One step closer for the voice of LGBTIQA+

by Sahar Foladi

After years of talks, an LGBTIQA+ advisory committee has finally received the green light from Greater Dandenong Council.

At a Council meeting on Monday 8 July, Councillor Rhonda Garad moved to establish a committee to better support the LGBTIQA+ community in the City of Greater Dandenong.

Phillip, who identifies as gay and has lived in the Greater Dandenong area for 18 years, is a continual advocate for LGBTIQA+ voices to be recognised.

“I think it has taken too long, but it is a step in the right direction. There is progress.”

“We just want equality, we want to feel safe in our homes.”

Phillip has been spat on, asked to leave restaurants/shops for holding his partner’s hand, and had a glass bottle hit him on the head by a stranger on the streets of Dandenong on a Sunday afternoon.

“People come to Dandenong to escape persecution in their own countries. I should not be persecuted in my own country for being who I am.”

Councillor Tim Dark told of a Greater Dandenong resident who knew 34 people from the LGBTIQA+ community who had committed suicide or been hospitalised for self-harm, many of whom were from Greater Dandenong.

“This is a major concern. It is a significant problem that is not being addressed,” Cr Dark said.

“That is why this measure must be carried out before someone harms themselves or commits suicide.”

Cr Dark said he was speechless at the council’s inaction in establishing the committee’s rules of procedure – a task that was started in February.

“That’s ridiculous.

“Since February 2024, people have been asking the question, why are we not at a point where we need to move forward?”

Marjan Hajjari, Council’s Strategic Growth and Advocacy Manager, confirmed that draft rules could be presented by the next Council meeting on 22 July.

Councillor Garad says the establishment of the advisory committee was already four years overdue.

“We say on our website that we advise, represent and advocate interests, but we have no mechanism for

“For four years it has been a farce of consultation, a farce of representation. We have let the community down, I have let the community down by accepting the delay.

“I refuse to end this (council) legislative period without seeing that an advisory committee has begun its work.”

In a national referendum in 2017, 53.1 percent of Bruce’s federal voters voted against same-sex marriage.

The suburbs at that time included Dandenong North, Noble Park North and parts of Dandenong, Noble Park and Springvale.

Bruce was one of only two constituencies in Greater Melbourne where the majority voted no.

Phillipp’s consistent asking of questions during the council’s public question time has earned him recognition for leading discussions on LGBTIQA+ issues and problems within the community.

Last year, the Victoria Pride Lobby launched a 301-signature petition calling for Greater Dandenong to establish an LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee.

“Seven years later (after the vote on same-sex marriage) they are finally doing something, despite being pressured to do so.”

He also praised councillors Garad and Dark for their understanding of the “plight and struggles of the LGBTIQA+ community”.