A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 I’Ve Had the Chance to Create a Platform That My Friend’S Mother Is Unwell

I often felt guilty about being busy with When gyms shut down - so did my business. work while others have lost their income. It’s a massive challenge to build and maintain a LINDY service while holding a community together. SAM < 1.5 METRES < A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 I’ve had the chance to create a platform that My friend’s mother is unwell. She can’t visit her. bridges the gaps between the fitness and trans/ Seeing her face that challenge has been tough. gender diverse communities. CATALINA < SAM < I have been thrilled to host The Bent Spoon at Everyone has struggled to stay connected. this time - it’s a fantastic celebration of diversity. Through Rainbow Connection, I have volunteered CATALINA to call clients and have a good chat. < LEIGHTON <

PRESIDENT’S AND CEO’S REPORT

2020 A FRESH PANDEMIC

SEX AND COVID-19

CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY

MILESTONES

10 STORIES FROM THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH

AWARDS

FINANCIAL REPORT Living with HIV and Type 1 diabetes, I’m happy to reach 66 and have my health. LEIGHTON < PRESIDENT & CEO’S REPORT

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH’S FLAGSHIP SEXUAL HEALTH AND TESTING CAMPAIGN, THE DRAMA DOWNUNDER WAS IMPLEMENTED THIS YEAR WITH MORE DIVERSITY THAN EVER

Today we face a global pandemic queer panel on stage together, including All the while, we were seeing clients every brought on by a potentially deadly interstate and international visitors day for face-to-face counselling, GP visits, pathogen. At the start of this pandemic, alike. Our health promotion campaigns rapid tests, and peer support. medical experts struggled to understand like What Works, Public Cervix NOW how to treat it and how to prevent Announcement, and Drama Downunder Today things look a little different. it. Governments around the world could be seen on tram stops and Telehealth appointments have become undertook a range of measures to control postcards as people commuted to work. the norm, and our staff have done a the outbreak, with varying degrees of Our advocacy was in full swing with two remarkable job at making that transition success. When you consider our origin submissions to the Royal Commission on to ensure our communities did not go story, many aspects of the COVID-19 Victoria’s Mental Health System, a call for without the essential support they needed experience are all-too-familiar. While a Parliamentary enquiry into hate crimes, during uncertain times. Our volunteers much of the world compared the 2019 and continued efforts for drug law reform adapted to find new ways to support our novel coronavirus to the Spanish flu and an end to conversion practices. efforts whether by making facemasks, a century earlier, for our communities In December, the annual World AIDS Day delivering food parcels, or offering this stirred living memories of the early street appeal saw staff and volunteers telephone peer support through our response to HIV and AIDS. It was a call- take to the streets in both Victoria and expanded Rainbow Connection service. to-action that we were uniquely prepared South Australia to remind everyone that Through Rainbow Connection we now for. HIV Still Matters. That same month, offer support to any LGBTI Victorian BEFORE COVID-19 QuitFlicks, our tobacco cessation project impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. in partnership with Quit Victoria and As Victoria is still only just emerging from Online engagement was already a Melbourne Queer Film Festival, won the strict lockdown restrictions, it seems like daily activity with projects like our digital 2019 VicHealth Award for ‘Preventing a lifetime since we were dancing in close sexual health initiative at Emen8.com. Tobacco Use’ as plans were underway proximity without facemasks in venues au and our online community at Dale. for the 2020 film festival. and a trip interstate for a pride festival was org.au for same-sex attracted men in not out of the question. As we developed our Women’s Health a heterosexual relationship. However, This time last year, our annual Northside Strategy, Dykes on Bikes announced when physical distancing meant face- Bizarre fundraiser for our David Williams Thorne Harbour Health as the beneficiary to-face encounters posed a health risk, Fund and JOY 94.9 was one of the of their annual Pride for Pillions fundraiser we quickly reimagined almost all our biggest and most successful to date. offering one lucky winner a chance engagements for a virtual setting. From The street festival at The Laird raised to ride with them in Pride March. our Scope workshops for women to over $36,000 thanks to the 2,500+ Throughout the summer festival season, our Defrosted group for men who have people that joined us on the day. After our rainbow Thorne Harbour fans were a used meth, our expanded offering of five successful runs at Midsumma, we hit at Midsumma Carnival, ChillOut, and peer workshops and support groups took our annual Hypothetical to Adelaide the Melbourne 2020 International Gay went from meeting room to Zoom. Plus, as part of Feast Festival with an all- and Lesbian Aquatics Championships. new groups were developed such as

THH ANNUAL REPORT 2020 l 4 I’ve missed being able to exercise. I want to get back in the water to swim and play water polo. MADDIE <

