The Welcome Here Project
The Welcome Here Project is the new Safe Place Project. The Safe Place Project started in 1998 in response to high levels of street based violence directed at Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) people.
Local businesses signed up to become a 'Safe Place' by putting a sticker in their shop front to let LGBTIQ community members know they could seek refuge if they were under the threat of violence. As times have changed street based violence has reduced, but there is still work to be done in this space.
The Welcome Here Project has been created to focus on supporting local business owners / organisations in Australia to create and promote environments that are visibly welcoming and inclusive of LGBTIQ people. The Welcome Here Project is targeted at businesses like local cafes, supermarkets, bars, restaurants, gyms, theatres and cinemas etc. Members of the project (registered Welcoming Places) receive a sticker to display in their window to let everyone know that LGBTIQ diversity is welcomed and celebrated within their business. Registered Welcoming Places also display a charter that brings to life their commitment to the project, and what being a member is all about.
The Welcome Here Project also aims to mobilise the LGBTIQ community to engage with registered Welcoming Places and provide feedback on their experiences. Visible, welcomed LGBTIQ communities mean safer communities, and by becoming a registered Welcoming Place, members are helping create positive social change throughout Australia.
The Welcome Here Project - where LGBTIQ diversity is celebrated.
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