The Victorian Greens have unveiled their bold plan to establish a community facility in Northcote that would provide crisis accommodation for trans and gender diverse people.
The facility would also serve as a community centre where trans and gender diverse people could access healthcare, resources and peer support.
The plan forms part of a range of LGBTIQA+ policies the Greens are taking to the state election in November. It would be paid for through the Greens' previously announced $200 million dollar Rainbow State Fund.
Victorian Greens candidate for Northcote, Campbell Gome, said trans, gender diverse and non-binary communities experienced high levels of discrimination and were at disproportionate risk of violence and homelessness.
He said by establishing a community facility in Northcote with emergency and crisis accommodation beds, trans and gender diverse Victorians in need of a safe place to stay would have guaranteed access to accommodation.
Northcote is home to a large and growing community of trans, gender diverse and non-binary people from around Australia and is regarded by many in the community as one of the comparatively safe parts of the country.
The community facility would be operated by and for trans and gender diverse people, and empower them to strengthen, support and advocate for their own communities.
Last month the Greens announced their Rainbow State Action Plan, which would enshrine greater protections for LGBTIQA+ people in law and provide better funding for community-led services.
As stated by Victorian Greens candidate for Northcote, Campbell Gome:
"Trans and gender diverse communities are at greater risk of violence and homelessness.
"They also regularly face severe barriers accessing crisis care and accommodation in this state.
"Establishing a community facility in Northcote run by and for trans and gender diverse people would ensure those in need of a safe place to stay they could access at any time.
"Trans rights are non-negotiable."
As stated by Victorian Greens LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, Sam Hibbins MP:
"We should all feel safe and have equal opportunities in life, no matter our sexuality, gender identity or sex characteristics.
"Yet here in Victoria lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual people continue to face discrimination across multiple areas of their lives.
"This November we'll be making sure LGBTIQA+ rights are placed squarely on the agenda for the next term of Parliament."
