they have created for schools and students around the country will.

Dean Arcuri spoke to Kelly, the previous Program Manager of the Safe Schools and Anti Bullying Initiative as we look back at the impact the program has had over the past year.

All enquiries and requests for support should now be directed to the Department for Education Engagement and Wellbeing team on 08 8226 2069 or email [email protected].

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 5th July 2018 & was hosted by Tom Morgan.

Last week the Tasmanian Attorney-General Elise Archer confirmed that the Tasmanian state government is reviewing the births, deaths and marriages act and is looking to stop forced trans divorce in the state.

Currently, transgender Tasmanians can’t change the gender on their birth certificate unless they have surgery to remove their reproductive organs.

But Tasmania’s Transgender community are speaking up, saying it’s time to also address the other barriers that prohibit transgender people from living full and equal lives.

Tomorrow afternoon, Tasmania’s transgender community will come together and stand tall as they begin to campaign for the rights of Transgender Tasmanians.

Dean Arcuri spoke with Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Martine Delaney.

Click here to sign the petition to stop forced surgery on transgender Australians.

https://www.change.org/p/stop-forcing-surgery-on-trans-australians?recruiter=841491245&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 5th July 2018 & was hosted by Tom Morgan.