The Allan Labor Government has helped eighteen outstanding members of Victoria's LGBTIQA+ communities through a program designed to make them stronger leaders.
Minister for Equality Harriet Shing congratulated each of the graduates of the 2024 Victorian LGBTIQA+ Leadership Program at a presentation event held at the Victorian Pride Centre on Thursday 6 June 2024.
The graduates, already making great strides in leadership positions or influential roles within Victorian LGBTIQA+ organisations or groups, took part in an eight-week course supporting them to improve their leadership skills while making important connections across the LGBTIQA+ sector.
With a focus on impactful leadership, the course included units on improving individual resilience and addressing burnout, a challenge often faced by leaders in the LGBTIQA+ sector.
LGBTIQA+ leaders graduating this year are from different parts of the state including regional Victoria and reflect a diversity of backgrounds, including multicultural and multifaith communities, First Nations, and people with disability.
Among the graduates is Kade Matthews (he/him), a community development officer at Proud2Play and volunteer at Racing Pride who is passionate about LGBTIQA+ inclusion in sports.
Kade was instrumental in bringing about the world's first Formula 1 Pride Hub at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne this year and with the newfound skills acquired as part of the leadership program, he hopes to build a more sustainable, scalable and collaborative LGBTIQA+ community sector, with a focus on smaller organisations.
Since 2018, the Victorian LGBTIQA+ Leadership Program has supported 156 leaders from Victoria's LGBTIQA+ communities to grow their skills and connections in a safe and supportive space.
In Victoria, equality is not negotiable and the Labor Government is strengthening the LGBTIQA+ sector through a range of supports aligned with Pride in our Future: Victoria's LGBTIQA+ strategy 2022-32.
As stated by Minister for Equality Harriet Shing
"Victoria's LGBTIQA+ communities and organisations need strong and diverse leaders just like this year's graduates - in developing their skills, networks, and confidence they will continue to go from strength to strength."
"Our support for LGBTIQA+ leaders - including through this program - is helping to create and sustain safe, inclusive, and diverse communities."
"Our 10-year plan for driving equality across the state, Pride in our future, is shaping programs just like this, and will continue to support our nation-leading work in LGBTIQA+ inclusion, recognition, safety, and pride."