Conquering COVID for those who felt impacted by the evolving landscape around the pandemic. Annual events like L.O.V.E. found innovative ways to keep us connected and a plethora of new events were rolled out including a collection of workshops for LGBTIQ women and the Transcripts series focused on trans, gender diverse, and non-binary health. Perhaps one of the most ambitious online event undertakings was Pride- solation. Coordinated by Thorne Harbour Country, the one-day online event streamed over seven hours of content in partnership with 15 LGBTIQ pride festival and community organisations from across Victoria. Other online events like DownAn’Dirty Live started to become weekly occurrences. In fact, the Sexually Adventurous Men’s project continues to deliver a new instalment of health promotion content online every single week since May 2020. In fact the series has embraced the online format by regularly engaging interstate and international guests and experts. With so many people online at this time, we’ve focused on creating more video content in the past several months than ever before. In the early days of the pandemic, we kept the community up-to-date through the Thorne Harbour Health CEO Updates. This included our historic call-to-action: asking our LGBTI communities to stop having casual sex during the height of the pandemic in Australia. As our communities grappled with this advice, we posed tricky community questions to Dr George THE FABULOUS MISS CATALINA HOSTED THE BENT SPOON, WHERE FOOD, PERSONAL Forgan Smith and had his answers STORIES AND CULTURE CAME TOGETHER posted online. As facemasks became mandatory, we equipped the community plan to offer many of our services out of its strong governance of the associations’ with new DIY skills through the Crafty Cal the Victorian Pride Centre. Meanwhile, strategy and assets. We will continue series. We encouraged our communities we look forward to marking our five-year to capitalise on our strengths – our to get off the couch and into the anniversary in Bendigo with a new home members, our staff, our volunteers and kitchen to connect with our multicultural around the corner at 58 Mundy Street. the community who support us – to communities through The Bent Spoon. We look forward to welcoming you all to reduce stigma and discrimination and THE FUTURE these new sites when it is safe to do so. build a healthy future for our communities. As restrictions ease and we adapt to In the coming year, we will establish our It has been a year like no other for us, COVID normal, we need to retain some volunteer hub and release a Women’s but much like our organisation’s early of the adaptions that have benefited Health Strategy, both of these made days, we worked together and faced the community. Through online content possible through a generous bequest these challenges head on. We did it back and events, we’ve been able to reach from the estate of Kevin Quinlan. We will then, we’ve done it again, and provided new audiences regardless of barriers continue to work with our partners to we don’t lose sight of the importance due to geography, accessibility, and end the impact of HIV on our community, of collective action – we will do it in the bring together our communities in South including tackling HIV stigma. Our future. Australia and Victoria. President has hit his term limit and will CHAD HUGHES, PRESIDENT We’ll also be adjusting to new settings. be stepping aside at the 2020 Annual SIMON RUTH, CEO Our headquarters at 200 Hoddle Street General Meeting, so the next year will see are near completion. In early 2021, we new leadership as the Board continues

THH ANNUAL REPORT 2020 l 5 It has been nice to get outside and dis- cover new walking trails along the Yarra. MADDIE < 2020: A FRESH PANDEMIC

Fear, stigma and shame. These were Officer Professor Brett Sutton. the defining characteristics of the The media reports included dramatic emergence of HIV and AIDS in the images of the looming concrete early 1980’s. As we grapple with the towers and the flashing lights of police current COVID-19 epidemic, it is worth vehicles on the ground. The lockdown reflecting on the impact HIV and AIDS was enforced by a significant police had on Australia. presence who were described as 1985 - FEAR AND DEATH ‘guarding’ the residents and was put in It is difficult to underestimate the place with immediate effect. palpable level of stigma that was The public perception was not helped associated with HIV in the mid 80s, by the fact that ‘total lockdown’ and and although stigma at that level has ‘lockdown’ are phrases regularly lessened in recent years, it has not employed when describing prisons gone away. It it is fair to say that stigma and maintaining control over those who acted as a disincentive to testing for have done the wrong thing. HIV in the past which, in turn resulted Emma King, the Victorian Council of COVID-19 SAW THE EMERGENCE OF in catastrophic health outcomes for NEW STIGMAS AIMED AT VULNERABLE Social Services CEO was concerned POPULATIONS. both individuals and the community in by the police presence, describing general. the lockdown as looking “like a crime restrictions, the same curfew. We have It was not uncommon for people to scene.” Residents were depicted as all been mandated to protect ourselves lose partners, friendship networks, confused and lost, without any details and others – and it seems that we are relationships with their families of what was happening to them. doing so, willingly. and employment due to a positive This was a population of marginalised In 1985 we had to demonstrate in the diagnosis. Stigma would cause people living in a public housing streets to fight for HIV treatment and people not to seek treatment in a environment that has been stigmatised prevention. Now in 2020 the population timely manner, resulting in disease by the community and the media is living in a world that has been progression and death. And even in for decades. Media images showed transformed by a blanket awareness death, stigma was the driver for families residents standing at the windows of of COVID-19, how it is transmitted, and some friends to deny that AIDS their apartments looking out helplessly. how we can avoid it and how we must was the cause of their loved ones Many of these people, as Professor protect and care for others who are demise. Sharon Lewin pointed out, “are in work affected by it. Many people merely died ‘after a long that’s essential, so they are more likely In this country, in 1985 one of the things illness’ or ‘suddenly’ or ‘from cancer’. to be exposed to infection.” that was directly linked to our success At times, even mourning was driven Many of those who were not in in the response to the HIV pandemic underground due to the stigma and essential work were in other low income was the early involvement of the shame associated with an AIDS-related jobs or living with a disability. In short, community. We were active participants death. those people who are considered to in care, support, government policy, It was not uncommon at the time, for be at the margins of society. People prevention and research. It is important people to decide that they would not who have been habituated to stigma for to remember that legacy when we be tested because they, ‘didn’t want generations. see the remarkable participation of the community amidst the current to know’ and they feared the ways in All this makes for a splashy story. which they would be treated if they pandemic. Out on the streets there is The punitive ways in which this was were found to be positive. a tangible sense that we are all playing handled and reported resulted in a part, that we all have a role to play in 2020 - STIGMA AND FEAR people being publicly shamed and stemming new infections. Now we have another global pandemic stigmatised when they were at their If we can learn from the past and build to contend with, and stigma with all its most vulnerable. To many of us, who on the sense of a collective community associated emotional negativities could lived through the early days of the HIV effort and responsibility that is informed again hold us back significantly in our epidemic, this scenario seems very by care, sensitivity, sound public policy efforts to control it. familiar. and personal agency – without stigma, The restrictions put on the Melbourne COVID-19 AND THE FUTURE fear or shame – then we will emerge public housing complexes during But unlike the early days of the HIV from this crisis as a stronger society. winter are one example of how public pandemic, the action in the towers narratives can stigmatise affected aside, there are several elements of populations. From the beginning of the current situation that are positive. this action, the towers were described Generally speaking there is a sense as going into ‘hard lockdown’ and the that we are all in this together, because buildings having “genuinely explosive we are, literally. potential” for the spread of the virus, according to Victorian Chief Health We were all subject to the same

