Victoria's Gender and Sexuality Commissioner Ro Allen led an LGBTI inclusiveness session in Ararat on Thursday, hosted by the Grampians Regional LGBTI network.
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Representatives from a variety of organisations across the region gathered for discussions and ideas brainstorming at the Alexandra Oval Community Centre.
Commissioner Allen said a lot of progress had been made towards making gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people feel part of rural communities like Ararat.
“When we were in the region for the LGBTI roadshow, the LGBTI community in Stawell said we really needed to visit Ararat,” Commissioner Allen said.
“It’s the last stop on our tour, but we saved the best ‘til last.
“We had about 25 people come to talk about LGBTI inclusion in Ararat.”
Commissioner Allen said the legalisation of same-sex marriage had not ended discrimination in some areas.
“We are seeing a lot of people withdraw because of the backlash they received during (the plebiscite) campaign,” Commissioner Allen said.
Ararat Rural City mayor Gwenda Allgood attended the LGBTI exclusivity session along with Crs Peter Beales and Jo Armstrong and council chief executive Allan Bawden.
“I thought the session went really well and there were some good ideas thrown around,” Cr Allgood said.
“Ararat has a chance to talk about inclusiveness in our council plan, which is very important, and to recognise all the different groups.
“Everybody who was there had something to say, there were very good contributions and Commissioner Allen was excellent.”
Cr Allgood said the council needed to take gender diversity into account with its planning strategies.
“We have been told that in many of our buildings, some people are unsure of which toilets they can use,” she said.
Grampians LGBTI care coordinator Carol Starkey said anyone who wanted to join the network could contact her at Grampians Pyrenees PCP on 5352 6225.