LGBTQI+ community grant recipients announced
Eleven community-led groups and organisations across Western Australia have been awarded a total of $150,000 under the Proud and Connected Community Grants program, delivered by Living Proud in partnership with the Mental Health Commission (Commission).
The program encouraged groups and organisations to apply for grants to support people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and other gender identities (LGBTIQA+) in WA.
The Proud and Connected Community Grants program aims to increase connection and build resilience within the LGBTIQA+ community, while aligning with outcomes outlined in the Commission’s WA Suicide Prevention Framework 2021-2025.
Successful grant recipients include:
- GRAI - WA Quality of Life survey
- Kimberley Blak Pride - Kimberley Blak Pride Festival 2024
- Out South West - Dining for Diversity
- Albany Pride - Albany Pride Support Group
- OUTMidWest - A Rainbow Road to Supported Communities
- PFLAG - Community Support
- Queernarvon - Queernarvon Festival weekend
- TransFolk of WA - Peer Support Groups
- Busselton Pride Alliance Inc - Empowered and Connected Festival: Busselton
- Ending Conversion Practices WA - Scoping and Implementation – Conversion Practices Survivors Network
- Care Collaborative - QUILTBAG sewing workshops/circle
These groups and organisations will deliver their funded activities between July 2023 and May 2024.
Mental Health Commissioner Maureen Lewis said the Proud and Connected Community Grants program was important in supporting the LGBTIQA+ community to increase social connections and improve mental wellbeing.
“Research has shown that WA’s LGBTIQA+ community continues to experience psychological distress, stigma, social isolation, and discrimination,” Ms Lewis said.
“The program’s community-led style of delivery allows the successful grant recipients, who best understand the needs of their communities, to help in the most meaningful way.
“By supporting the LGBTIQA+ community through providing grants such as this, we are reducing the risk of WA people experiencing mental health and alcohol and other drug issues.”
For mental health, alcohol and other drug support and information call Here For You on 1800here4u (1800 437 348) from 7am to 10pm any day of the week.
Find more helplines here. In an emergency, call 000.
