QHub Geelong, a new support centre for young people in the LGBTIQA+ community, has recently opened in Geelong. This centre aims to offer a secure and welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, and asexual youths and their families to find support and foster connections.
Christine Couzens, the Member for Geelong, inaugurated the facility on behalf of Harriet Shing, the Minister for Equality. QHub Geelong is intended to be a friendly place for LGBTIQA+ youths from Geelong, the Surf Coast, and surrounding areas.
The initiative for QHub was developed together with young locals to promote inclusivity and enhance the mental well-being of LGBTIQA+ individuals up to 25 years old throughout the region.
Situated in the central district of Geelong, this facility is the second of its kind, following the opening of QHub Ballarat. The hubs, including online support, are designed to be central points for accessing mental health support tailored to young people, as well as opportunities for social engagement and activities to improve well-being.
The development of these hubs was supported by a $3.2 million investment from the government, highlighting a commitment to ensuring young LGBTIQA+ individuals in western Victoria have the necessary support.
QHub is a youth mental health and social connection initiative for the LGBTIQA+ community, created through a collaboration between the government and several service providers, including Drummond Street Services Queerspace, Wellways, and Cafs Ballarat.
The initiative aligns with Victoria’s first LGBTIQA+ strategy, “Pride in our Future,” which underscores the importance of enhancing mental health support and creating safe environments for young people in the LGBTIQA+ community living in regional areas.
The name QHub was selected by a group of 350 young LGBTIQA+ individuals and was announced on Wear It Purple Day 2023.
Minister for Equality Harriet Shing stated, “QHub Geelong will provide young LGBTIQA+ individuals from the region with the safe space they need and deserve.”
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt commented on the effort, saying, “Greater access to targeted mental health and well-being support for young people closer to home is a significant accomplishment of Victoria’s Pride in our future strategy.”
Christine Couzens expressed her satisfaction with the opening of this new facility, emphasizing its importance for the youth of Geelong and the Surf Coast as a pioneering effort to trial safe spaces for LGBTIQA+ young people in western Victoria.