THH ANNUAL REPORT 2020 l 6 Coming out and finding acceptance as a trans teacher has been difficult. RICK < SEX AND COVID-19

In March 2020, the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and COVID-19 posed a very real threat to the health and wellbeing to our LGBTI communities and people living with HIV. As the Australian public health response started to take shape, it was clear that physical distancing was going to play a major role. Taking into account the needs, motivations, and behaviours of the communities we serve, we asked, “What does this mean for sex?” Faced with this complex question, we began putting together resources to arm the community with information on how to limit their risk of transmission or acquisition while maintaining a healthy sex life. Released on 17 March, our Info Sheet: Sex, intimacy & coronavirus was one of the first resources in the world addressing this issue. For months, it was THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ORGANISATIONS IN THE among the top results when searching WORLD TO ADDRESS ISSUES RELATED TO COVID-19 AND SEX. online about sex and coronavirus. The resource has since been adapted for interstate audiences as well as communities in Canada, South Africa, Brazil, Ireland, and New Zealand. STOP SEX for HIV medications and PrEP to prevent HIV through the Melbourne Gay We also made the tough decision to ask prevent COVID-19, we encouraged Community Periodic Survey. Through our communities to stop having casual the community to remain focused on the Kirby Institute’s FLUX study, we know sex. strategies supported by evidence rather that almost half of gay and bisexual men After nearly four decades of sex-positive than speculation. Working with Dr who were using PrEP to prevent HIV health promotion messaging with regard George Forgen-Smith, we addressed have stopped during the pandemic. As to HIV and other STIs, this decision community questions concerning the restrictions start to ease, it’s vital that we was not made lightly but warranted by level of risk posed by a range of sexual work with these communities to make the significant health risk we faced. We activities. Our sexually adventurous sure they safely resume using PrEP in the took to social media, hook up apps, men’s project went online to present way that best works for them – whether and LGBTI media to encourage our Down An’ Dirty Live – a virtual forums that be daily PrEP or on-demand. Of communities to take action. We had exploring esoteric practices and sexual course, we also need to keep condoms, resources translated into five other health. The forums have continued PEP, and undetectable viral load (UVL) in languages to inform and support our to run every week and have brought the HIV prevention conversation. linguistically diverse LGBTI communities. together community members from EASING RESTRICTIONS regional and metropolitan areas During this time, the traffic to our website While other parts of the world are alike across both Victoria and South more than doubled! Over 100,000 visitors experiencing deadly second and third Australia. went to ThorneHarbour.org within the first waves of the pandemic, case numbers 90 days following the release of our first As our communities went into a time in Australia are incredibly low. Strict sex and COVID resource. of reduced sexual activity, we were lockdown measures are starting to ease THE PARTNERSHIP APPROACH presented with unique opportunities in Victoria. Borders between states are and new challenges. There was a Informed by the lessons learned from starting to open up. It’ll be some time chance to greatly reduce the onward leading the community response to HIV, before we see the potential roll out of of transmission of STIs. Through our we worked with clinicians, community a viable vaccine. Until then, we need flagshipDrama Downunder campaign, leaders, and subject matter experts to to continue the conversation around we have been encouraging our foster a progressive conversation when what sex looks like in a ‘COVID normal’ communities to JUMP TO IT! and to it came to sex and COVID. Through landscape. get tested and treated for HIV and other Well, Well, Well, our weekly radio show STIs. on JOY 94.9, we spoke to leading infectious disease experts, clinicians, and COVID-19 AND PrEP researchers alongside sex workers and Just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic authorities in sex tech. As community we saw a record number of gay and dialogue mounted about the potential bisexual men report using PrEP to

