To the National NAIDOC COMMITTEE.

Each year the National NAIDOC Committee awards the following categories;

- Caring for Country of the Year Award

- Lifetime Achievement Award

- Female Elder of the Year Award

- Male Elder of the Year Award

- Youth of the Year Award

- Sportsperson of the Year Award

- Scholar of the Year Award

- Apprentice of the Year Award

- Person of the Year award

- Artist of the Year Award

These categories acknowledge and recognises the remarkable achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People as individuals and their workplace. 

This petition is to add a 12th category to the achievement list. The category would be to acknowledge and recognise the remarkable achievements of our Black LGBT Community. 

Our Black LGBT Community plays a central role in many aspects of our lives. Whilst swimming in a murky river, they are usually the bridge between our families, our communities and our people in general.

Our Black LGBT Community are our Mothers, our Fathers, our Uncles and our Aunties all of whom uphold our cultural identity. 

Our Black Indigenous LGBT Community are staunch advocates in all forms of Aboriginals Affairs and Black Politics; including but not limited to the advocacy of Homelessness, Suicide Prevention, Sexual Health Promotion.

Our Black LGBT Community are generally marginalised by mainstream Australia where frontline services unfortunately do not cater for our Black LGBT community in regards to Homelessness, Health Promotion. They face many forms of bigotry even within the broader LGBT community of mainstream Australia. 

Having another NAIDOC category that acknowledges our Black LGBT Community might not seem as though it would change much to some. The overall aim of this advocacy is for a better change to our inclusiveness as a broader Indigenous community that is accepting and tolerant of all our people no matter who they are.

This advocacy of a NAIDOC Award dedicated to our Black LGBT Community has been around for many years. This petition is here to help keep the momentum up.

A NAIDOC Award for our Black LGBT Community would change and pave the way for our future.

Feel free to kindly sign this petition for the NATIONAL NAIDOC COMMITTEE to consider for the future awards.

Photographer - Simone Davidson

Photo of Felicia Foxx (Wendell), Ash and Brad.

With Regards,

Clayton Simpson-Pitt

Gamilaraay-Weiliwan-Yuwaalaraay