Australian City Backs First LGBTQ+ Action Plan in Unanimous Vote
Launceston has unanimously adopted its first LGBTQ+ Action Plan, setting out commitments covering Pride, inclusion, services and community support.
The Australian city of Launceston has adopted its first dedicated LGBTQ+ Action Plan, setting out a series of commitments aimed at supporting the community across northern Tasmania.
Councillors unanimously supported the plan, which was developed following extensive community engagement and research involving more than 1,000 people.
The new framework includes LGBTQ+ training for council employees, support for Pride events and workshops designed to help businesses and organisations become more inclusive.
Other commitments include supporting LGBTQ+ public art, recording local LGBTQ+ history and working with police, health services and other organisations.
Plans for a dedicated Pride hub are also included, alongside efforts to challenge stigma and improve understanding across the wider community.
The significance of the decision is that this is the first time Launceston has brought these commitments together under a dedicated LGBTQ+ action plan.
Launceston also joins several other Tasmanian councils that have developed similar plans, including Hobart, Glenorchy, Kingborough and Burnie.
While the decision is a local one rather than a change to Australian national policy, it represents another example of LGBTQ+ inclusion becoming a formal part of local government planning in Tasmania.
The focus now moves to how the commitments are delivered and the involvement of the local LGBTQ+ community as the plan develops.
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Image credits - Tourism Australia