THH ANNUAL REPORT 2020 l 7 Being a Spark facilitator has allowed me to connect and get to know more trans folk. RICK < CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY

RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN Our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RAPWG) has been meeting regularly to develop a second action plan to advance reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This plan will build on our first Reflect RAP and contain measurable and meaningful strategies to increase cultural safety, purposeful partnerships, employment opportunities, and service accessibility. As part of the RAPWG’s work this past year, we presented a yarning panel on living in the intersection of Aboriginality and queerness for an organisation-wide forum. We have also commenced an organisational Cultural Safety Audit in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC CERVIX ANNOUNCEMENT CAMPAIGN RAN AGAIN THIS YEAR. Child Care Agency. MEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT OF year with financial and training support series of talks for Bendigo Bank, at POSITIVE PEOPLE from Transgender Victoria’s SPARK United We Feast (Australian LGBTQI+ program. Volunteer facilitators receive Multicultural Council), and delivered Our Meaningful Involvement of PLHIV an honorarium and certification in their training to organisations including Boort (MIPA) framework proactively encourages chosen name and the skills they gain District Health, Castlemaine Health, City involvement and active participation in all are broadly applicable in a range of of Greater Bendigo and Murray Valley aspects of our response, empowering employment opportunities. Aboriginal Cooperative. positive people to use their lived experience to contribute to and inform DISABILITY WOMEN’S HEALTH the organisation’s policies and practices. In collaboration with Inclusion Design The Public Cervix Announcement We remain dedicated to ensuring that Labs, this year we embarked on a campaign ran for the second year the communities most affected by HIV disability inclusion project funded by the in a row to promote cancer cervical are actively involved and engaged, National Disability Insurance Agency’s screening. The campaign was nominated thereby improving program processes Information, Linkages and Capacity for a Victorian Public Healthcare Award and outcomes, cultural competency, Buidling Program. Building on the and was adopted and showcased responsiveness to client needs, client recommendations from our previous across the ACT. Our LGBTIQ Women’s satisfaction, and the quality of care and disability review, this project saw a team Health Survey ran for the second year support services. of 12 LGBTIQ people with disabilities, at Midsumma Carnival, providing us TRANS AND GENDER DIVERSE including the Project Officer, come with insights into the important issues COMMUNITIES together to identify key issues facing surrounding queer women and allowing LGBTIQ people with disabilities, and us to develop key partnerships to meet During COVID-19 lockdown, we develop resources that address these the needs of LGBTIQ women. One such developed a seminar series focussed barriers. partnership was working with Breast on trans, gender-diverse and non-binary Screen Victoria on the development of (TGDNB) wellbeing. These 90-minute Resources include: Navigating a project that would encourage queer webinars have been well attended with the NDIS as an LGBTIQ person, women to screen more frequently. audiences ranging from 50-100 people Understanding LGBTIQ Disability Rights and closed caption recordings available and Infringements, a toolkit for including This year during Women’s Health Week, on Thorne Harbour’s YouTube channel. LGBTIQA+ protections in contracts we shared a range information and and pre-service agreements, and a services offered by the organisation The Trans and Gender Diverse in series of profiles on LGBTIQ people with online and within queer women’s Community Health (TGDiCH) project disabilities. networks. As part of International has delivered a series of TGD Affirmative Women’s Day, we hosted Wise Words Practice Training sessions for GPs, REGIONAL HEALTH – A Night of Intergenerational Storytelling nurses, and other providers across Thorne Harbour Country participated in at Hares & Hyenas. The event featured the state this year. The Project ECHO 35 events across the Loddon Mallee this personal narratives of all ages discussing online Community of Practice, in which year. Highlights include Out in The Open the experience of being queer. We also clinicians discuss anonymised case Festival, ChillOut Festival, Deadly Health developed a range of online events to studies and share best practice in at Mallee District Aboriginal Service, help LGBTIQ women stay connected with working with TGDNB communities, Picnic in The Park in Mildura, Frolic each other during COVID-19 — including continues to be well attended. Festival, Rainbow Ball in Bendigo and creative ways to deal with mental health Queer Formal in Kyneton. Two new TGDNB peer-support groups issues, healthy ways to discuss alcohol, - Pace (for/by Trans Men) and Novus The service presented at the Better and creative writing workshops. (for/by trans women) - have started this Together Conference, as part of a

THH ANNUAL REPORT 2020 l 8 The uncertainty was a challenge - not knowing what’s going to happen in the future. PEGGY < MILESTONES 2019 - 2020

675,500+ VISITS TO THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH WEBSITES

61,000+ SAFE SEX PACKS DISTRIBUTED

21,000+ COMBINED APPOINTMENTS FOR PRONTO! EQUINOX & CENTRE CLINIC

4,000+ HOURS OF HOME- CARE & NDIS SUPPORT

2,800+ COOKED TWO COURSE MEALS PROVIDED TO CLIENTS

2,000+ PANTRY PACKAGES SUPPLIED TO CLIENTS

860+ MASKS PRODUCED BY VOLUNTEERS FOR CLIENTS 500+ CLIENT TRANSPORTS TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS BY VOLUNTEERS

