ACON - QueerAbility

SURVEY: People who are participants as well as people with who are not currently an NDIS participant are invited by People With Disability Australia (PWDA) to share their experiences in this short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWDA-NDISReview

Pls share!

ID || Closeup photo of hands on a laptop computer II ID

We're excited to announce we are restarting our seven(7) in person workshops and one(1) online workshop for LGBTQ+ people with disabilities wanting to develop a better understanding of the NDIS.

We have 7 workshops planned in:
- Wollongong
- Newtown
-Lismore
-Parramatta
-Campbelltown
-Bowral
-Katoomba

If you're interested in participating and would like more information, please fill out the intake form below! If you need any assistance applying, please don't hesitate to email q***[email protected].

ID|| Rainbow ombre background with the QA logo in the top middle with "Q***rAbility" in black underneath the QA logo. The ACON logo is in the bottom right. There are cut outs of LGBTQ+ NDIS participants across the image. || ID

Q***rAbility - NDIS Workshops ACON is holding several community workshops aimed at enabling LGBTQ+ people with disabilities to gain a better understanding of the NDIS.

Are you confident on camera and want to make a difference?

We’re developing a new Can We campaign about Cervical Screening. It aims to encourage young women (cis and trans) and people with a cervix aged 25-35 years to have a Cervical Screening Test. The campaign will also raise awareness about new Screening options available. The campaign is planned to launch late-2022.

To express your interest to participate, click here: https://www.acon.org.au/canwe_eoi

ID || Large blue text that reads "Want to tell others about Cervical screening?" superimposed over a purple background with a purple graphic of a clapboard. There is the Can We and ACON logo at the bottom right. Bottom left has white text that reads " ACON is looking for talent to feature in our new cervical screening campaign." || ID

If you're a person with a disability, a carer, advocate and/or a treating professional, you have an opportunity to voice your thoughts on how gathering information for access and planning can be better improved.

Have your say here: http://ow.ly/uMh950K37FK

NOTE: Closing date is July 29.

myform.apps.ndia.gov.au

Tell your story with Stories Out West

Stories Out West is a program celebrating LGBTQ+ writers from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse backgrounds who have a connection to Western Sydney.

Connect with other writers, gain access to mentorship and have your work published in an upcoming anthology.

Special thanks to our partner SWEATSHOP for this.

Register now: http://ow.ly/IQlC50JXKgE

ID || a graphic featuring four people of different ethnicities reading books. In the background are powerlines and graphics of houses. There is the sweatshop logo on the bottom left, the ACON logo on the bottom right of this tile. On the top right and left are the colours of the the progress flag. || ID

Q***r Screen is seeking expressions of interest from artists across Australia with disability or who are d/Deaf to supply an original artwork for use by Q***r Screen. The selected work will appear on the front cover of Q***r Screen’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), with the artist to receive $2,000.

ID || Rainbow background with the q***r screen logo at the top left. There is a round pink sticker that has "$2,000 Prize!" in bold white text near the bottom left. Near the bottom right is large text that reads "calling all Artists with disability or who are d/Deaf." || ID

While we do need to support all LGBTQ+ people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people with intellectual disabilities are an especially vulnerable and equally important part of our society.

ID || It is a photo of a person smiling towards the camera. They are wearing white t shirt with a black hoodie underneath an assortment of colourful badges and other paraphernalia. They are holding an umbrella and wearing sunglasses with their hoodie up. They are surrounded by people who are wearing other rainbow paraphernalia. || ID

'What matters is hope, freedom and saying who you are.' What LGBTQ+ people with intellectual disabilities want everyone to know People with intellectual disabilities face additional barriers to access and participation in community, which means their voices are often missing from LGBTQ+ events.

Fancy yourself a model? ACON Pride Training is looking for models based in Sydney! You can have a look below!

ID || Pale pink background with blue bold text that reads "Sydney Based Models Wanted". There is a graphic of four faceless people, two of them are holding the Trans flag which is blue, pink and white in the middle. || ID

The ACON Pride Training team are on the lookout for 4 trans & gender diverse community members for a photoshoot for a new workplace training package.

