Council has adopted the Rainbow Action Plan 2025-29, sending a strong message of support to the Geelong region’s LGBTQIA+ community members.
In Greater Geelong, at least 9.6 per cent of adults identify as LGBTQIA+ and face unique challenges and barriers that are often overlooked by general policy and inclusion efforts. These community members report lower levels of health compared to the rest of the community, as well as higher levels of psychological distress and discrimination.
The Rainbow Action Plan sets out steps the City will take to create a safe, fair and inclusive environment for the LGBTQIA+ community and employees. It aims to address discrimination, inequality, safety and wellbeing and promote inclusion and visibility.
Feedback from the LGBTQIA+ community, allies and other stakeholders helped to shape the final plan, with nearly 700 responses from residents, workers, students, business owners, and visitors in the second round of engagement. They shared their views on how the draft plan reflected their lived experiences and priorities across four key areas: understanding, inclusion, visibility, and safety.
Physical and cultural safety, visibility, building community, finding connections, resources, leadership, discrimination and access to safe and inclusive services were named as barriers experienced by the LGBTQIA+ community.
We sought feedback from the community to understand what the City is doing well to support LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Examples include:
- Installation of the permanent rainbow crossing on Yarra Street as a visible symbol of inclusion
- Youth services and initiatives such as the Gender and Sexuality Project (GASP), which has been running since 1996
- Organisation of LGBTQIA+ events that celebrate diversity and foster a sense of belonging, including the upcoming Wear It Purple youth event
Ongoing consultation with the LGBTQIA+ community to ensure their voices are heard
Actions for the City over the next four years include:
- Deliver public art projects that include LGBTQIA+ histories and experiences
- Identify and prioritise risks to the safety of LGBTQIA+ people
- All early years services to sign up to the Welcome Here project
- Promote opportunities for LGBTQIA+ adults to connect with one another
- Develop a clear and coordinated framework to respond to LGBTQIA+-phobic commentary and coverage on the City’s media and online platforms
- Increased availability of gender-neutral bathrooms in City-owned buildings
- Ongoing LGBTQIA+ training for City staff
- Embed LGBTQIA+ inclusive language and imagery across City documents and online content
The LGBTQIA+ community has been overwhelmingly supportive of the plan, with many respondents expressing that the plan directly impacts them or their loved ones. Contributors described the plan as a meaningful and necessary step toward building a more inclusive, visible, and safe Greater Geelong.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
The LGBTQIA+ community has made significant contributions to the cultural, social and economic fabric of our city.
Everyone has the right to feel safe, included and valued, and this means having equal access to resources, opportunities and a voice in all areas of life.
Now is the time for action, not just words, from the City to create a more welcoming region for LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors.
LGBTQIA+ Committee Chair Councillor Emma Sinclair
We know that LGBTQIA+ community members don’t always feel heard, so we thank them for using their voices for positive change.
I look forward to seeing how the City implements the Rainbow Action Plan over the next four years.
I encourage all Geelong residents to play their part in fostering an inclusive, diverse community.
Visit geelongaustralia.com.au/LGBTQIA to read the plan and find out more about our commitments and programs for our rainbow communities.