THH ANNUAL REPORT 2020 l 9 It’s been incredible to see how people have adapted - how Thorne Harbour has adapted. PEGGY < 10 STORIES FROM THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH

1 Charlie’s Story 3 Loose Lips in Adelaide Charlie is a young trans man with After five successful events as part a psycho-social disability. With of Midsumma Festival, the Thorne the support of NDIS and Thorne Harbour Hypothetical crossed the Harbour’s Home Care Team, Charlie border into South Australia. As part is developing his skills at his own of the 2019 Feast Festival, SAMESH pace. He completed a subject at hosted Loose Lips in Public Places at university, perfected cooking skills, and the University of Adelaide’s Elder Hall. volunteered on our THH Coffee Cart. The format made popular by Geoffrey “Each success gives me confidence Robertson’s Hypothetical on the ABC, and helps me to realise that I don’t have sees a panel of community leaders, to exempt myself from the things that politicians, and media personalities I’m passionate about just because I navigate a fictional narrative filled with have a disability.” contemporary social issues. “My support team is flexible, supportive Moderated by Dean Arcuri, the all- and gentle. They understand where I’ve queer panel included 2019 International come from and what I’m struggling with Mr Leather Jack Thompson, Adelaide in a non-judgmental, compassionate City Councillor Robert Simms, Feast and creative way. I always feel like my Program Coordinator Lucy Hackworth, choices are supported.” Ms Adelaide Leather 2018 Jody “I have learnt a lot for my own personal Anderson, SA Health’s Holley Skene, DEAN ARCURI, THE BRILLIANT HOST OF life, giving me that confidence to go out Radio Adelaide’s Mark Tripodi and LOOSE LIPS IN PUBLIC PLACES AT THE FEAST and be part of the wider world.” LGBTI community advocate Kim Gates. FESTIVAL IN ADELIADE.

2 Rainbow Connection 4 Pride-Solation 5 Taking Charge of HIV & Ageing Rainbow Connection, originally In an Australian first, Pride-Solation For people living with HIV aged over focused on supporting LGBTI elders, brought together 15 Victorian regional 50, we now offer Taking Charge. In has expanded to support any LGBTI festivals and organisations to celebrate partnership with Living Positive Victoria, Victorian impacted by the COVID-19 Pride Month on Saturday 20 June 2020 Taking Charge focuses on ageing pandemic. Through the new phone in an online event streamed live through with HIV and includes a Positive Self- hotline, the service offers peer support, Facebook and Lance TV Ballarat. Management Program and a monthly food security, and advice on housing Led by Thorne Harbour Country, Peer Support Network. issues. Volunteers provide weekly participating organisations included: The self-management program gives peer support for isolated clients and Koorie Pride Network, OUTintheOPEN PLHIV the skills to coordinate all volunteer drivers deliver prepared meals Festival Shepparton (Goulburn Valley the things needed to manage their Pride Inc.), Mallee Pride, Gippsland to people. Between March and June health and to help them keep active. Pride Initiative, Wimmera Pride 2020, Rainbow Connection delivered The program is aimed at those with Project, Geelong Rainbow Festival more than 1100 meals. longstanding HIV and significant co- (Geelong Rainbow Inc), Ballarat Frolic morbidities as well as other challenges One of the volunteer drivers, Bruce Festival, Castlemaine Pride, Trans and such as depression, loneliness, Weston, said, “It’s important to try Gender Diverse Bendigo and Beyond isolation, stigma, and rejection. to keep a sense of community in and Daylesford’s ChillOut Festival. Meanwhile, the monthly peer support the darkest times, and through this Showcasing the talents of our LGBTIQ network is chance for social connection program I have been able to connect communities across Australia, the as well as learn about a range issues with a whole range of isolated LGTBI event included health messaging to affecting health and wellbeing. Like so people and provide support not just support our communities during a time many other programs, Taking Charge through food but through human of physical distancing and lockdown went online during the COVID-19 connection.” restrictions. With over seven hours of programming, the online event was a pandemic to offer virtual events. huge success with over 8,900 viewers, 680 comments, and 160 shares of the live stream.

THH ANNUAL REPORT 2020 l 10

Being able to participate in events virtually, I don’t face the same issues around accessibility. CLARE <

