How do I find services for LGBTIQ people?

Urgent Support

In an emergency, call 000.

For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

For 24/7 telephone interpreting service, call TIS on 131 450. In an emergency, call 000 and ask for an interpreter (do not call TIS directly in an emergency).

Under Victorian law, people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or gender diverse, intersex, queer or questioning (LGBTIQ) have the right to equality, fairness and decency in health care, and that includes end of life care and palliative care.

End of life and palliative care services can help you and your friends, family and carers approach the end of your life. Appropriate end of life care helps affirm your individual identity, your life story, and includes respect for both you and your partner.

The rainbow tick was developed by Rainbow Health Victoria (formerly GLHV). Services can only show the rainbow tick if they have been accredited by Rainbow Health as providing inclusive practices to make you feel safe and welcome.

Service providers displaying the rainbow tick seek to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ people, and will proactively seek to understand your needs and provide care in a fair and respectful manner.

Precious Time's directory of services includes services tagged as LGBTIQ friendly.

Regardless of whether an organisation has the Rainbow tick or not, it is against the law for a service provider to discriminate against you because of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status. If you feel you have been discriminated against by a service provider or an individual clinician, seeking support or providing feedback can be done through a clinician you trust, a patient liaison officer, to the organisation’s complaints department, or contact the Victorian Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Commission.

Urgent Support

In an emergency, call 000.

For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

For 24/7 telephone interpreting service, call TIS on 131 450. In an emergency, call 000 and ask for an interpreter (do not call TIS directly in an emergency).

Conversation starters:

What cultural, religious or family traditions are important to you?

More information

QLife

phone and online chat, and a Community Referral Database

Rainbow Health

Rainbow tick

Better Health

Palliative care for the LGBTI community

Health.vic

Advance care planning and palliative care for the LGBTI community

Victoria Legal Aid

Sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination

COTA Vic

Safeguarding the End of the Rainbow

Disclaimer:

This information is general guidance and may not be applicable to your specific circumstances. For personal advice, please contact a medical or legal practitioner or a spiritual, cultural or community leader.

This content was written for people in Victoria, Australia. Laws and practices differ in other states, territories and countries.

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Information and advice for people at the end of life, and those who care for them.

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We welcome all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.

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