Victoria’s Gender and Sexuality Commissioner calls for more funding for lesbian, bisexual and queer women’s health

Victoria’s Gender and Sexuality Commissioner Rowena Allen has called for a greater focus
on lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women’s health, pointing to current gaps in research and services for
LBQ Women, and the poorer health outcomes these groups face.
The call comes ahead of next week’s Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women’s Health Conference in Melbourne,
presented by the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) and ACON. Now in its second year, the conference brings
together industry experts, service providers and community members from around Australia to discuss
the health and wellbeing of LBQ women.
Commissioner Allen said the conference would be a chance to address some of theses health issues.
“We have an opportunity in front of us to greatly improve the health and wellbeing of lesbian, bisexual and
queer women. We need a response that includes targeted programs considering the unique needs of LBQ
women, and we need research to support that response. Funding better health outcomes for LBQ women
must become a priority,” she said.
“The overwhelming response to last year’s inaugural LBQ Women’s Health Conference is a testament
to how much the community wants and needs this important dialogue. Expanding the scope of the
conference to a national level in this second year is a promising sign we’re moving in the right direction.”
ACON’s Director of HIV and Sexual Health Karen Price echoed the commissioner’s calls, highlighting the
specific health issues these communities experience.
“We are committed to highlighting the particular health issues facing LBQ women such as higher rates
of smoking, higher rates of substance use, poorer mental health and lower screening participation rates.
We also know that this subpopulation is not effectively reached by mainstream health messaging or
campaigns,” said Price.
“For those of us working to maximise the health and wellbeing of LBQ Women, we know there’s a big job
ahead of us to ensure our communities’ health issues are better understood by decision makers.”
“ACON is proud to partner with VAC to deliver this conference. Ensuring there is a space for key partners to
share knowledge, experience and thinking on these issues is pivotal. We believe that by bringing women
together we will foster collaboration, galvanise effort and amplify our messages.”
An international keynote speaker for the conference has also been announced: Professor Julie Fish from
De Montfort University in Leicester. Professor Fish has published widely on human rights and LGBT health
inequalities around the world.
“Professor Fish is recognised as a leader in her field, and having her deliver the conference keynote is a
fantastic opportunity to connect the work we’re doing here to what is happening in LBQ women’s health
worldwide,” said VAC CEO Simon Ruth.
“This conference is the only one of its kind in Australia, and the huge interest in last year’s event proved
how much it is needed, and how much we need to find ways to create opportunities for conversations
about women’s health specifically.”
The LBQ WOmen’s Health Conference will take place on Friday, 27 May, 9.30am – 4.30pm. For more
information about the conference and to see the conference program, visit: www.vac.org.au/LBQWHC2016