Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society

Have you registered for our symposium on people’s understandings of risk, harm reduction, pleasure and health in s*xual and drug use practices?

This Tuesday, August 25, 2-5pm - join us at La Trobe’s City Campus for a catered event, or watch online via Zoom.

https://www.latrobe.edu.au/events/all/ways-of-knowing,-ways-of-living/

With speakers from ARCSHS, Thorne Harbour Health, and guest speaker Dr Kiran Pienaar.

Our staff member and recent graduate Dr Percy Gurtler recently co-authored a new resource through the @‌Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) based on research conducted at ARCSHS for their PhD.

This resource explores some of the many different ways conversion practices can look for LGBTIQA+ people, as well as exploring legal, cultural and practical aspects of conversion practices.

https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/resources/loving-your-child-when-they-are-different/

DETAILS UPDATED:
Is your workplace looking to improve LGBTIQA+ inclusion? Join us for a Rainbow Tick info session!

Find out how your organisation can begin your Rainbow Tick journey, or just improve your LGBTIQA+ inclusive practice.

Register for a one-hour info session with the Rainbow Tick team now:

Thursday September 3, 11am-12pm
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/events/all/rainbow-tick-information-session5

Get answers to all your questions on training, accreditation processes, supports and best practice!

Aug 26, 1pm - Webinar: Optimise+ and the national mapping of LGBTQ+ community-controlled mental health and AOD services

This webinar, hosted by LGBTIQ+ Health Australia and featuring Dr Jack Farrugia of The Kids Research Institute Australia and ARCSHS' Prof Adam Bourne, will launch new community resources and findings from Optimise+ on LGBTQ+ mental health and alcohol and other drug services in Australia, on the current service landscape, and ways to support policy, planning, funding and service integration.

Register now:
Free for staff, volunteers and delegates of LGBTIQ+ Health Australia member orgs
https://www.lgbtiqhealth.org.au/webinar_optimise_national_mapping_of_lgbtq_community-controlled_services_20260826

$20 non-members
https://www.lgbtiqhealth.org.au/webinar-nm_webinar_optimise_national_mapping_of_lgbtq_community-controlled_services_20260826

Bis*xual health webinar: Join UNSW's Kirby Institute on 26 August, 6pm, for a launch webinar exploring findings from the BiSHH Study!

https://events.humanitix.com/community-conversations-the-bi-s*xual-health-and-hiv-study

Led by the Kirby Institute at UNSW, in collaboration with ARCSHS, BiSHH is the first national survey of s*x, health and relationships specifically for the bi+ community in Australia.

You can also read the press release:

https://www.kirby.unsw.edu.au/news/australias-first-study-bi-peoples-s*xual-health-uncovers-critical-gaps

Review key findings:

https://www.kirby.unsw.edu.au/research/reports/understanding-s*x-health-and-relationships-among-bi-people-australia

and download the report:

https://www.kirby.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/documents/BiSHH_2024-2025_Report.pdf

As beauty and anti-ageing treatments are increasingly framed as about health and wellbeing, and the boundaries between health and beauty are more blurred than ever, how do we manage the ethics of vampire facials, collagen banking, cadaver fat or salmon s***m injections?

A new piece from Dr Renae Fomiatti - and a discussion with Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens this week on ABC Radio National s The Minefield - explores the complex modern relationship between wellness, self-care, ageing and aesthetics.

https://www.abc.net.au/religion/healthism-ethical-boundaries-improvement-of-our-bodies/107029582

Join us for an afternoon symposium examining how risk, harm reduction, pleasure and health are understood, learned and communicated (both formally and informally) and incorporated into s*xual and drug-use practices.

Ways of knowing, ways of living: Learning, knowledge and experience in s*xual practice, drug consumption and health promotion

Tuesday August 25, 2-5pm
La Trobe City Campus / online via Zoom

Register now:
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/events/all/ways-of-knowing,-ways-of-living/

With speakers from ARCSHS, Thorne Harbour Health , and guest speaker Dr Kiran Pienaar.

The 2026 Australian Census will include questions for anyone aged 16+ on s*xuality and gender. What do the options mean, and how should LGBTQA+ folks answer them?

In The Conversation Australia + NZ, Dr Ruby Grant and Prof Adam Bourne tackle items like the lack of obligation to ‘come out’ to family or housemates, of bis*xual/multi-gender-attracted folks in long-term heteros*xual partnerships, as well as tips for carers, parents and others filling out the census on behalf of someone else, and more.

https://theconversation.com/the-census-will-ask-about-your-s*xual-orientation-what-should-you-write-289136

We're seeking a National Project Manager for operational leadership of our new national program!

You’ll be in charge of embedding sustainable, evidence-based change through accreditation, workforce development, and strategic stakeholder engagement, delivering training, developing resources and supporting primary care providers to achieve LGBTQIA+ accreditation.

Read the position description:
https://careers.pageuppeople.com/533/caw/en/job/570728/national-project-manager

We’re incredibly proud to announce a new $10m project, funded by the Australian Government, bringing together ARCSHS, ACON, Thorne Harbour Health, Rainbow Health Australia and innovation partner Portable to allow LGBTIQA+ Australians to find healthcare that is safe, respectful and inclusive.

The project will help LGBTIQA+ Australians find trusted care closer to home, as well as supporting GPs and other primary care providers to deliver culturally safe and inclusive care in their local communities.

This investment makes it more likely that LGBTIQA+ Australians will use preventative health care, have better health outcomes and create a stronger primary care system for all Australians.

Find out more about the project: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2026/release/$10m-initiative-to-improve-lgbtiqa-healthcare/