The Allan Labor Government is again backing connection and inclusion for young people in Victoria's LGBTQA+ communities through the latest round of the Healthy Equal Youth (HEY) grants.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt today announced that 13 community groups will share in more than $100,000 of funding from the HEY program.
Now in its 14th year, the HEY grants program aims to promote diversity, eliminate stigma and discrimination, and ensure young LGBTIQA+ Victorians are safe, empowered and celebrated.
The Labor Government partners with the Youth Affairs Council Victoria to deliver the grants, which have supported more than 120 organisations and provided more than $1.3 million of funding since 2010.
This year, eight of the 13 projects receiving grants are youth-led - empowering young LGBTIQA+ people to lead mental health and social connection initiatives in their communities.
Four projects in regional Victoria will receive support, including the Over the Rainbow project in Mount Alexander Shire, which connects young LGBTIQA+ people with others in the queer community through events and excursions.
The So Let's Affirm You (SLAY) project in Geelong will receive funding to provide gender affirming kits to trans and gender diverse young people to improve mental health and decrease experiences of isolation.
In Melbourne, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) will run a three-day film workshop designed to provide LGBTIQA+ young people with the skills and confidence to tell their own stories in a safe and inclusive environment.
In the City of Casey, young people will lead a professional development forum for teachers to boost their understanding and ability to support LGBTIQA+ students.
The HEY grants program is part of the Labor Government's support for programs that improve mental health outcomes for LGBTIQA+ Victorians across the state.
Since the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System handed down its final report, the Labor Government has invested more than $6 billion into Victoria's mental health and wellbeing system - the largest investment in mental health in the state's history.
As stated by Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt
"The Healthy Equal Youth grants are supporting our young people to lead the way in initiatives that celebrate diversity and inclusion while eliminating stigma and discrimination."
"These projects will help young LGBTIQA+ people to feel safe and empowered to tell their stories - ensuring they can live freely and authentically."
As stated by Minister for Equality Vicki Ward
"We're focused on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young LGBTIQA+ Victorians and building a future where everyone feels included and celebrated."
