KAM lived in Iran, he could be paraded in front of the public and hanged, his body left on show as a reminder that homosexuality is if punishable by death. Homophobia is a crime against humanity. VICTORIAN AIDS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2016-17 DANTE lived in Papua New Guinea, he could face discrimination and be sacked from his job for being gay. Being sexually if intimate with his partner could mean up to fourteen years imprisonment for them both. Homophobia is a crime against humanity. l DENOTES REGIONS IN THE WORLD WHERE SEXUAL ORIENTATION IS CRIMINALISED l THE PRICE OF FEAR 3 l PRESIDENT’S REPORT 5 l CEO’S REPORT 7 lCONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY 9 l 20 STORIES FROM VAC 11 l THE FUTURE OF PREVENTION 19 ENGAGING COMMUNITIES 21 l AWARDS 23 l WORKING TOGETHER AROUND THE WORLD 25 l FINANCIAL REPORT 26 VAC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 l ANA lived in Finland, before she could transition and legally be recognised as a woman she would need to be sterilised if and officially diagnosed with a mental disorder. Transphobia is a crime against humanity. THE PRICE OF FEAR Homophobia, trans phobia, and stigma up barriers to the formation of non- and discrimination directed at people government organisations (NGOs) that living with HIV remain critical factors would support LGBTI people. This influencing poor health outcomes for includes China and Russia, where LGBTI people around the world. With surveillance of HIV and AIDS cases regard to homophobia, apart from remains extremely poor, making generalised societal homophobia, the provision of treatment, care and which is largely uncontrolled, there are support services extremely difficult.1 currently 72 states around the world Of course all these issues become that criminalise same-sex activity and more problematic when we consider 45 of those states apply those laws to intersectional matters such as disability, women as well as men. In this year’s detention or imprisonment, race, HIV Annual Report, VAC is drawing attention status, migrant or refugee status, to these issues. religion, and gender. SYSTEMIC FEAR YOUNG PEOPLE We include Australia and the United In our own country, the third national States in this examination, as even in study on the sexual health and countries with fairly advanced laws wellbeing of same sex attracted and relating to equality, it is still possible gender questioning young people, for LGBTI people and their families Writing Themselves In 3 from the subjected to stigmatising behaviours Australian Research Centre for Sex, and discrimination. In addition, we Health and Society reported that the believe that externalised homophobia negative impacts of homophobia insidiously feeds the debilitating and and transphobia are very real for damaging effects of internalised young LGBTI people. 61 percent of homophobia and its subsequent the young people surveyed reported impacts of depression, isolation, stigma verbal homophobic abuse, 18 and suicidal ideation. percent reported physical abuse and STATE SPONSORED HOMOPHOBIA 26 percent reported ‘other forms of In May of this year, the International homophobia’. In terms of the wellbeing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and consequences behind these statistics, Intersex Association published the consider this quote from the report: 12th edition of their report on State- ‘There were strong links between Sponsored Homophobia. This report homophobic abuse and feeling unsafe, makes for very sobering reading. It is excessive drug use, self harm and difficult to believe that in 2017 laws suicide attempts. Young people who exist that proscribe the rights of LGBTI had been physically abused had worse peoples based on sexual orientation mental health indicators than those who and gender identity. Punishments and reported verbal abuse or no abuse.’ 2 prohibitions exist throughout the world MARRIAGE EQUALITY that include: At the time of writing, the Marriage l The death penalty exists in four Equality postal survey results are not states (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and known. Even when they become Sudan), two regions (southern parts of known we cannot know how the vote Somalia and in 12 states in Nigeria), and in Parliament will go with regard to is codified in law in a further five states changing the Marriage Act. What is (Afganistan, Pakistan, Qatar, the United known however is that by opening the Arab Emirates and Mauritania). debate in this way, the government l 19 states where the ‘promotion’ has enabled a small but virulent RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES ARREST LGBTI ACTIVISTS PROTESTING AGAINST of sexual orientation (other than minority to voice concerns of same- CHECHNYA’S PERSECUTION OF GAY MEN heterosexuality) is illegal including: sex relationships that can only be Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, described as homophobic bigotry. homophobic attitudes run in parts of we will have to remain vigilant with Somalia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Indonesia, Invoking the need to protect children, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, our society. regard to all matters that negatively suggesting that same-sex relationships impact on LGBTI people. Phobic Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lithuania, are so fundamentally flawed that to In considering this issue, VAC is and Russia. once again drawing on its history of attitudes to same-sex activity and place children in these situations would gender identity as well as positive l A survey of countries that currently be to put them at risk or at the very community activism. Repeatedly over the past three decades, VAC has taken HIV status are significant issues carry laws around sexual orientation least disadvantage them through the central to the work of VAC that will and criminalise same-sex activity cite denial of a ‘traditional’ family structure, a leadership role in advocating on behalf of our community, and that work need to be addressed if we are to offences ‘against nature’ along with can only be recognised as deeply improve the health and wellbeing of has not been limited to issues relating other provisions that criminalise the homophobic. our communities in the future. For to HIV/AIDS. ‘promotion’ of same-sex activity. The These attitudes are not made any information on the work of community punishments for these crimes in their less homophobic by their proponents A HEALTHIER FUTURE based organisations in some of these worst incarnation is death but can protesting that their opinions need to be As we move through the fourth (and countries, see page 25. carry sentences from 15 years to life respected as a reasonable opposition hopefully last) decade of this epidemic imprisonment for ‘offenders’ in addition to marriage equality. In actuality, it is the to corporal punishments such as fact that this is seen as a reasonable 1 International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association: Carroll, A. and Mendos, L.R., State Sponsored Homophobia 2017: A lashing or stoning. opposition to marriage equality that world survey of sexual orientation laws: criminalisation, protection and recognition (Geneva; ILGA, May 2017). l There are 25 countries that put 2 Hillier, L. Et al: Writing Themselves In 3 (WTi3) The third national study on the sexual health and wellbeing of same sex attracted and gender demonstrates how deeply insidious questioning young people. Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, 2010 VAC ANNUAL REPORT 2017 l 3 RAY lived in one of 28 states in the USA, he could be denied housing or legally evicted. In 17 states he could be denied if employment or sacked from his job, all because he’s gay. Homophobia is a crime against humanity. PRESIDENT’S REPORT As we look back on the progress of Award for Supporting LGBTI Health – the recent financial year, our2012-2017 recognising us for the LGBTI community- Strategic Plan is coming to its end — led organisation we are today. prompting a time for forward thinking and MOVING ON an evaluation of where we’re going. Following the sale of our site on CHANGE Claremont Street, finding a new home The past year has been a reminder that for our growing organisation has ‘change is the only constant’. Since presented as a Herculean task. Careful our humble beginnings as the Victorian consideration for the organisation’s future AIDS Action Committee in 1983, we and the investment of our funds remains quickly became a community leader in a top priority. As a result, this past year responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. has seen the formation of our Investments As the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Committee to give these important Men’s Health Centre, we continued decisions the additional consideration this important work and developed they’re due. We have continued to work an expertise in gay men’s sexual with Government and the board of the health and wellbeing. Our models Victorian Pride Centre as they plan the establishment of Australia’s first LGBTI for peer support, health promotion, centre in the country. In the meantime, and community-informed service senior management and the relocation delivery became valuable assets as we team have worked tirelessly to secure expanded our work within the broader a temporary home for those staff and LGBTI community. Following our 2014 services previously housed at the Peter rebranding, the breadth of our work as Knight Centre, at 615 St Kilda Road. simply ‘VAC’ has grown exponentially to be more inclusive and address a wider AN EVOLVING BOARD range of health and wellbeing issues During these changes, our Board has faced by our gender and sexually diverse evolved. Following the 2016 AGM, communities than ever before. we welcomed Tony Maynard to the Board and farewelled Michael Tippett. LGBTI COMMUNITY HEALTH We thank Michael for his time on the We formally recognised our role as a Board and leadership he showed on our LGBTI community health organisation Governance Committee. I’d also like to during our Special General Meeting on thank our entire Board for volunteering Wednesday 5 October 2016 where their time and expertise.