LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (formerly the National LGBTI Health Alliance) is a peak health organisation for LGBT and intersex organisations in Australia. A not-for-profit company, it was established in August 2007.[1]
Formation | 2007 |
---|---|
Type | NGO |
Purpose | Peak health body |
Region served | Australia |
Chief Executive Officer | Nicky Bath |
Website | www |
Key focus areas include ageing,[2] mental health, suicide prevention, intersex health, transgender health, and data collection.[3][4][5]
The organisation led consultations on an inclusive aged care strategy for the Department of Health that helped lead to the development of a national strategy.[2][6]
In 2013, the Alliance called for the implementation of the recommendations of a Senate Committee report on the 'Involuntary or coerced sterilisation of intersex people'. The Alliance had earlier made submissions and participated in a hearing on the issue.[7][8]
A major report on mental health and suicide prevention, prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers, was published in August 2011. The report found that "there are higher levels of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems in the LGBTI populations, with evidence suggesting attempted suicide is 3.5 to 14 times" higher.[9]
In September 2013, the Alliance joined a national campaign calling for a "National LGBTI Suicide Prevention Strategy", with the aim of halving suicide rates by 2023.[10]
The Alliance launched a report on trans and intersex health issues at the federal Parliament House in November 2012.[11] With Organisation Intersex International Australia, the Alliance was also consulted by the Department of Health and Ageing leading to improvements in access to Medicare services, reported in July 2013.[12][13]
The Alliance organises a biannual conference, Health in Difference. The 2013 conference was held in Melbourne in April. Plenary sessions were recorded by JOY 94.9.[14][15][16]
In late 2013, Warren Talbot announced his resignation as executive director, for health reasons, and Andrew Little was appointed as acting executive director. Rebecca Reynolds, formerly the manager of Twenty10 took up the position in February 2014.[17]
Member organisations[18] include:
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia is a member of the Young and Well Co-operative Research Centre[19] and the National Coalition for Suicide Prevention.[20]