Decision details

Moved by Councillor Ellsmore, seconded by Councillor Worling –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note that the City of Sydney currently funds a wide range of LGBTIQA+ organisations, programs and events, and support initiatives such as Wear it Purple, Trans Day of Visibility, Rainbow story time and other library events;

(B)        Council reaffirms its commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ inclusive events to be held in the City of Sydney Local Government Area and Council venues, including Trans and Gender Diverse Swim Days and Drag Story Time;

(C)        Council note that LGBTIQA+ community members, LGBTIQA+ organisations and allies have historically - and continue to – provide important support for these events when they are subject to homophobic and transphobic commentary, threats or organised protests, including through safety training;

(D)        Council note that following the Lord Mayor’s LGBTIQA+ Safety Summit held in February 2024, the Council requested that the Chief Executive Officer investigate and report back to Council on opportunities for Council to support community-led initiatives which keep LGBTIQA+ people safe and supported;

(E)        Council note that:

(i)           an example of a community-led initiative is the Rainbow Community Angels. The Rainbow Community Angels is an LGBTIQA+ community-led safety initiative that trains and supports LGBTIQA+ people and allies to take part in community events, to ensure those events remain safe and inclusive for LGBTQIA+ people, families, friends, allies and the wider community;

(ii)         Rainbow Community Angels was founded in Victoria in response to the increased anti-trans and queer-phobic attacks that increased particularly during and post-pandemic, including attacks targeting events like Drag Story Time;

(iii)        the Rainbow Community Angels:

(a)         offer their presence (and the presence of trained volunteers) to councils, libraries, cafes and others organising LGBTIQA+ events and activities;

(b)         provide training and practical advice for community members, council staff and others about how to constructively respond to threats against LGBTQIA+ community events, with an emphasis on inclusion, de-escalation and fun; 

(c)         otherwise work with councils, community members and event staff to increase event safety, including to provide safe passage to ensure people can participate in planned LGBTQIA+ events;

(iv)        Rainbow Community Angels have offered to collaborate with the City of Sydney and Inner West Councils to pilot a community safety training program, based on what has worked in Victoria, to train community members in strategies to support LGBTIQA+ events; and

(v)         the Inner West Council recently resolved to investigate opportunities to work with the Rainbow Community Angels, other relevant organisations, and other councils including the City of Sydney, to initiatives to develop and strengthen LGBTIQA+ community safety; and

(F)        consistent with the unanimous resolution of 19 February 2024 arising from the LGBTIQA+ Safety Summit, the Chief Executive Officer be requested to meet with Rainbow Community Angels, other relevant organisations, and other councils including Inner West Council, to discuss opportunities to support or deliver LGBTQIA+ community-led safety training, and report back to Council. 

Carried unanimously.

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