The launch of the We Are the Rainbow Framework today at Parliament House has spotlighted the need for increased funding to support LGBTQIA+ human rights and inclusion. This event, hosted by Senator Mehreen Faruqi and Lisa Chesters MP, highlighted the framework’s potential to drive meaningful change and pinpoint where additional funding can have a substantial impact.

Developed through extensive consultations with LGBTQIA+ organisations across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as international child protection agencies and development organisations, the We Are the Rainbow Framework is a vital tool for supporting and protecting LGBTQIA+ youth. It offers essential strategies for safeguarding their rights and protecting their wellbeing amidst discriminatory laws, family rejection and bullying in schools.

The launch of the framework, hosted by the Australian Parliamentary Group on Population and Development in collaboration with Many Coloured Sky, an LGBTQIA+ organisation dedicated to empowering communities, and the Australian Council for International Development, is especially timely given the current challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.

These challenges include shrinking civil spaces and legal regressions in some countries. Of the 61 countries worldwide with national laws criminalising lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, 26 are in the Asia-Pacific region. These issues heighten the risks faced by LGBTIQA+ people and underscore the urgent need for targeted funding.

“By addressing the unique challenges faced by these young people through culturally sensitive and impactful strategies, we are not only safeguarding their rights but also empowering them to thrive in environments that respect and uphold their dignity.

The framework’s launch underscores the urgent need for increased funding to extend these vital efforts and create safe spaces across the Asia-Pacific region” said Many Coloured Sky Executive Director, Ian Seal.

“Through our work, we’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact of programs in creating safe spaces for LGBTIQA+ youth and the crucial role education plays in fostering acceptance and understanding. Stories of parents vocalising their support after just a few sessions on LGBTQIA experiences and supporting youth. This kind of family support can be truly transformative and have lifelong impacts” explained Ian Seal.

“Ensuring the protection and promotion of LGBTQIA+ rights should be a critical international human rights focus for both Australia and the global community,” stated ACFID’s Policy and Government Relations Lead, Dr Alex Edney-Browne.

The Australian Council for International Development is advocating for a significant boost to the Inclusion and Equality Fund to address growing needs and support life-saving programs. This increase will enable local civil society organisations to tackle LGBTQIA+ issues effectively and provide essential support within their communities.

“In ACFID’s submission to the Australian Government’s LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Engagement Strategy, we advocated for an increase in Australia’s Inclusion and Equality Fund to $15 million annually. This funding is essential for supporting human rights defenders and civil society organisations on the frontlines of advancing LGBTQIA+ rights and equality.”

“Currently, the fund stands at $3.5 million per year, which is substantially lower than our Canadian and UK counterparts. Given the escalating attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights in our near region this is insufficient.” said Dr Edney-Browne.

The framework’s launch serves as a timely reminder of the critical role that targeted funding plays in supporting and protecting LGBTQIA+ youth amid a shrinking civil space and legal regression in the region.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Lisa Tadrosse at 0401 721 064 or at [email protected]