We believe everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and safe. Our advocacy is grounded in community, equity, and the fight for better health outcomes for all.
Our most recent systemic advocacy work includes:
| Date | Type (letter, media release, informing policy) | Issue addressed |
|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | Collective action led by Rainbow Futures | WAAC joins LGBTIQA+ groups to call on WA government to reject Cass Review |
| June 2024 | The CEO co-authored an opinion piece in The West Australian in relation to legal loopholes allowing faith-based schools to discriminate based on gender and sexuality: Bedding and Vujcich. Faith doesn’t exclude; it invites. The West Australian. 20 June 2024: https://thewest.com.au/opinion/chris-bedding-daniel-vujcich-faith-doesnt-exclude-it-invites–c-15048858 | LGBTIQA+ discrimination in faith-based schools |
| July 2024 | The CEO presented at the launch of Changing the Landscape, a national campaign calling for better suicide prevention services for LGBTIQA+SB people across Australia, and WAAC becomes signatory | Suicide prevention in the LGBTIQA+SB community |
| September 2024 to present | WAAC CEO has served as a member of the Rainbow Futures Ending Conversion Practices Working Group | Ending conversion practices in WA. |
| November 2024 | WAAC was a signatory on an LGBTIQA+ homelessness submission to Government, led by PICYS | LGBTIQA+ homelessness |
| October 2024 | Submission of health promotion messaging in the WA Police Union 2025 diary | Combating misunderstandings around HIV and spitting transmission risk |
| October 2024 | Policy submission drafted by WAAC, with endorsement of POWA, NAPWHA and HALC (copy sent to DoH on 30/10) | Review of the Health and Disability Services (Complaints) Act 1995 in relation to disclosure of HIV status by health professionals |
| October 2024 | Letter of support for HALC | WAAC provided a letter of support for funding to support HIV disclosure guide updates |
| November 2024 | WAAC provided input in drafting of Health Equity Matters Federal election survey | HIV criminal law and migration law reforms, HIV testing options, subsidised access to long-acting injectable PrEP, medication copayments |
| November 2024 | WAAC made a submission to the Mental Health Commission regarding the development of a new Suicide Prevention Framework for Western Australia, and the need to include LGBTIQA+ youth services | LGBTIQA+ suicide prevention |
| December 2024 | WAAC meeting with WA Senator Varun Ghosh | Discussed HIV migration reforms, specifically around cost threshold |
| December 2024 | WAAC requested Health Equity Matters to ensure that places are reserved for WA PLHIV | PBAC compassionate access scheme for long-acting cabotegravir (100 places) |
| December 2024 | WAAC convened a working group comprising representatives from POWA, Health Equity Matters, and NAPWHA | Nurse at FSH brought to WAAC’s attention discriminatory and outdated policies for pilots with HIV |
| Various | Emails to Director of Public Prosecutions | Prosecutorial guidelines relating to HIV and the Criminal Code |
| December 2024 | Meeting with Minister for Education | HIV, sexual health stigma, discrimination and awareness |
| March 2025 | Consultation with North Metro Health Youth Mental Health to include the needs of LGBTIQA+ young people in their next strategy. | LGBTIQA+ youth mental health |
| March 2025 to present | WAAC CEO has served as a member of the working group to develop a sector-wide WA LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy Survey to inform strategy development | Ensuring LGBTIQA+ needs and wellbeing are prioritized across government sectors |
| April 2025 | Consultation with Living Proud to increase LGBTIQA+ needs and visibility in the MHC’s next Suicide Prevention Framework | LGBTIQA+ suicide prevention |