Hannah Hammoud
The endorsement of the draft Brimbank LGBTQIA+ Action Plan was overshadowed by an unruly public gallery at a council meeting on June 20.
On multiple occasions, Brimbank mayor Bruce Lancashire asked members seated in the gallery to remain quiet.
Words of “grooming”, “evil” and “paedophiles” were shouted across the meeting room as upset members of the public contested the action plan.
As the gallery continued to grow out of control, the council meeting was adjourned for 15 minutes to allow security to escort disruptive residents out.
The meeting recommenced in a much quieter fashion, with the draft LGBTQIA+ Action Plan endorsed unanimously by the council.
The LGBTQIA+ Action Plan contains a series of strategic actions that will be implemented to ensure the Brimbank LGBTQIA+ community feel included, empowered, safe and supported.
Through community consultation, there were four key focus areas that were identified to inform a range of strategic actions, which included providing opportunities to celebrate, engage with and reflect on the LGBTQIA+ community through events such as the Midsumma Festival and IDAHOBIT Day.
Cr Jasmine Nguyen said she was proud to see the action plan presented to council.
“I’m quite proud that our council is trying to be as inclusive as they can to our community,” she said.
“I think council has come a long way to get to this point of establishing an action plan and I think we really are dedicated to doing real action about helping people within our communities, including minorities.
“Everybody is entitled to their opinions and they can provide it in the consultation process, but we want to do this in the most respectful way possible.”
The draft LGBTQIA+ Action Plan will commence a four week period of public consultation which will include, online engagement through the Your Say – Brimbank Community Voice portal and targeted engagement activities with key LGBTQIA+ communities and organisations and local Brimbank services.
