Aligned State Strategies / Initiatives
LGBTQIA+ inclusion strategy to promote equality for Western Australia
The Government has committed to develop a strategy to drive inclusiveness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual plus (LGBTQIA+) Western Australians. The strategy encourages a coordinated approach through targeted support, strong partnerships and better integration between government agencies including the Departments of Communities, Education and Health and the Mental Health Commission.
There is an opportunity to link with the WA LGBTQIA+ inclusion strategy and the new peak LGBTQIA+ body by using the project as a case study/catalyst for adopting a different approach in meaningful and longer-term cross-sector and community impact.
Dept of Health Western Australian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex Health Strategy 2019 - 2024
YOUnity will address priorities (below) through the delivery of the program, which could help shape operational direction to actualise the Department's future strategy.
Priority 1: LGBTI populations' experience of health services is LGBTI inclusive and meets all physical and mental health and wellbeing needs - easily accessible online health education resources. Achieved through education and dissemination of information at workshops and embedding future access via the community groups running the program in each community.
Priority 2: The WA health system provides leadership and promotes affirmative practices for the health and wellbeing needs of LGBTI populations - the WA health system provides targeted programs that help improve the health literacy of LGBTI people. Achieved via an alternative ‘targeted program’ using the arts as a medium via a 'health by stealth' methodology
Priority 6: Access to LGBTI-specific health services - resourcing is provided to build the capacity of peer-led support services. Alternative peer-led support service providers could be engaged directly through local arts and community organisations, museums and galleries.
Methodology
Arts programming is used to foster a safe and inclusive space. Through conversation and questioning, participants are encouraged to unpack feelings, lived experiences and conceptions/misconceptions about wellness, mental health, and identity. Through this process, people can ascertain support for themselves, family or friends; with ideas, resources and referrals for support services provided. Participation will be encouraged for future workshops and with groups of common interest for ongoing positive behavioural changes to improve mental health through culture and the arts.
Methodology
Arts programming is used to foster a safe and inclusive space. Through conversation and questioning, participants are encouraged to unpack feelings, lived experiences and conceptions/misconceptions about wellness, mental health, and identity. Through this process, people can ascertain support for themselves, family or friends; with ideas, resources and referrals for support services provided. Participation will be encouraged for future workshops and with groups of common interest for ongoing positive behavioural changes to improve mental health through culture and the arts.
Community workshops will include creative guidance and safe healthy spaces will be provided to participants in addition to positive health messaging and the provision of information on health services available to the LGBTIQA+ community.
Information on LGBTIQA+ and LGBTIQA+ friendly organisations will be on hand to encourage people to stay connected. There is no cost for spectators or participants to access any of the workshops to ensure they are accessible to everyone in each community.
SEW-Arts will be utilised for the design of the program including training/upskilling of local facilitators and partnering community organisations. The SEW-Arts framework, developed by The Kids Research Institute, is designed to assist artists and practitioners to intentionally promote the social and emotional wellbeing of young people through arts programs.
The workshops will lead participants through conversational topics embedding three of the four wellness factors:
Feelings - For participants to be empowered to express their emotions while unpacking compassion for self and towards others.
Tuning In - For participants to enter a flow state, be ‘in the zone’ through led mindfulness techniques connecting to conversations to explore self-awareness of thoughts and emotions.
Connecting - For participants to spend time with their existing network and meet new people in the community in a safe environment to share and listen.
Intended Outcomes
The YOUnity program has been designed to work towards the following outcomes:
Reduce isolation and loneliness by connecting LGBTIQA+ youth with peers and local community groups
Create safer, more inclusive environments that affirm queer identities and foster a sense of belonging
Support positive mental health through embedded health messaging and clear pathways to relevant services
Empower young people to explore their identity and lived experience through creative expression
Elivate regional LGBTIQA+ youth voices through art, storytelling, and music to influence broader cultural + policy change
Showcase youth voices on public platforms, including a major creative presentation at the 2026 PRIDE Fest in Perth
Strengthen local and statewide networks between young people and community organisations
Preserve and celebrate youth contributions through potential inclusion in exhibitions or archives (in partnership with AMaGA)
LGBTIQA+ young people in regional WA gain increased access to and participation in the arts, using creative expression as a platform to build connection, strengthen identity, and contribute to broader inclusion and wellbeing outcomes.
Evaluation
The program will be evaluated using North Midlands Project's Cultivate impact evaluation, innovation and learning tool. This will capture activity details; outputs; data on learnings; ideas; potential innovations for the future; and both behavioural, environmental and economic changes based on PERMA modelling (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Positive Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishments / Achievements) encapsulating the SEW-Arts framework.
Evaluation
The program will be evaluated using North Midlands Project's Cultivate impact evaluation, innovation and learning tool. This will capture activity details; outputs; data on learnings; ideas; potential innovations for the future; and both behavioural, environmental and economic changes based on PERMA modelling (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Positive Relationships, Meaning and Accomplishments / Achievements) encapsulating the SEW-Arts framework.
Research + Reference Material
Research + Reference Material