No modelling experience required, but you'll need your own CORPORATE/OFFICE ATTIRE.

We're hoping to hold the photoshoot NEXT TUESDAY, JUN 7 at the ACON main office (it's last minute, we know!)

Selected models will be reimbursed with a $150 Visa gift card.

UPDATE:
Submissions have been closed for this photoshoot. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]. Thank you to all who submitted your expressions of interest! :)

M3thod is a free and confidential peer led service for gay and bis*xual men (cis and trans), trans women, and non-binary people who use either crystal methamphetamine or GHB in combination with s*x (aka chems*x, party and play, or PnP).

Pivot Point recently had a chat with Justin Xiao the Community Health Promotion Officer for Sexualised Drug Use at ACON about M3THOD, he explained how M3THOD works.

For more info https://endinghiv.org.au/toolkit/m3thod/

ID || Purple background with a graphic representation of a chemical structural formula that read M 3 T H O D. || ID

Introducing M3THOD, ACON’s New Peer Led Service Addressing Sexualised Drug Use - Pivot Point Some people refer to the combination of s*x with drugs like crystal methamphetamine and GHB as chems*x or party and play (PnP). Others call it wired fun or simply partying. Whatever you call it, if you are looking for some support or want to chat to a peer about PnP, M3THOD is for you.

Trans Vitality: Trans-Affirming Practice is a free, four-module eLearning for health professionals in NSW designed to increase your knowledge, skills and confidence when working with trans and gender diverse people. Trans Vitality will help you be a stronger ally and feel more confident in affirming and inclusive practice.

The eLearning is 3 hours long and includes community case studies designed to build your empathy and understanding as you compare them to your own lived experiences of gender, s*xuality and bias. Register for free here:

https://www.pridetraining.org.au/pages/trans-vitality-trans-affirming-practice-elearning-registration

ID || Trans Vitality Logo on the top, with Trans-Affirming Practice eLearning free registration written in white letters. The TransHub and Pride Training Logos are on the bottom. The background is an animated panning picture of trans people living their best life, holding and wearing trans flags and shirts. || ID

Did we miss you at Fair Day?? 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧

Take part in our health survey for le***an, bi & q***r women (trans & cis) and help guide women’s health programs & projects!

SURVEY: https://bit.ly/SWASH2022

ID: Two women fill out the SWASH survey at Fair Day, one leaning her survey against the back of her companion. Text reads: Take part in the longest running survey of le***an, bis*xual and q***r women’s health in the world! Sydney Women and Sexual Health 2022.

We're back from our break and what better way to start the new year then with some q***r and disability affirming stories?

ID || Mac is wearing a navy blue knitted jumper. The collar from the shirt under his jumper is visible and has yellow and blue patterning. He is smiling open towards something off camera. He has purple hair, black studs and a yellow beret/cap. Background is of the blue sky with white clouds. || ID

How a wheelchair helped 18-year-old Mac embrace his identity When he was younger, all Mac wanted was to blend into the crowd. But when disability forced him into the spotlight, the teenager learned to embrace his true self.

Could you be a better partner? 🧡

For more information or to register your interest: www.sayitoutloud.org.au/learn-more/proud-partners-group-program

Proud Partners is a 10-week group program from ACON for any LGBTQ+ person who may be concerned about their behaviours in a relationship, such as lack of respect, controlling behaviours or aggression and violence.

Groups will be held in Sydney in late February.

ID: Text reads: Could you be a better partner? Join our Proud Partners group program: What are healthy relationships? What unhelpful patterns are occurring in my relationships? How do I create healthy boundaries and respect my partners? Line of pride flags: trans flag, rainbow flag, Aboriginal flag & Torres Strait Islander flag. ACON logo.

Russ Gluyas LOVES ‘Oldies With Attitude’ By Jacqualine Hardy Behind that disarming smile lies a steely resolve to ensure that all of our over 55 LGBTQI community stay active, healthy, connected and vocal. When you meet

If you would like to enjoy a series of sessions on all things s*x, s*xuality and disability, you're highly encouraged to attend Northcott's virtual Feel the Vibe week. Register below!

