Working It Out Inc

Last Friday, May 15, Working It Out presented our annual Dorothies Awards at the WIO IDAHOBIT Breakfast event.

The Dorothies Awards for LGBTIQA+ inclusion in Family and S*xual Violence Services and Programs were awarded to:

• COTA Tasmania, for Innovation and Impact.
• Engender Equality, for Excellence In Community Connections and Partnerships
• Laural House, for Inclusive Leadership

Thanks to Honourable Minister for Health, Bridget Archer MP for presenting the awards.

Thank you also to Alison Overeem (Smith) for the Welcome to Country, and our speakers Jackson Fairchild and Doris Grant.

Many thanks to those who attended.

The 2026 IDAHOBIT Breakfast / Dorothies Awards were sponsored by Department of Health, Tasmania, Relationships Australia Tasmania, Care2Serve, Alcohol To***co and other Drugs Council (Tas), City of Clarence, The Link Youth Health Service, & BaptistCare VIC & TAS

Thanks to Alex and team The Function Centre at the The Tasmanian Hockey Centre, Bell Street New Town.

Next year the Dorothies Awards theme will be for Excellence in LGBTIQA+ inclusive practise in Aged Care.

Photos by Rod Spark Photography

Pride at Work Study

Our friends at Monash University have launched a survey called, “Pride at Work: Understanding the mental health challenges facing LGBTQIA+ workers and identifying priorities for building inclusive workplaces,” and they would like to hear from LGBTQIA+ people working in Australia.
What does the research involve?
Completing a 10-minute online survey. You will be asked questions about your background, wellbeing, experiences at work, and what kinds of workplace supports you think are most important. The survey is completely anonymous. At the end of the survey, you will have optional opportunities to:

• Enter a draw to win one of three $100 gift vouchers
• Register your interest in a follow-up interview (45 to 60 minutes via Zoom, with a $50 voucher)
• Request a summary of research findings when the study is complete

Across Tasmania, organisations are strengthening their culture with Working It Out’s LGBTIQA+ workplace training and support services.

It all starts with a conversation.

The EOFY is almost upon us! Contact us today to discuss pre-30-June invoicing. Email [email protected]

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT WORKING IT OUT

The theme for National Volunteer Week (18th -24th May) 2026 is "Your Year to Volunteer!"

Did you know that Working It Out is currently recruiting volunteers for TWO programs?

Any LGBTIQA+ person over the age of 18 can volunteer through Rainbow Connections and Working It Out Together. In both programs, you’ll be matched to provide one-on-one support to an isolated member of our community.

Rainbow Connections: volunteer visits to provide friendship and companionship to older LGBTI people. Write to: [email protected]

Working It Out Together: LGBTIQA+ community buddy program. Write to: [email protected]

We encourage sign-ups from all members of the LGBTIQA+ community and are open to adapting roles to suit the needs of all volunteers.

So, get in touch and make 2026 your year to volunteer!
Find out more on our website in the Members and Allies / Volunteer page. (link in comments)



Image description: Wavy red, purple, and blue lines and the National Volunteer Week logo create a frame. Inside is: a rainbow made of dots above the text Rainbow Connections: An Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme Initiative by Working It Out; and the text Working It Out Together made of colourful dots above two icons of hands, one a black hand in front of a colourful dot background and the other a colourful dot hand on a black background.

IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia) is celebrated annually on May 17.

It marks the historic day in 1990 when the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases.

It serves as a global moment to stand against LGBTQIA+ discrimination, raise awareness of rights violations, and celebrate sexual and gender diversity.

For many q***r and trans individuals, visible symbols of support (like rainbow clothing) from allies play a critical role in feeling safe and welcome.

Wear your colours and show your support of LGBTIQA+ humans this IDAHOBIT day.

For information on Working It Out services and programs for LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians visit our website. Link in comments.

It's the last few days of the Burnie LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Survey from our Friends at Burnie City Council.

If you live, work or visit Bunie, please take a few minutes of your time to offer your thoughts on how Burnie can be a more inclusive place for LGBTIQA+ people.

Our friends at Burnie City Council are developing their first LGBTIQA+ Action Plan - and they want to hear from you.

If you’re part of, or connected to, the LGBTIQA+ community, your voice will help shape a more inclusive, safe, and welcoming Burnie.

💬 Share your experiences
💡 Tell BCC what’s working (and what’s not)
🤝 Help guide real, meaningful change

The survey is open to LGBTIQA+ people, family members, and allies, who live, work, study or visit Burnie.

👉 Have your say: burnie.tas.gov.au/LGBTIQA-Inclusion

🗓️ Closes Monday, 18 May 2026

Our friends at Glenorchy City Council are running a FREE Language Matters Workshop (facilitated by Working It Out Inc on the 21st of May. Learn how language matters when it comes to building LGBTIQA+ inclusion in your organisation, business, or community group.

🌈 There’s still time to register for the upcoming LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Training at Goodwood on 21 May!

This special session is being delivered in collaboration with Playgroup Tasmania, and parents with children under 5 are welcome to bring their little ones along.

Playgroup Tasmania will provide activities for children during the session, however parents and carers are still required to supervise.

A light lunch will also be provided.

Places are limited, so we encourage anyone interested to sign up soon.

👉 Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/language-matters-goodwood
Working It Out Inc Playgroup Tasmania Inc Goodwood Community Centre, Tasmania

Now open: Australia’s largest LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing survey!

From our friends at Pride Research Collective & La Trobe University / Australian Research Centre in S*x, Health & Society.

-SURVEY LINK IN COMMENTS-
If you’re LGBTIQA+ and 18+, take the survey now.

If you know any LGBTIQA+ folks, please share this post widely!
Private Lives 4 is the fourth iteration of this landmark survey, and we need LGBTIQA+ adults to tell us about their health, wellbeing, lives, challenges, joys and communities.

Results from this survey - funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing - will help inform policy, advocacy, service providers, health professionals and more about the needs, strengths and priorities of LGBTIQA+ adults in Australia.

Our major population surveys are the largest source of Australian data on the health and wellbeing of our communities, so we need as many people as possible to participate!

From our arty friends at Q***r As . Art:

Q***r As Art is a collective of q***r artists from Lutruwita/Tasmania. In this, our third exhibition, we will be showcasing work from 12 talented artist across many disciplines. Join us on Thursday 14 May at 6pm for our opening night at Social Gallery in Salamanca.

This EOFY donate to Working It Out’s Gender Affirmation Fund and help Tasmanian trans & gender diverse people access affirming supports. To donate go to https://www.givenow.com.au/wio_affirmationfund

All donations to our Affirmation Fund are tax deductable! Yay!

WIO’s Affirmation Fund provides funding up to $400 per annum to individual applicants (over 18) to assist with aspects of gender affirmation. This may include official name and gender changes, necessary health assessments and other gender affirming supports.

The fund recognises that trans and gender diverse people experience multiple disadvantages in our communities and may benefit from additional support to assist with their gender affirmation.

All donations go towards directly supporting members of Tasmania’s trans, non-binary and gender diverse community.

For more information on WIO's Affirmation Fund:
https://www.workingitout.org.au/for-community/

To apply for gender affirming support (up to $400 per annum) from Working It Out’s Gender Affirmation Fund write to [email protected] or call 62311200.

You must be over 18 to access this fund.

Gender affirming care saves lives.
https://equalityaustralia.org.au/gender-affirming-care.../