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.
X086659