PrideFEST 2019 has officially begun, with this year marking three decades since a demonstration of more than 300 people on the steps of State Parliament led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Western Australia.
From that historic event, Pride WA was born and one year later Perth celebrated with its first Pride Parade.
Now a month-long festival of arts, culture and community events, PrideFest was kickstarted by Fairday last weekend, with more than 100 stalls in Hyde Park showcasing a variety of community and businesses.
WA Primary Health Alliance, celebrating its second year as a supporting partner of the festival, was there to discuss and get feedback on its initiatives to promote LGBTI friendly healthcare.
WA Primary Health Alliance CEO, Learne Durrington, said the organisation’s vision of equitable outcomes for all Western Australians, means it has an important leadership role to advocate for safe, inclusive and culturally appropriate services for LGBTI people.
“That’s why on Saturday, our staff were handing out pronoun cards to encourage gender diverse people to mention how they would like to be addressed when they visit a GP,” she said.
“Staff were also promoting the benefits of starting a conversation with general practice staff about cervical screening, which is a vital part of LGBTI health.”
People who visited the stall were also encouraged to express what this year’s theme, Reflect: Heroes, Community, Identity and Love, meant to them personally.
In 2018, WA Primary Health Alliance commenced its journey towards achieving Rainbow Tick accreditation, which involves meeting the six national standards of LGBTI inclusive practice.
The Rainbow Tick signals that an organisation has reached a high standard of diversity and inclusiveness.