Finding Pride

Physical Space

Participants for Finding Pride are asked to attend 7 sessions over 8 weeks. Each session goes for 1.5 hours.

Finding Pride will be run online (Zoom) or on-campus (Bundoora) depending on COVID-19 requirements. Further information will be released closer to the first group regarding location details.

People usually arrive at the room/login 5-10 minutes before the group begins, so that the group can start on time. In the face-to-face group, you will find a coffee table covered in a rainbow flag and a circle of chairs filled with other students who are queer.

Structure

The group structure will involve some presenting from facilitators, group discussions and different activities.

How we make the group safe and inclusive

• You always have the right to ‘pass’ if you don’t feel like sharing.
• You don’t have to know everything about the LGBTIQA+ community or what every word/ label means. Language in the LGBTIQA+ community is dynamic and evolving and we don’t shame anyone about the language they use or don’t use. We ask that people share what they mean if using different terminology so that everyone is on the same page.
• You’re welcome to ask questions.
• You won’t be judged as ‘not queer enough’ if you’re questioning, bisexual, asexual, currently in a relationship with someone of another sex, or don’t ‘look’ queer.
• Everyone who comes to Finding Pride agrees to abide by our group guidelines, which are developed together as a group in our first session of the program.

At Finding Pride, your information is kept confidential to the high standards of the Counselling Service. Finding Pride staff cannot share any of your information with anyone (including attendance at Finding Pride) unless you explicitly give permission.

There are some limits to confidentiality such as:

• if there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else.
• if we are required legally to disclose to a court, requested by subpoena.
• if you are under age 18 and disclose being currently physically or sexually abused.

After Finding Pride sessions, the facilitators discuss the session with the clear aim of improving the sessions for all members or offering further support. This is kept confidential within Finding Pride staff and the manager of counselling.

Finding Pride is facilitated by the Senior Coordinator of LGBTIQA+ Wellbeing and Counselling and the LGBTIQA+ Programs Peer Worker. The facilitators identify as part of the LGBTIQA+ community and share some of their experiences in the group.

• If you need help with issues that are better addressed in individual counselling, please make an appointment with our Counselling Service. We have dedicated LGBTIQA+ Counsellors, but all counsellors at our service are queer-friendly and ALLY-trained. We also have an after hours phone Crisis Support Line (1300 146 307 or text 0488 884 100).
• We have an ALLY Network of staff and students who have been trained in LGBTIQ+ awareness, and Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria provides ALLY training each year to interested staff and students.
• If you need to talk to someone, QLife is a national LGBTIQ+ helpline and chat service staffed by peers (3.00 pm–12.00 am), and there are other emergency numbers you can call if you are struggling.
• For external queer services and support groups in Victoria, you can search the comprehensive database at Rainbow Network.