6 Scope Out As part of our expanding offering of peer education workshops, October 2019 saw the launch of Scope. Scope is aimed at LGBTIQ women wanting to explore their identity and make new social connections in a safe and welcoming space. Through the Scope 2016 MISTER GAY WORLD, JOHN F. workshops, participants can share RASPADO, IS THE LEAD AMBASSADOR FOR and learn more about themselves and LOVE YOURSELF’S INCOGNITO 2.0 TESTING other LGBTIQ women. Like our other CAMPAIGN. STAFF FROM LOVE YOURSELF peer education workshops, Scope is WERE HOSTED BY THH AS PART OF THE FILIPINO DELEGATION IN 2019. peer-led by trained volunteer facilitators. Scope is now offered as a six-week long series of workshops navigating 8 The Filipino Delegation topics like identity, coming out, sexual In October of 2019, we welcomed day program offered presentations and health, community and stigma. a delegation from the Philippines. sessions from across the organisation Sponsored by the World Health and site visits to both our Positive Living Centre and PRONTO!/Equinox. 7 Fans of THH Organisation (WHO), the delegation came to get a better understanding Following the visit, the delegation As part of our What Works campaign of how the Thorne Harbour leads the successfully negotiated the inclusion of highlighting tools for HIV prevention, community response to HIV with a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and we distributed rainbow fans at LGBTIQ particular focus on digital community a combination of other HIV prevention summer festivals including Midsumma engagement and health promotion. tools in the Philippines HIV strategy, and ChillOut. Quickly, the nearly The delegation included community as well as securing funding to create a 2,000 fans started to make cameos project workers, public health officers, national campaign highlighting the suite on local media coverage of LGBTIQ doctors, and WHO officials. The three- of tools available for HIV prevention. community events as well as on stage as part of drag performances. Hundreds of fans also made their 9 Trans & Gender Diverse C 10 Royal Commission way overseas with the 700+ athletes om in Comunity Health In partnership with Rainbow Health that attended the Melbourne 2020 Helping to create safe access to Victoria and Switchboard, we made International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics healthcare for trans and gender a submission to Victoria’s Royal Championships sponsored by Thorne diverse people in Victoria, the Trans Commission into the state’s mental Harbour in February. However, the and Gender Diverse in Community health system. With a vision for a mental most notable appearance of our fans Health (TGDiCH) Training Project is health system that provides safe and came once the COVID-19 pandemic a consortium with Your Community equitable health care, the submission arrived. Melbourne Zoo set up several Health, Ballarat Community Health, outlined a number of recommendations livestreams so people could enjoy the and Austin Health. Co-created with to improve the poor mental health animals from home. One Saturday trans and gender diverse (TGD) people outcomes disproportionally experienced morning, a zookeeper stole the show and medical professionals, the project by our LGBTIQ communities. offers training packages created to with a delightful on-camera dance We made an additional submission to improve TGD sensitivity, reduce stigma performance with one of our rainbow the Royal Commission in partnership and discrimination, and build the fans in hand! The camp clip went viral with Living Positive Victoria and Positive health sector’s capacity to meet the and featured on BBC news. Women Victoria. This submission needs of TGD individuals. By helping to noted the relationship between HIV and embed TGD affirmative care into health mental health challenges and outlined a services, we’re hoping to overcome number of recommendations to improve the health disparity experienced between our TGD communities and mental health for people living with HIV. the broader community. Training is tailored for various audiences including GPs, specialists, nurses, allied health, pathology, and reception staff.

THH ANNUAL REPORT 2020 l 11

My fiancée and I had to cancel our wedding, but we have a new date for the year ahead. CLARE < THORNE HARBOUR AWARDS J J J LIFE MEMBER SPECIAL SERVICES AWARD SPECIAL SERVICES AWARD Elizabeth Crock Leasa Mann Jo Bangles Liz Crock has worked closely with Since the first lockdown began Leasa As a dedicated and respected Thorne Harbour staff and volunteers for has developed initiatives to help community leader, Jo Bangles has more than 30 years. community members cope during the played an integral role in supporting In the early days of the AIDS epidemic, COVID pandemic. Leasa has served Thorne Harbour’s work with our regional as a nurse at Fairfield Infectious the community by hosting a weekly and rural communities. Diseases Hospital, Liz supported the ‘Drinking in wigs: sparkling isolation’ Born and raised in regional Victoria, Jo then Victorian AIDS Council volunteers live webcam event to entertain lonely has been the President of Dykes on as they undertook intensive training in and isolated community members in Bikes Melbourne for the past decade, home care and infection control. lockdown. Hundreds of people tune and more recently, became the Co- Liz Crock is a tireless advocate for her into this for social engagement and to President of Geelong Rainbow Inc. clients, a committed HIV/AIDS activist, remain connected to community each after successfully organising both the and an essential support for Thorne week. Geelong Rainbow Festival and the Harbour in the delivery of its community Geelong Pride March. In addition, her services. J ISOber initiative motivated community SPECIAL SERVICES AWARD members to better assess their drinking J Sam Dengate behaviours during lockdown. The trust Jo has earned from her active LIFE MEMBER During the time of the COVID-19 leadership put her in a unique position Leighton Browne pandemic, Sam has managed to link in to support both our Women’s Health over 150 members of the community Leighton Browne has been a member Project and the work of Thorne Harbour with daily check-ins on physical of THH for 25 years. Always a friendly Country. face at the Positive Living Centre, and mental health and wellbeing. Leighton is a long term and active As an openly queer transman, Sam member of our community advisory understands the complexities of J group. Leighton is also an active events identity and the need for visibility in the GREIG FRIDAY AWARD volunteer supporting the organisation community. Elliott McMahon on World AIDS Day, at Northside Bizarre Sam has the ability to see the bigger Elliott commenced volunteering for and elsewhere. picture of community needs, to THH as a generalist counsellor two consistently adapt his work model to years ago. More recently, Elliott has J ensure access is available no matter become the lead volunteer facilitator for PRESIDENT’S AWARD who or where you are, in a safe and the ADMIN group run through the THH Switchboard Victoria affirming manner has shown his Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) team. passion for bettering community. Switchboard Victoria Inc is a community ADMIN is an open/ongoing support based not for profit organisation that group for transgender, non-binary and provides a peer based, volunteer run J gender diverse people looking to better support service for the lesbian, gay, SPECIAL SERVICES AWARD manage their alcohol and other drug bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, Dee Chyssomallos use. asexual (LGBTIQA+) community and As a founding member of FTM Shed, Elliott’s work in this group and passion their allies, friends, and families. Dee originally joined Thorne Harbour to support his fellow volunteers Switchboard has been a key partner Health to offer support within Peer demonstrate a high level of collaborative of THH’s for nearly 30 years and for a Education programs for Trans men. leadership and work to further the significant period was based out of the In addition, he has contributed to the mission of Thorne Harbour Health. Peter Knight Centre. success of some of our most notable Switchboard has partnered with events including Northside Bizarre, THH in our policy work, our family World AIDS Memorial Service, VAC- violence work, and in supporting our Stravaganza and Midsumma. As a communities through tough times, such veteran of the leather and kink scene as during the marriage equality debate he has supported his community and during the pandemic. and Thorne Harbour’s involvement at community events such as Rubberman, Mooning, Trough, Slick, AWOL and WOOF club. Dee is a tireless volunteer and community leader.

