Community: The Changing Nature of Our Relationships

Thursday 15:30-16:30: ROUND TABLE TO DISCUSS AND ESTABLISH A NATIONAL LBGT ANTI-VIOLENCE COLLABORATION

Greg Adkins, Anti Violence Project of Victoria Inc.
Robert Knapman, Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project, ACON

Contact: vicavp@antiviolence.info; http://antiviolence.info

FACILITATORS’ BIO:

Greg Adkins is Executive Director of the Anti-Violence Project of Victoria Inc., the peak body addressing violence and the GLBT communities.  A director of Family Planning Victoria, Greg chairs their audit, finance & quality committees. You can hear him each Saturday at noon co-hosting the long-running Detours travel & tourism program on JOY 94.9
Robert Knapman has over 20 years experience in the Human Service sectors both in NSW and South Australia. A significant amount of this work has involved working with sexual diverse communities and in HIV education. He currently works as Project Officer with ACON’s Lesbian and Gay Anti-Violence Project - a community support, education and advocacy project addressing homophobic abuse/violence/hate crime and same-sex domestic violence in NSW.

ABSTRACT:

Organised anti-violence initiatives have existed under the AVP name in NSW and Victoria for well over a decade.  Each exists with a different model of operation and community-fit, community collaboration and funded or non-funded relationships.  Anti-violence work in many other states is undertaken by a range of organisations, groups & individuals with similar shared goals.  Is there agreement in the need to bring it all together and allow for sharing, cross-border collaboration, true national partnerships?  Is the LGBT Alliance the best fit as an umbrella organisation?  Is there merit in shared collaboration and how can this network be established?  Who resources the model and does it need a traditional model of resourcing or a more innovative approach?

KEY MESSAGES:

• A commitment and desire for engaging collaboration and networking
• Seeing the value of opportunities for information sharing/innovative, acessible practical networking
• See hte Alliance encouraging & sustaining a 'can do' attitude/approach nationally - beginning with a single & accessible info sharing structure. Initial stages do not require large infrastructure or staffing but can evolve when resourced
• Acknowledge tensions between resolved and unresolved initiatives (e.g. Toronto project) reporting campaign. Can do (RHVP Toronto)/True Visions as examples - good practice, easy to roll out

Thursday 16:45-17:15 AUSTRALIAN RAINBOW FAMILIES NETWORKING, SUPPORTING AND ADVOCATING TO CREATE CHANGE

Ruth McNair, Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne & Rainbow Families Council
Felicity Marlowe, Rainbow Families Council

Contact: r.mcnair@unimelb.edu.au

FACILITATORS’ BIO:

Felicity Marlowe was a founding member of the Rainbow Families Council and Coordinator of the successful Love Makes A Family campaign. She is a member of the Victorian Attorney Generals LGBTI Advisory Committee and is the Rainbow Families Council representative on a number of state and federal consultative committees and working groups. Felicity has worked extensively with same sex attracted and trans young people and is currently the coordinator of the Councils Education & Advocacy Working Group seeking changes to adoption, surrogacy and relationship recognition, including marriage.  She and her partner Sarah have three young children.  Ruth McNair is a general practitioner in an inner-urban general practice and a Senior Lecturer at the Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne. She is Treasurer of the Rainbow Families Council (Victoria) and Chairperson of the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Health and Wellbeing. She is involved in lesbian and gay parenting at a number of levels, including providing fertility advice for same-sex couples as a GP, advocating for legislative change and conducting parenting research.

ABSTRACT:

Aims: 1.To create an opportunity for networking for those involved in/with rainbow families including prospective parents 2.To explore the possibility of establishing a national rainbow families network or alliance. 3.To identify key legal and community issues affecting the health and wellbeing of rainbow families that require lobbying and advocacy at a federal political level. 

Approach: We will start with introductions and sharing of any state-based rainbow families activities. We will then showcase some of the work of the Rainbow Families Council in Victoria and describe our structure. Examples include the successful Love Makes a Family campaign to obtain legal and social recognition of rainbow families, and the Who is in your family resource for childcare workers. A group discussion will follow aiming to identify the political, legislative and community challenges for rainbow families around Australia. 

Outcomes: By the end of the session we will have a list of key national issues that require action, particularly in a federal election year. We will also have reached an understanding of the need and feasibility for a national rainbow families association, and a process for its establishment including the development of a nation-wide contact list of key people to establish an initial working group. 

Significance: The Health in Difference conference provides a rare opportunity for like-minded groups and individuals to develop the capacity to lobby for urgent change towards better health and wellbeing of our families. Since 2006 the Rainbow Families Council has created a well-resourced website and active membership base of over 240 members, some of whom reside outside of Victoria.  We regularly support similar groups or individuals across Australia. The Council believes that, given recent state and federal reforms, the time is right to establish a national network.

KEY MESSAGES:

• interest to establish a national rainbow families network. Would LGBTI take the lead? Purpose a) website as a parenting clearing house, blog/forum for discussion and questions b) advocacy on national issues. Would need funding
• Federal education issues: a) manage b) social support and education - separation issues and broader child services c) federally funded families bodies to include rainbow family inclusive policies d) adoption