Approximately 17,000 residents in Greater Dandenong identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or asexual (LGBTIQA+).

But a report to Greater Dandenong Council in December 2019 found that LGBTIQA+ residents feel excluded, ignored, invisible and isolated.

The 2019 report also found that LGBTIQA+ people in Greater Dandenong experience increased rates of victimisation, vandalisation, and threats.

We know that harassment and discrimination have a negative impact on LGBTIQA+ people’s health and wellbeing.

LGBTIQA+ people in Greater Dandenong continue to face significant discrimination.

To address this, many Victorian councils have a working group or advisory committee specific to the LGBTIQA+ community, but Greater Dandenong Council don't.

The 2019 report found that "there are no known formal or informal networks for the LGBTIQA+ community in the municipality."

Greater Dandenong Council have committed to engage with LGBTIQA+ communities to provides genuine opportunities for participation in decision making, input into the responsiveness of existing services, and to find solutions to current unmet needs, so now it's time to follow through on that commitment.

We need Greater Dandenong Council to establish an LGBTIQA+ Advisory Group to recognise the specific concerns and needs of the LGBTIQA+ community and to ensure its services are accessible and inclusive.