26 March 2013

Diversity Hub opens doors

| Barcham
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Katy Gallagher opened the new Diversity ACT Hub today, a new support centre for the LGBTIQ community.

“These new premises in Kambah will promote and advance the social rights and reduce discrimination against LGBTI persons,” the Chief Minister said.

The facility will provide a service hub, a support network and a community resource that will support the aspirations and full acceptance of LGBTI members of the Canberra community.

The centre will support the diverse range of experiences of all citizens of the ACT, and support the equal rights and treatment of all Canberrans, inclusive of their sexual or gender orientation.

“The Hub has the potential to support many Canberrans experiencing discrimination and to advance the acceptance of LGBTI persons.” the Chief Minister said.

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Masquara said :

Are the buildings and surrounds smoke free? Or is it administered along the same lines as many publicly funded drug & alcohol recovery centres, where the “need to smoke and counteract stress” is seen to override other health considerations.

Even the psych wards in Canberra are smoke free now, so I’m guessing it’s pretty much everywhere

Are the buildings and surrounds smoke free? Or is it administered along the same lines as many publicly funded drug & alcohol recovery centres, where the “need to smoke and counteract stress” is seen to override other health considerations.

Diversity ACT is a community service organisation that was set up by a group of LGBTI Canberrans to fill service gaps that were not being adequately serviced by existing organisations.

Diversity ACT provides a support services telephone line that provides referrals to other organisations, such as social services and gives LGBTI people in need of support someone to talk to. It is staffed by qualified social workers and operates 7 days a week.

The Diversity Hub is a safe space that allows LGBTI citizens and organisations to meet and use the space. It operates as a drop in centre, a youth space and a resource centre for LGBTI people. This is not to say that straight Canberrans could not participate in activities at the hub. The centre is open to all.

Diversity ACT provides training and education to organisations such as Government Departments and private companies on homophobia and issues specific to the LGBTI community in the work force.

Diversity ACT also operates a youth advisory board which engages younger LGBTI members of the community to provide ideas and events for the youth community.

Diversity ACT also auspices several local LGBTI organisations and fundraises money that is donated to help keep them running.

All of the work that Diversity ACT undertakes is done to foster better relationships and outcomes between the LGBTI community and the wider community. To promote acceptance and understanding about issues that affect both communities.

Just because Diversity ACT is an LGBTI organisation does not mean that you need to be LGBTI to participate. Diversity ACT is always open and willing to work with any organisation or individual that seeks to ensure everyone’s rights are protected.

Diversity ACT’s membership comes from many backgrounds, LGBTI, Straight, ethnic groups and languages. It is supportive of anyone who has a positive contribution to make to the community and endeavours to assist people to do this.

Ben_Dover said :

It’s a meeting place for bummers to have a good whining session.

I thought there were already a multitude of public toilets in parks for their “activities”….

Affirmative Action Man said :

After reading the above I remain totally unenlightened about what the Hub actually does.

It’s a meeting place for bummers to have a good whining session.

I’m sure that even if you don’t have herpes you can go to the herpes clinic, it’s just that there won’t be much of interest for you there.

I’m absolutely certain that they would welcome you non hetronorms if you could add positive

neanderthalsis10:11 am 27 Mar 13

So diversity in this modern age means LGBTI? Apparently the LGBTI community is so diverse that they need to be segregated from the rest of us. One would think that a diversity hub would service diverse client groups, perhaps working with people with disability, those who are culturally or linguistically diverse, youth, the elderly, women, etc…

Those of us who are white, Anglo-Saxon males might even get a look in, or perhaps we can head to the pub for a pint of cider.

Accordingly, women should be called dickless.

Here_and_Now9:40 am 27 Mar 13

Martlark said :

I think it’d be easier just to use NH. IE: Not Heterosexual. That mess of acronyms just looks silly.

It wouldn’t cover T for Transgender or I for Intersex, many of whom are heterosexual.

Non Heteronomative would do it though

LSWCHP said :

Given that the facility is apparently for LGBTI folks, shouldn’t the third para read “The centre will support the diverse range of experiences of all citizens of the ACT, except for those who are heterosexual?”.

Before I get flooded with angry replies, this is just an ironic observation on the use of language in the press release, rather than the start of my campaign to enhance heterosexual hegemony or anything like that.

And I’m precisely sure what the place does either.

I was going to say it’s a bit of a mouthful but though better not 😀

I think it’d be easier just to use NH. IE: Not Heterosexual. That mess of acronyms just looks silly.

But humidicribs can only be provided by public donation.

There’s something wrong here.

Affirmative Action Man said :

Jeez what a load of meaningless & unintelligible waffle.

After reading the above I remain totally unenlightened about what the Hub actually does.

Buys votes with unused closed down schools. A diversity club for a minority? Its either counselling or a front to do GLBT activism.

Given that the facility is apparently for LGBTI folks, shouldn’t the third para read “The centre will support the diverse range of experiences of all citizens of the ACT, except for those who are heterosexual?”.

Before I get flooded with angry replies, this is just an ironic observation on the use of language in the press release, rather than the start of my campaign to enhance heterosexual hegemony or anything like that.

And I’m precisely sure what the place does either.

Affirmative Action Man5:44 pm 26 Mar 13

Jeez what a load of meaningless & unintelligible waffle.

After reading the above I remain totally unenlightened about what the Hub actually does.

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