ID|| man in an electronic wheelchair wearing glasses smiling next to a man who is smiling broadly. Both have their thumbs up towards the camera. There are slightly blurred people in the background. || ID

Feel the Vibe Virtual Week A series of fun and interactive sessions for adults with disability to learn all about s*xuality, s*xual health and s*xual fulfilment.

We've been quiet on this page but we have been quietly working away behind the scene! Please join us with Pride in Health + Wellbeing as we hold a panel for International Day of People With Disability on December 3rd.

Register here: https://www.prideinhealth.com.au/event/international-day-of-people-liveing-with-a-disablity-intersectional-panel/

ID || At the top is a sentence that reads Celebrating International Day of People With Disability.

Large title that reads “Dis/ability + LGBTQ” with a sub title that reads “Navigating intersectional identities in a world where stigma and discrimination still occur for q***r people and people with a disability." This is overlaid an image of three people smiling.

Black bottom bar that features the ACON and Q***rAbility logo side by side on the left and the prideinhealth wellbeing logo on the right side. In the middle are three lines: “FRI 3 DEC 12:00 PM - 1:30PM AEDT”, Inclusion is healthy for everybody, www.prideinhealth.com.au. || ID

NO MORE SPECULUMS. 🧡

From July 1 2022, self-collection for cervical screening will be available for everyone! 🎉🥳

Can We - ACON's cancer project for LGBTQ+ people - is breaking down what self-collection is and why this is so exciting for our communities over at our blog. Read more at:

Can We - A Public Cervix Announcement that you’re actually going to love (we promise) If you have a cervix, this is a time to celebrate. We know that’s an odd sentence. But this is amazing news. The Australian Government has just announced that self-collection for cervical screening will be available for everyone from 1 July 2022. If you’ve ever had a cervical screening test (wha...

ACON wants to hear from you!

Our Community Health and Attitudes Survey will assist ACON to get a better understanding of the health and wellbeing of our communities and how we are performing against the goals of our current Strategic Plan. Your participation will help us develop programs and services and advocate for people of diverse s*xualities and genders in NSW!

The survey should take around 5 minutes to complete.

Take part in this initiative here ➡ bit.ly/3BTOfkw

LAST CHANCE TO GRAB TICKETS!

Registrations for the 5th LGBTIQ Women's Health Conference close TODAY (Tuesday 2nd) at 5:00PM AEDT.

We've got a huge day planned for you all, so don't miss out!

The online conference can be live streamed AND watched back on demand (pyjama-wearing safe and acceptable).

Tickets start at $10 - but no one will be turned away for lack of funds:
https://lbq.org.au/registration/

See you on Thursday 4th November for an amazing day focusing on the health and wellbeing of the diverse women in our communities.

Brought to you by ACON, ACON Here for Women & Thorne Harbour Health.

You don’t want to miss the opening plenary of the LGBTIQ Women's Health Conference - Our Health Matters: Lived Experiences of Healthcare.

Full program right here: https://lbq.org.au/conference/program/

Registrations for the LGBTIQ Women’s Health Online Conference close Tuesday 2 November (TOMORROW!) at 5:00pm AEDT: https://lbq.org.au/conference/registration/

On Thursday morning at the conference, we’re handing over to four very different community members, to share their stories. 💙

Featuring (left to right):
Teresa Savage (she/her), living on stolen Wangal country, old(er) le***an activist.
Lena Nguyen (she/her), 24, q***r person, on Darug Land.
Jane Yettica, (she/her), Q***r Minyungbal, Dunghutti and South Sea Islander woman with kinship connections to Mununjali.
Amy Coopes, (she/her), q***rdo approaching 40, unceded Waywurru-Dhudhuroa and Wiradjuri Country.

No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Come and hear some storytelling from our communities - as well as a full program of research, innovative practices, and inclusive care.

