Engagement with the LGBTIQ Community

The LGBTIQ community is one of eight groups identified by the NSW Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines as essential for targeted community engagement. Whilst there are no exact figures for the number of LGBTIQ people in the Blue Mountains, the Australian Human Rights Commission states that up to 11% of the population in Australia are of diverse sexual orientation, sex, or gender identity. In the Blue Mountains, this would equate to more than 8,000 people.

The Council held a pop-up stall at the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) event in Katoomba on 21 May 2016. The aim of this stall was to inform the LGBTIQ community about Sustainable Blue Mountains Together and encourage anonymous participation in an online survey.

Discussions at the IDAHOT event focused on the following key priorities:

• Supporting and advocating for an inclusive community that appreciates diversity;
• Strategies to address youth suicide and mental health issues among LGBTIQ people; and
• Marriage equality.

The LGBTIQ Community Engagement Report contains further information.