THH ANNUAL REPORT 2020 l 12 Leaving my home country to study abroad was a massive life change and the pandemic intensified that. ABDURAHMAN < FINANCIAL REPORT

Revenue summary REVENUE BREAKDOWN Grant income 10,684,521 Operating income 3,805,120 l Grant income 73% l Operating income 26% Investment income 203,207 l Investment income 1% 14,692,848

Revenue breakdown

Grant income 10,684,521 Client fees 1,800,354 Donations, fundraising and bequest income 301,563 Goods and Services Income 749,911 Membership fees 4,016 Other revenue 949,276 EXPENSES BREAKDOWN l Operating expenses 16% Dividend income 134,298 l Employee costs 64% Interest income 68,909 l Campaign expenses 9%

Total revenue 14,692,848 l Client support expenses 10%

l Professional expenses 1%

Expense breakdown l Other expenses 0%

Operating expenses 2,186,849 Employee costs 8,603,644 Campaign expenses 1,186,332 Client Support expenses 1,354,582 Professional fees 151,039 Other expenses 36,870 13,519,316

VICTORIAN AIDS COUNCIL INC./GAY MEN’S HEALTH CENTRE INC. (AGGREGATED) Summary Aggregated Statement of Profit or Loss For the Year Ended 30 June 2020

2020 2019 $ $ Revenue 14,692,848 14,324,978 Less: expenses

Operating expenses (2,186,849) (2,021,396) Employee costs (8,603,644) (7,868,788) Campaign expenses (1,186,332) (1,783,274) Client support expenses (1,354,582) (1,347,128) Professional fees (151,039) (164,402) Other expenses (36,870) (68,127) (13,519,316) (13,253,116) Surplus / (deficit) for the year 1,173,532 1,071,862 Cont.

THH ANNUAL REPORT 2020 l 13 Volunteering has allowed me to meet new people and help others. It’s been great for my mental wellbeing. ABDURAHMAN < VICTORIAN AIDS COUNCIL INC./GAY MEN’S HEALTH CENTRE INC. (AGGREGATED)

Aggregated Statement of Financial Position As At 30 June 2020

Assets 2020 2019 $ $ Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 4,039,042 3,599,201 Trade and other receivables 302,624 77,124 Other financial assets 6,472,815 6,343,353 Other assets 514,764 154,760

Total current assets 11,329,245 10,174,438

Noncurrent assets Trade and other receivables 3,113 2,544 Right-of-use assets 271,604 - Property, plant and equipment 11,811,180 12,035,419 Intangible assets 78,885 102,878 Total noncurrent assets 12,164,782 12,140,841 Total assets 23,494,027 22,315,279 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 730,112 977,831 Provisions 1,275,692 1,009,510 Other liabilities 279,881 398,315 Lease liabilities 241,853 - Total current liabilities 2,527,538 2,385,656

Noncurrent liabilities Provisions 171,239 205,049 Lease liabilities 37,144 - Total noncurrent liabilities 208,383 205,049 Total liabilities 2,735,921 2,590,705 Net assets 20,758,106 19,724,574

Equity Reserves 240,410 380,410 Accumulated surplus 20,517,696 19,344,164 Total Equity 20,758,106 19,724,574

The above summary financial information has been extracted from the audited financial statements. No audit opinion has been issued in relation to the summary financial statements. These should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements that are available to the members on our website www.thorneharbour.org/financials

