LGTBIQ+ Victorians will be able to access safe, tailored and non-discriminatory services through the State’s landmark new legal service opening at the Victorian Pride Centre.
Coinciding with International Transgender Day of Visibility, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes today awarded a contract to Fitzroy Legal Service to establish and run a specialist legal service Q+ Law with $1.6 million from the Victorian Budget 2022/23.
Q+Law is a partnership between Fitzroy Legal Service (FLS) and Queerspace underpinned by FLS’ significant experience and expertise as an accredited community legal centre and in supporting LGBTIQ+ Victorians.
The service will provide LGBTIQ+ Victorians with in-person and remote legal advice and services from trained legal professionals who understand their needs.
LGBTIQ+ Victorians will have access to services to address the issues commonly faced by their communities, such as discrimination, unfair dismissal and change of name or gender, family violence and family law.
The service is expected to launch in June and will also provide community legal education, training and resources to help Victorians understand their rights and enable individuals to advocate for themselves.
Legal professionals will also have the opportunity to upskill and learn more about the complex legal needs faced by the LGBTIQ+ community to better address their unique legal needs related to discrimination.
This new service is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s broader efforts to drive inclusion and equality for LGBTIQ+ Victorians through its 10-year plan, Pride in our Future: Victoria’s LGBTIQ+ Stratergy 2022-32.
As stated by Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes
“We recognise that LGBTIQ+ Victorians continue to face discrimination simply for being who they are. The establishment of the Q+ Law service is about providing the right legal and support services that the community deserves.
“This is more than just a specialist legal service – it is a place to connect with services and feel heard, a place where fairness and equality will always be championed.”
