Social and Support Groups for Young People
Bendigo - Equality, Participation, Inclusion and Celebration (B-EPIC)
B-EPIC is a youth driven group that aims to raise awareness in the community about sexual and gender diversity. They value friendship, acceptance, security and open mindedness. They welcome all young people aged 16 – 25 who are concerned about the negative effects of homophobia and transphobia, irrespective of whether they are gay, straight, bi or not sure. They meet once a week for work and fun stuff like developing merchandise, planning talks to schools and going to events.
B-EPIC’s involvement as a partner includes:
• Development of a Play Safe Policy
• Distribution of safe sex packs at B-EPIC events and activities
• Development of a Play Safe Policy
• Distribution of safe sex packs at B-EPIC events and activities
GASP
GASP is a social and support service for young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning their sexuality. The group offers young people a chance to meet other young people who might be experiencing the same things. It runs throughout the year and has benefited many young people.
Young people interested in this group can contact Jami Jones directly to arrange a meeting time on 5272 4977.
GASP’s involvement as a partner includes:
• Development of a Play Safe Policy
• Distribution of safe sex packs at GASP events and activities
• Development of a magazine for young people which included sexual health information and a safe pack
OUTthere, Rural Victorian Youth Council for Sexual Diversity
The OUTthere Council aims to raise awareness, advocate and provide information and resources to communities, youth services, schools and government departments about issues facing same sex attracted young people in rural Victoria.
OUTthere’s involvement as a partner includes:
• Development of a Play Safe Policy
• Distribution of safe sex packs at OUTthere events and activities
• Formation of a working party for sexual health
• Development of a Play Safe Policy
• Distribution of safe sex packs at OUTthere events and activities
• Formation of a working party for sexual health
WayOut
The WayOut Project works across rural Victoria to provide support to partner projects, youth services and schools. WayOut does this in a number of ways including organising rural statewide initiatives for Same Sex Attracted (SSA) youth, representing and advocating for rural SSA youth, youth groups and their supporting agencies, and responding to requests from organisations and schools for resources and training.
WayOut’s involvement as a partner includes:
• Development of a Play Safe Policy
• Distribution of safe sex packs at WayOut events and activities
• Development of a Play Safe Policy
• Distribution of safe sex packs at WayOut events and activities
Visit the WayOut website
Whatever
Whatever meets regularly and provides a range of different activites, such as Guest Speakers, Recreational Activities, linking in with same sex attracted youth activities in other areas and developing projects to challenge homophobia in the Latrobe Valley Community
Whatever's involvement as a partner includes:
• Development of a Play Safe Policy
• Distribution of safe sex packs at Whatever events and activities
• Involvment in making sexual health showbags for young people that are sexuality and gender inclusive
• Development of a Play Safe Policy
• Distribution of safe sex packs at Whatever events and activities
• Involvment in making sexual health showbags for young people that are sexuality and gender inclusive
ZAQUE
Zaque is a Same Sex Attracted youth group for the Ballarat and surrounding areas. Zaque is a social networking group that provides a safe and welcoming place for all SSA youth.
Zaque meets on a weekly basis at YHQ. Zaque holds a community meeting fortnightly and try to do an activity or fun event on the other weeks. The meetings are held between 4pm and 6pm.
Check out ZAQUE online here or Facebook or contact Ash McNeight, Same Sex Attracted Youth Project Officer for more information on 03 5320 5644 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Check out ZAQUE online here or Facebook or contact Ash McNeight, Same Sex Attracted Youth Project Officer for more information on 03 5320 5644 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Zaque's involvement as a partner includes:
• Development of a Play Safe Policy
• Huge commitment to World AIDS Day
• Huge commitment to World AIDS Day
• Making efforts to keep all their members informed and up to date with relevant sexual health information