THH ANNUAL REPORT 2020 l 13 I hadn’t been as community-connected. Volunteering has been a way for me to be a part of the community. NICHOLAS <

Aggregated Statement of Changes in Equity for the Year Ended 30 June 2020

Accumulated Asset Revaluation Financial Assets Total 2020 Surpluses Surplus Reserve

Balance as at 1 July 2019 19,344,164 380,410 - 19,724,57 Net surplus/(deficit) for the year 1,173,532 - - 1,173,532 Revaluation of property, plant and equipment - (140,000) - (140,000)

Balance as at 30 June 2020 20,517,696 240,410 - 20,758,106

Accumulated Asset Revaluation Financial Assets Reserve Total 2019 Surpluses Surplus Balance as at 1 July 2018 18,205,329 380,410 66,973 18,652,712 Cumulative adjustment upon adoption of AASB 66,973 - (66,973) - Balance as at 1 July 2018 (restated) 18,272,302 380,410 - 18,652,712

Net surplus/(deficit) for the year 1,071,862 - - 1,071,862

Balance as at 30 June 2019 19,344,164 380,410 - 19,724,574

Aggregated Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended 30 June 2020

2020 2019 $ $ Cash flows from operating activities Grants received 10,704,521 9,981,459 Payments to suppliers and employees (12,633,288) (13,444,177) Interest received 69,619 162,961 Dividends received 134,298 150,030 Receipts from customers 3,588,871 2,519,631 Donations and bequests received 282,063 1,302,623 Net GST paid (520,221) Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 1,625,863 672,527

Cash flow from investing activities

Payments for financial assets (571,013) (213,777) Payments for property, plant and equipment (49,486) (11,030,278) Payments for intangible assets (5,850) (29,206) Proceeds from disposal of financial assets 342,528 11,198,527 Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities (283,821) (74,734)

Cash flows from financing activities

Repayment of lease liabilities (902,201) -

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities (902,201) -

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents held 439,841 597,793

Cash and cash equivalents at begining of year 3,599,201 3,001,408 Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year 4,039,042 3,599,201

THH ANNUAL REPORT 2020 l 13 I’m glad to have come out as bisexual. I Catching up with people now feel likes a believe visibility is really important. treat. I think we took that for granted before. NICHOLAS LINDY < 1.5 METRES < THANK YOU! l 101 Collins Street l Jack Thompson l ACON l James Farmer l Aesop Emporium l Jon Jackson l AFAO l JOY 94.9 l Alfred Health l JP Morgan l ALGA l Kevin Reader l Alison Thorne l Khang Chiem l Anglicare l Koorie Pride Network l ANZ l Lance TV – Ballarat l ARCSHS l Launch Housing l ASU l Living Positive Victoria l Austin Health l Luke Gallagher l Australian Drug Foundation l MAC Cosmetics l Australian Government l Macquarie Bank l Australian Unity l Mackillop Family Services – Loddon l Ballarat Community Health l Mallee District Aboriginal Service l Bendigo Community Health l Mallee Pride l Bendigo City l Melbourne Gay & Lesbian Chorus l Bendigo District Aboriginal Cooperative l Melbourne Polytechnic l Bolton Clarke l Melbourne Sexual Health Centre l Boort District Health l Midsumma l Brave Network l Monash Health l Breast Screen Victoria l MQFF l Broadtree Foundation l Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative l Burnet Institute l NAB l Cancer Council Victoria l NAPWHA l Carlton United Brewery l National LGBTI Health Alliance l Castlemaine Picnic in the Park Festival l NWMPHN l Catholic AIDS Ministry l Out in the Open Festival l CBRE l Picture This Ballooning l Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health l Positive Life South Australia l Centre for Social Research in Health l Positive Women Victoria l ChillOut l Prahran Market Clinic l CHIRP Community Health l Quit Victoria l City of Melbourne l Relationships Matter l City of Stonnington l Rex Rekhi l City of Yarra l Ro Allen l Cobaw Community Health l Rachel Trevorrow Dunham l Colin Krycer l Salvation Army Housing Vic l CPA Australia l SEMPHN l Create Victoria l Shine SA l Crown Pride l South Australian Government l David Owen l St Kilda Legal Service l Dean Arcuri l Stockland Shopping Centres l Doherty Institute l Sunraysia Community Health l Dolly Diamond l Switchboard Victoria l Dykes on Bikes l The Centre l Energy Australia l The Institute of Many l Enliven l The Laird l Equality Australia l Transgender Victoria l Family Planning Victoria l VAADA l Foodbank Victoria l VACCHO l FPPV l VAHS l Frolic Festival l Veronica Moore l Garry Robottom l VicHealth l Geelong Rainbow Festival l Victoria Police l Gippsland Pride Initiative l Victorian Government l Dr George Forgan Smith l Victorian Pride Centre l Gilead l ViiV l Gippsland Pride l Virginia Cummins l GiveOUT l Vixen Collective l Goldman Sachs l VHA l Haven; Home, Safe l Volunteering Victoria l Headspace Bendigo l Women’s Health Loddon Mallee l Herbert Smith Freehills l Your Community Health l Housing Choices l Zoe Belle Gender Collective