Kingston's ongoing commitment to acknowledging, including, supporting, and celebrating LGBTIQA+ communities has been recognised through our Youth Services achieving Rainbow Tick accreditation.
In 2021, Council resolved to complete the Rainbow Local Government Pledge commitments, one of which was to undertake Rainbow Tick Accreditation to create LGBTIQA+ inclusive and culturally safe spaces for community members accessing our services and Kingston employees in our work environments.
The other commitments, that were previously achieved, included:
- Developing and implementing an LGBTIQA+ Action Plan for Council.
- Establishing or continuing an LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee to Council.
- Flying the rainbow flag from Council buildings on LGBTIQA+ awareness days.
- Marching at Pride March under a council banner or participating in Midsumma or local pride events.
Mayor Jenna Davey-Burns said she was extremely proud to lead a Council that was delivering on its commitments and more broadly placing inclusion and respect at the heart of everything we do.
"Two years ago, we set our organisation the task of meeting the Rainbow Local Government Pledge commitments as a way of better supporting those in Kingston who are members of LGBTIQA+ communities and having now achieved the Rainbow Tick it is very rewarding to have done that," Cr Davey-Burns said.
"The Rainbow Tick accreditation process is very robust and challenges organisations to prioritise ongoing improvement. It has been both educational and eye opening for us and provided us with some really valuable tools."
Como Ward Councillor Chris Hill said the accreditation was a testament to the inclusive environment the Youth Services team have created.
"We have an absolutely awesome Youth Services team and the work they are doing across the board with our young people is making a real difference to lives. It was great to see their outstanding culture recognised in the final accreditation report," Cr Hill said.
Kingston Youth Services is a free, confidential, and non-judgemental service. Our Youth Service staff work with young people (aged 12 – 25) who live, work, and study in the City of Kingston.
They can help with accessing information, support, and referrals on a range of issues, including those experienced by LGBTIQA+ young people, and develop, promote, and run programs, activities, and events while also providing counselling and individual supports.
To find out more about how Kingston is supporting our LGBTIQA+ community members visit kingston.vic.gov.au/community/lgbtiqa-community.
To find out more about Kingston Youth Services visit kingstonyouth.org.au.
About Rainbow Tick
The Rainbow Tick is a quality framework that helps health and human services organisations show that they are safe, inclusive and affirming services and employers for the LGBTIQ community.
The Rainbow Tick standards, owned and developed by Rainbow Health Australia, are designed to build lasting LGBTIQ inclusion.
Accreditation is provided through independent assessment, provided by Quality Innovation Performance and Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.
Services can include the six standards as part of their cycle of service accreditation or can apply to do the Rainbow Tick as a stand-alone assessment subject to ongoing reassessment and quality improvement.