ID: A collage of four black and white photos of the people listed above. Teresa is an older white woman, with very light skin pictured on a park bench, in a linen blazer and floral shirt. She wears glasses and has short, grey hair. Her head is thrown back; she is caught mid-laughter. Lena is a young person of Vietnamese heritage; her long, straight black hair hangs down over her shoulders, except for a bleached section in her sharp fringe. Her photo is a close-up and she has black ear plugs and is staring directly at the camera. Jane is a young Aboriginal woman, with long, wavy dark hair and medium brown skin; the lower half of her face is painted with ochre. She has a wide smile and is staring directly at the camera. Amy is a white woman with light skin and short dark hair. She is in close-up and wears dark framed glasses and a closed-lip smile. She is wearing a surgical cap that reads: Amy AKA Dr Awesomeness. She has brown eyes and a nose ring and a comical expression.

***rWomen

💙 PROGRAM NOW ONLINE! 💙

Still waiting for a reason to get a ticket to the 5th LGBTIQ Women's Health Conference?

Check out our amazing speakers, topics and panels for the day..and for our general health, wellbeing & serotonin on the day, we’ve added yoga, a mid-morning Grumble Boogie with the incomparable Betty Grumble, and a lunchtime performance from our glorious host Mama Alto.

At the end of the day we’re handing the mic (and screen) to the wonderful Two Q***rs Walk Into A Bar, featuring Brendan Handcock & "prominent Sydney le***an" Jenna Suffern. 😍

Tickets start at $10 (no one turned away for lack of funds) and registrations close Tuesday 2 November - so get in quick.

Thursday 4 November, live streaming & on demand.

Program Welcome to our 2021 LGBTIQ Women’s Health Online Conference program!

The LGBTIQ Women's Health Conference team are beyond excited (there may have been squealing) to announce that Mama Alto will be hosting the conference on Thurs 4 November! 😍

https://lbq.org.au/

Mama Alto is an artist and community worker who has worked extensively within LGBTQIA+ communities. A trans, q***r person of colour living with chronic illness, outside of her work in the arts she hopes to serve her communities. She is the current CEO of Transgender Victoria.

Make sure to grab a ticket before Tuesday 2 November when registrations close! No one will be turned away for lack for funds, so check the registration page for info.

We’re so looking forward to seeing you all there (virtually)! https://lbq.org.au/registration/

Photo of Mama Alto by Torrey Atkin.

ID: An image divided into four sections. The first is a black and white photo of Mama Alto, beautifully grainy, like a vintage photograph. Mama wears a dark, sequined gown and long beaded necklaces. Her face is turned in a half-profile, looking at the camera with a small smile. White flowers are in her dark hair. The second section is the conference logo: 4 November 2021. LGBTIQ Women’s Health Online Conference. LBQ.ORG.AU. The third is a black and white photo of an audience in a theatre, similarly blurred and grainy, with a blue square holding the text: Register now! The fourth section is white writing on a blue background, large letters spelling out LGBTIQ, overlaid with the words: Hosted by Mama Alto.

Less than two weeks away! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧

With topics covering everything from inclusion in sport, experiences of healthcare, mental health, rainbow families and trans inclusion....the LGBTIQ Women's Health Conference (hosted by ACON, ACON Here for Women & Thorne Harbour Health) is guaranteed to be an amazing day exploring the health and wellbeing of the women in our communities.

Thursday 4th November, both live online and available for streaming on demand!

Less than two weeks away! We’ll be hosting live panel discussions on inclusion, mental health, healthcare experiences, rainbow families, health across generations, and more.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19. In NSW, anyone aged 18 and over can get vaccinated, regardless of your visa status or even if you don’t have a Medicare card.

ACON strongly urges everyone in our communities to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to you. COVID-19 vaccines are now available to people aged 18 and over at no cost.

Go to ➡ nsw.gov.au/covid-19

The best way to protect yourself and the community from COVID-19 is by following public health orders and getting vaccinated.

ACON strongly urges everyone in our communities to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to you. COVID-19 vaccines are now available to people aged 18 and over at no cost.

Go to ➡ nsw.gov.au/covid-19

Getting vaccinated protects the people around you, because if you are protected from getting infected, you are less likely to infect someone else.

ACON strongly urges everyone in our communities to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to you. COVID-19 vaccines are now available to people aged 18 and over at no cost.

Go to ➡ nsw.gov.au/covid-19