Canberra is Australia's Capital of Equality
The Capital of Equality Strategy 2024 - 2029 sets out how the ACT Government will continue to make Canberra the most LGBTIQA+ welcoming and inclusive city in Australia. This means we want LGBTIQA+ people, their families and communities to feel a sense of belonging to Canberra, to be visible, valued, celebrated and respected in the ACT. Our whole community benefits when all Canberrans can contribute and participate to their full potential.
The Strategy sets out 4 objectives which will guide the ACT Government’s work for the next five years:
- Promote awareness and understanding to eliminate barriers to equality.
- Enhance systems and service availability and their competencies.
- Advance legal and policy reforms to ensure equal rights.
- Empower safe, resilient, and sustainable LGBTIQA+ communities.
Learn more about the Capital of Equality Strategy on the Capital of Equality, ACT Government LGBTIQA+ Strategy page.
The ACT Government introduced the Variation in Sex Characteristics (Restricted Medical Treatment) Bill 2023 on 22 March 2023. This Bill aims to protect the rights and choices of intersex people. The legislation seeks to do this to reform medical treatment for people with variation in sex characteristics.
Find out more about the Bill and how it aims to protect intersex rights.
Capital of Equality Grants support a range of projects in Canberra to achieve better outcomes for LGBTIQA+ people. The grants are currently closed. Sign up to our newsletter to know when they open.
The Sexuality and Gender Identity Conversion Practices Act 2020 came into effect on 4 March 2021. To make a complaint or to find out more, visit the ACT Human Rights Commission website.
The ACT Government is committed to ensuring all Canberrans are treated equally and our laws should reflect these standards.
The Act makes it a criminal offence for conversion practices directed at protected persons, and anybody affected can make a complaint to the Humans Right Commission.
The Act defines protected persons to mean 'a child or a person who has impaired decision-making ability in relation to a matter relating to the person's health or welfare'.
The government first announced plans to legislate to prohibit conversation practices in May 2018. This prohibition was also included in the Capital of Equality First Action Plan 2019-2021.
To inform the development of the Bill, a direct consultation was held with stakeholders most likely to be affected by this change. This included the education, disability, religious, health, LGBTIQ+ and legal sectors.
A summary of the feedback received from stakeholders during consultation can be found in the What We Heard Report PDF 784KB.
The Bill was introduced in the ACT Legislative Assembly on 13 August 2020, and came into effect on 4 March 2021.
A statutory review of this legislation was conducted in 2024. The report was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on 21 March 2024. Access the report here PDF 586KB.
Conversations about conversion practices may bring up strong feelings and questions. Be assured you are not alone, and that there are many services and support groups available to assist. Some options for advice and support include Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Westlund Counselling on 02 6257 2855.
The Canberra Inclusive Partnership is a new program providing targeted, peer-led services to support and strengthen LGBTIQ+ Canberrans.
Services include:
- 1000 hours of peer-led psychosocial support services to LGBTIQ+ people and their families; and
- 100 hours of training and tailored support to build the capacity of mainstream service providers to deliver inclusive and appropriate services to LGBTIQ+ people, their families, and communities.
This investment will help peer-led LGBTIQ+ agencies like Meridian (formally Aids Action Council) and A Gender Agenda meet evolving community needs over the coming years, tackle new and emerging issues and be more active and visible in the Canberra community.
About the Office of LGBTIQA+ Affairs
The Office of LGBTIQA+ Affairs coordinates and supports strategic government projects and policy to promote Canberra as the most LGBTIQA+ welcoming and inclusive city in Australia. It is located within the Policy and Cabinet Division of the Chief Minister Treasury and Economic Development Directorate.
The Office:
- coordinates a whole of government approach for promoting Canberra as the most LGBTIQA+ welcoming and inclusive city in the country;
- delivers the majority of CMTEDD-led actions under the Capital of Equality Strategy including evaluation and reporting;
- engages relevant areas of government with subject matter expertise to implement legislative reform, promote inclusive events, and appropriately targeted services for LGBTIQA+ people;
- supports and engages with the LGBTIQ+ Ministerial Advisory Council on matters where the government is seeking advice and guidance; and
- administers the services funding and the Capital of Equality Grants program.
Please note: The term "LGBTIQA+" is used as a respectful way to represent a wide range of identities, including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual, aromantic, agender, non-binary, and pansexual individuals. However, it's crucial to recognise that there is no single experience or narrative that captures what it means to be part of the LGBTIQA+ community. The terms we use provide a common language, but they cannot encompass the full breadth and complexity of individual identities and experiences.
We have now moved to use 'LGBTIQA+' as a standard acronym across the ACT Government materials. Where it appears differently on this website, it refers to the historic use.
For further enquiries please contact the Office by email LGBTIQAOffice@act.gov.au.