2020 has been a tough year for so many of us, but it has also been a year of progress for LGBTI+ communities.
The QPS LGBTI+ Support Network was formed to promote Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex + (LGBTI+) pride within the Queensland Police Service (QPS) by providing a dedicated support framework to QPS members state-wide, and throughout this year they have had some notable achievements and reasons to celebrate.
QPS LGBTI+ Liaison Officers engage with the community and provide initiatives to support the community.
Below is a glimpse of some of their work throughout 2020…
Australia's first LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day
Throughout Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month in May, Queensland Police Officer and founder of LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day, Senior Constable Ben Bjarnesen joined with other members of the QPS to draw attention to the issue of domestic violence in LGBTI+ relationships.
The hashtag #ImHereForYou showed support to victims and signified the first LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day on May 28.
QPS supports Australia's first LGBTI Domestic Violence Awareness Day
Wear it Purple Day
On August 28, LGBTI Liaison Officers Constable Jesse Farrance and Acting Sergeant Luke Turner visited Indooroopilly High School to discuss breaking down barriers between police and young people and celebrate diversity amongst LGBTIQ+ communities.
LGBTI Liaison Officers and high school students celebrate Wear it Purple Day
Proud to Stand With You
The Proud to Stand With You campaign was launched in Fortitude Valley in September, and has been designed to show members of the LGBTIQ+ community that police are there to support and help them on a night out.
Constable Jesse Farrance teamed up with the fabulous Vollie LaVont to let us all know that everyone deserves to feel safe on a night out.
Trans Fair Day Picnic and Brisbane Pride Fair Day
Queensland Police had a visible presence at two LGBTI+ events in New Farm Park in November: the Trans Fair Picnic and Pride Day.
Constable Marti Winkworth represented the QPS at both events, and said she held mixed emotions.
"This year has been a challenging year for everyone and the Trans Fair Picnic and Pride were both delayed due COVID-19 restrictions," she said.
"For myself as a transgender police officer, I was very pleased to see a breath of fresh air in relation to the reactions and conversations that I held with many who attended this year's events.
"The Trans Fair Day Picnic was the first event where I was able to proudly wear the new QPS rainbow lanyard complete with trans colours.
"The reaction to every person that I showed it off to was one of relief and joy – I was able to see and hear the tension ease as they began to finally see the QPS was really supporting their community.
"It looks like all the hard work that the QPS has done in the past years may well be paying off.
"The outcome of the event is that there was a real feeling of the community coming together."
Two officers recognised for their work supporting LGBTI+ communities
Earlier this month, QPS officers were recognised as two of the Deloitte Outstanding 50 LGBTI+ Leaders for 2020 for their contributions to the LGBTI+ community: Inspector Gai Bolderrow and Senior Constable Ben Bjarnesen.
Inspector Bolderrow was recognised, in part, for her work in changing policies within the QPS and for her support of the transgender community.
Senior Constable Bjarnesen has been singled out partly due to his passionate advocacy for awareness of domestic and family violence in LGBTI+ communities.
Officers recognised for outstanding contributions to LGBTIQ+ communities
Beyond these highlights, we have also hosted a barbecue, shown our support for Global Pride, celebrated one year of the Brisbane LGBTI Community Consultative Group, and marked International Day Against Homophobia, Biphopia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), notably in Far North and Ipswich.
You can find out more about how the QPS supports LGBTI+ communities here.
There are been tremendous steps taken for LGBTI+ communities in 2020, and we are looking forward to continuing this momentum next year!
