Posted on

CEO STATEMENT ON QUEENSLAND LGBTI SISTERGIRL AND BROTHERBOY FESTIVALS

QC logo

Dear friends, partners, and colleagues,

It goes without saying that this has been a challenging year for our LGBTI Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities. But as much as our communities have been significantly impacted, and that is undeniable, we have also seen the amazing strengths of our communities, services and groups as they have come together to support each other, celebrate our amazing diversities, and keep connected. Despite the challenges, we have much to be proud of as a community.

As an organisation created and supported by LGBTI Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities, we have been and are committed during this period to serving the health and wellbeing of our communities and creating opportunities for peer connection and support wherever possible. From our numerous public community celebration and education events, yarning groups, and ongoing delivery of medical, mental health and social support services, during 2020 we have continued to be here for our communities.

At the same time, we have been taking the steps we know are responsible and essential to reduce the spread of COVID-19 amongst our own LGBTI Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities and the wider community.

Recently, we have been working closely with the many community advocates and groups involved in events that traditionally bring our communities together, such as Brisbane Pride, Many Genders One Voice, and the numerous supporters and people involved in running the Cairns Pride Festival in the north of our state. Following these discussions, we want to let our communities know that we will be holding a variety of events alongside each of these partners.

Based on the current situation, we are open to the possibility of holding some physical events (where that can be done safely), but will definitely be supporting and holding a series of online only events which will proceed regardless of the situation in Queensland at the time of the event.

We encourage you to follow our social media where we will be promoting our Cairns Pride Festival, Brisbane Pride, and Trans Awareness Week events.

While opportunities to connect are vital, the determination to cancel physical events or commit to online only events where this is the best decision to protect the health of our communities, is an ongoing possibility as we make decisions regarding levels of risk. We are closely monitoring and evaluating guidance from the Health Department at both State and Federal levels and will update you as our response evolves. Our Facebook pages are being kept up to date, along with those pages for our community partners and will provide the best place to check for any changes.

We invite anyone seeking support or connection to services to email us at info@quac.org.au which will be monitored from Monday to Friday.

Rebecca Reynolds

CEO
Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (Formerly Queensland AIDS Council)​

Posted on

CEO STATEMENT ON QUEENSLAND LGBTI SISTERGIRL AND BROTHERBOY FESTIVALS

Dear friends, partners, and colleagues,
It goes without saying that this has been a challenging year for our LGBTI Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities. But as much as our communities have been significantly impacted, and that is undeniable, we have also seen the amazing strengths of our communities, services and groups as they have come together to support each other, celebrate our amazing diversities, and keep connected. Despite the challenges, we have much to be proud of as a community.
As an organisation created and supported by LGBTI Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities, we have been and are committed during this period to serving the health and wellbeing of our communities and creating opportunities for peer connection and support wherever possible. From our numerous public community celebration and education events, yarning groups, and ongoing delivery of medical, mental health and social support services, during 2020 we have continued to be here for our communities.
At the same time, we have been taking the steps we know are responsible and essential to reduce the spread of COVID-19 amongst our own LGBTI Sistergirl and Brotherboy communities and the wider community.
Recently, we have been working closely with the many community advocates and groups involved in events that traditionally bring our communities together, such as Brisbane Pride, Many Genders One Voice, and the numerous supporters and people involved in running the Cairns Pride Festival in the north of our state. Following these discussions, we want to let our communities know that we will be holding a variety of events alongside each of these partners. 
Based on the current situation, we are open to the possibility of holding some physical events (where that can be done safely), but will definitely be supporting and holding a series of online only events which will proceed regardless of the situation in Queensland at the time of the event.
We encourage you to follow our social media where we will be promoting our Cairns Pride Festival, Brisbane Pride, and Trans Awareness Week events. 
While opportunities to connect are vital, the determination to cancel physical events or commit to online only events where this is the best decision to protect the health of our communities, is an ongoing possibility as we make decisions regarding levels of risk. We are closely monitoring and evaluating guidance from the Health Department at both State and Federal levels and will update you as our response evolves. Our Facebook pages are being kept up to date, along with those pages for our community partners and will provide the best place to check for any changes.
We invite anyone seeking support or connection to services to email us at info@quac.org.au which will be monitored from Monday to Friday.
Rebecca Reynolds
CEO
Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (Formerly Queensland AIDS Council)​
 

OTHER COVID-19 UPDATES:

CEO STATEMENT

Dear friends, partners, and colleagues,

As an organisation that was formed out of public health emergency, the Queensland Council for LGBTI Health remains ready to serve the health and wellbeing of our communities. Guided by public health best practice & ongoing advice, we have taken several steps to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) while continuing to provide our essential services. We are closely monitoring and evaluating guidance from the Health Department at both State and Federal levels and will update you as our response evolves – which we know it will.

Supporting the health and wellness of all our communities is paramount as the local and national response to COVID-19 continues to rapidly change. From our Brisbane and Cairns premises, we, along with our community partner organisations, provide many essential community services that are needed now more than ever including practical daily supports for the most vulnerable members of our communities, general medical and mental health supports, Recovery support, social support groups and sexual health supplies.

The determination to cancel or reduce programs that people rely on is an ongoing challenge. However, as we make decisions regarding levels of risk, we do this to lessen the risk of greater challenges and consequences in the future.

Our Facebook pages are being kept up to date, along with those pages for our community partners and those who use our premises in both Brisbane and Cairns, and provides the best place to check for program changes and closures.

During this time, we will do our best to keep you informed as the COVID-19 responses evolve but I also encourage you to seek out your own information and advice.

We have also released an important statement on transmission of COVID-19 in relation to sexual activity. You can see this statement below.

We invite anyone seeking support or connection to services to email us at info@quac.org.au which will be monitored from Monday to Friday.

 PROGRAMS & SERVICES UPDATES

 At this time:

  • Clinic 30 at Helen Street is open to provide essential services as we are are committed to seeing our communities through this period. Until further notice we have cancelled our Testing Point Tuesday night walk in STI/HIV testing clinic. If you need an appointment please ring 07 3017 1777, and please do not come into the Clinic to book an appointment as we are not taking any walk ins at this time. See our Facebook page for information on important new processes.
  • Our Mental Health and Case Management services will continue to be provided however our appointments are being conducted via online technologies.
  • We have stopped our ‘in person’ Volunteer activities for the foreseeable future – however, our work would not be possible without our amazing and dedicated volunteers and we are currently planning a range of new online activities with our volunteers. We will be communicating updates on those soon.
  • We have made the difficult but important decision that our premises at both Helen Street and Draper Street are no longer available for community groups and bookings. However we are always available to discuss how we can support our vital community groups to remain connected online and through virtual meetings. Email info@quac.org.au to discuss how we can support you.
  • Anyone who is sick with flu like symptoms, or who has had close contact with someone known to have COVID-19, is asked not to come to our premises at Helen Street or Draper Street.  If you have an existing appointment with us and need to cancel, please cancel online or by calling 07 3017 1777. Anyone with symptoms including fever, cough or shortness of breath is being asked to contact their primary GP or the COVID-19 hotline.

Rebecca Reynolds
CEO
Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (Formerly Queensland AIDS Council)​

 

CLICK ON USEFUL LINKS BELOW: 

The Queensland Council for LGBTI Health statement on 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and sexual activity.

 
View our Sex and COVID-19 posters here