R U OK? is calling on members of our LGBTIQ+ communities and their allies to ‘Unite every day, ask R U OK?’.
Everyone goes through tough times in life when we need support and our LGBTIQ+ friends sometimes have to deal with added challenges. An R U OK? conversation can make a difference when someone is struggling and you don’t have to be an expert to show you genuinely care.
Those who are lesbian, gay, bi, trans/transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) and sexuality, gender and bodily diverse might be subject to minority stress, prejudice, discrimination, violence or abuse. These factors mean LGBTIQ+ people can be more likely to experience depression and anxiety and be at risk of self-harm and suicide.
We can all play a role in supporting our friends by being a safe, welcoming space for them to turn to for support and for you to genuinely engage with them in an R U OK? conversation. It is important these conversations happen whenever we spot the signs someone in our world might be struggling.
Our conversation guide contains tips to help you know when and how to have a conversation with someone who may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender, intersex, queer (LGBTIQ+), and other sexuality, gender and bodily diverse people including First Nations brotherboys and sistergirls.
The guide was developed inn consultation with LGBTIQ+ Health Australia.
R U OK? has shared the voices of LGBTIQ+ SB communities
Edwin Fejo is a proud Larrakia person. Edwin is a performer and has a passion for singing. Edwin shares the impact of an R U OK? conversation and how your mob and Elders can be a valuable support network for someone who is struggling.
Crystal Love (She/her) is a mentor to the Sistergirl community of the Tiwi Islands. Crystal shares her own experiences of being transgender and how support and kindness can make all the difference in someone’s journey. Crystal shares how a friend asking ‘are you OK?’ encouraged her to seek support.
Cameron McBroom (He/him) is a Wongatha Yamatji queer man from Kalgoorlie, Western Australia (Wongatha Country). He shares how sporting communities and workplaces can celebrate the diversity of their people.
Edwin Fejo - Larrakia
Crystal Love (she/her)
- Tiwi Islands
Cameron McBroom (he/him) -
Wongatha Yamatji
Exploring your sexuality and discovering your identity is a normal part of growing up.
Everyone’s experience is different, and while it can be an exciting time, it can also spark feelings of confusion and stress, due to instances of prejudice, stigma, and discrimination.
If your friend is exploring their sexuality and/or gender, they might be anxious or fearful of how this might impact their social or romantic relationships, and even their safety. Or maybe they’ve recently come out to you, and you want to make sure they know you love and appreciate them
If you’re wondering what to say and do to support a mate, we’ve got you covered.
Although most lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) Australians live healthy and happy lives, research has shown that a disproportionate number experience poorer mental health outcomes and have higher risk of suicidal behaviours than their peers. These health outcomes are directly related to experiences of stigma, prejudice, discrimination and abuse on the basis of being LGBTIQ+.
According to a 2020 study by LGBTIQ+ Health Australia:
A podcast for the rainbow communities and anyone who wants to lend support to the people in their world
'We Need To Talk' is a podcast about three simple words that can mean the world to someone who's going through tough times: 'are you OK?'
Each episode of 'We Need To Talk' explores a topic that will help you lend support to the people in your world. Experts and people like you share their stories - sometimes confronting but always inspiring you with helpful insights and tips so you can start a conversation that could change a life
QLife is Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender, intersex and/or queer (LGBTIQ+). QLife provides nation-wide, early intervention, peer-supported telephone and web-based services to people of all ages across the full breadth of people’s bodies, genders, relationships, sexualities, and lived experiences.
CALL 1800 184 527 (3pm to midnight AEST)
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