Studies show that LGBT people with disability experience harassment, verbal abuse, physical violence, neglect and sexual assault at higher rates than LGBT people without disability.
LGBTQ people with disability commonly report feeling isolated and ostracised from both the LGBTQ and disability communities.
So, how do we begin to address these issues?
We are excited to be welcoming key LGBTQ+ Disability Advocates, including AMY CORCORAN, WILLIAM WARD BOAS and AMBERLY HENSEN to explore your questions, including:
• What Is LGBTQ+ Disability Advocacy and why is it important?
• What are some of the barriers this advocacy tries to overcome?
• How Does LGBTQ+ Disability Advocacy relate to the Mental health system and suicide prevention?
• How Are LGBTQ+ Disability Advocates creating change in mental health systems and suicide prevention?
• Can connecting with our community help us break down the barriers we face?
When? Tuesday, 1st October at 1:00 - 2:00 pm (AEST)
Register? PLEASE REGISTER VIA ZOOM HERE
We welcome you to join us for a conversation with...
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Amy Corcoran (she/her) |
Amy (she/her) is a lived experience worker, priding herself on making meaningful connections with others, working to reduce stigma in the community and provide a sense of hope. Amy has studied psychology, worked as a peer support worker and mental health advocate. Amy recently worked with LivingWorks Australia as a Trainer in Victoria, delivering suicide intervention and awareness training to the community. In 2021, Amy filmed a video for the Time to Talk campaign with the Victorian Government. Amy continues to work with Roses in the Ocean as part of their Lived Experience Advisory Group. Amy was previously a Peer Practitioner with Aftercare, a service for those with suicide thoughts or intent, offers recovery-focused, short-term practical outreach and counselling-based support to help the LGBTQIA+ community find inclusive and affirming care and strategies for moving forward. Amy is passionate about mental health, public speaking, hearing people's voices, creating change, connection and teamwork. |
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William Ward Boas (he/him) |
William Ward-Boas (he/him) is a person with disability that started working in the disability sector 6 years ago. William uses his experience to support broader understanding of the disability sector and to empower the voices and rights of others. He started this journey through meeting VALID, participating in paid workshops, then being connected onto the Disability Services Commissioner, and working with them as a community researcher for the “Safe and Respectful Cultures in the Workplace” Project. He then went on to YDAS for the “Youth Leadership Program”, went on to do an evaluation with a consultation service called ARTDConsultants. William loves this work and plans to stay in this sector for the rest of his life. |
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Amberly Hensen (she/her) |
Amberly Hensen (she/her) is a gender diverse and neurodivergent consumer advocate. Her work strives for better mental health supports for LGBTIQA+ neurodivergent and disabled consumers. She is currently a member of the Peer Expert Advisory Group for the MindOut mental health and suicide prevention program at LGBTIQ+ Health Australia and a member of Stonnington Councils LGBTIQA Advisory board. Through lived experience, Amberly understands the mental health impacts of marginalization and aims to uplift intersectional communities wherever possible. Amberly is also the founder and project lead at translate - an arts project that aims to uplift the voices and lived experience of queer disabled Australian artists and advocates. |
