Your Community Health will open a new hub for LGBTIQ services in Northcote

Your Community Health will establish a new health clinic for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people in Northcote.

The clinic will be a collaborative hub for a diverse range of services, tailored to the LGBTIQ community's needs. It will address increasing demand for accepting and confidential services for LGBTIQ people across northern Melbourne.

Many members of the LGBTIQ community still face discrimination or lack of understanding when they seek health and wellbeing services.

“The clinic will be a safe and inclusive space for the LGBTIQ community because it will directly respond to their needs”, said Penny Anderson, Chief Executive Officer.

6 per cent of the Darebin community identifying as LGBTIQ. Northcote is identified as having the highest number of LGBTIQ community members of all suburbs in the northern Melbourne municipality.

Your Community Health will engage with other service providers in the area to identify ways to reach a larger, more diverse population; better coordinate care across services and practices, and to identify the priority needs that could be addressed by a central hub for LGBTIQ services in the area.

There is a significant need for an increase in community care and support services for the LGBTIQ community, as well as capital investment into community health, in order to ensure access for people who face barriers in accessing traditional health services.