About the campaign
Good health starts with safe spaces.
This is why we're calling on everyone to come together to create safe spaces in their community so everyone feels welcome and safe.
As a Rainbow Tick accredited health provider that proudly supports and advocates for LGBTIQA+ communities, we're calling on you to help us create safe spaces in the community for anyone that identifies LGBTIQA+.
People that identify LGBTIQA+ experience poorer mental health and higher rates of suicide than the broader community. They are also are at higher risk of some health conditions and may not access support or services due to fear of discrimination. We hope to change this but need your help! Let's work together to create safe and inclusive spaces for all.
Find out how you can get involved below!
Who inspired the campaign?
Alison Black! Alison is a Melbourne local and LGBTIQA+ advocate who shared her story with us. As someone that identifies LGBTIQA+, Alison has experienced years of discrimination and harassment that left her scared to travel alone or access services. Sadly, Alison's story is not uncommon.
Alison hopes that her experience may inspire others to make change, so that more spaces are safe and inclusive for all.
How can you get involved?
Help us create safe and inclusive spaces at your workplace, organisation, school, cafe or other public space that you visit. You can do this by downloading and displaying some (or all!) of the fun items we've put together to show that it's a safe space. These items were created by talented designer Johanna Villani that identifies LGBTIQA+.
Visuals
Click here for groups, workplaces or organisations to start creating safe spaces >
Click here if it's just you and how you can show your support for safe spaces >
Educational
Remember to get consent first!
While we understand you may be excited to get Safe Spaces items out and about in your community, if the space isn't yours such as a library or cafe, remember to ask and get permission first before putting anything on display. Consent and respect is just as important!
The tram
Our Safe Spaces tram was made possible by the Yarra Trams Community Partnerships Program. It helped us spread the message and looked amazing while doing it!
The rainbow tram ran on the 109 line from 19 December 2019 until 31 March 2020.
The facts
Did you know?
- Human Rights' Face the Facts found 6 in 10 people that identify LGBTIQA+ have been a victim of verbal homophobic abuse.
- The Black Dog Institute report that ‘same-sex attracted people are 14 times more likely to attempt suicide, twice as likely to experience anxiety disorders and three times more likely to experience affective disorders compared with the broader population’.
Merri Health is a recipient of the 2020 Yarra Trams Community Partnerships Program.