LGBTIQA+ people are more likely to experience poorer social, physical and mental health outcomes and experience substantial barriers to accessing health and social care services. At Adelaide PHN, we acknowledge our responsibility in contributing to the commissioning of LGBTIQA+ friendly services to address these health inequalities.

We also assertively strive to create a safe and inclusive workplace. In 2021, Adelaide PHN created an internal Rainbow Working Group (RWG), to lead the planning and implementation of innovative strategies to support Adelaide PHN to be industry leaders in lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse and intersex and queer/questioning inclusivity.

Our priorities

Initially

• To inform strategy, functionality, and activities of Adelaide PHN in respect to LGBTIQA+ inclusion

• To embed LGBTIQA+ inclusive practice within our organisational workplace policies, practices and systems

Longer term

• To achieve Rainbow Tick Accreditation

• To support LGBTIQA+ people to have better health and wellbeing outcomes and to improve their access to and experience of primary care

Achievements

To support our employees, Board and committees to increase inclusivity and celebrate LGBTIQA+ diversity, we:

• Established our RWG, responsible for cultural leadership and quality improvement across the Adelaide PHN.

• Developed and implemented our first Rainbow Working Group Action Plan, aiming to embed LGBTIQA+ inclusive strategies and practices across the organisation.

• Introduced the use of pronouns within our workplace, including on email signatures, lanyards, HRIS and in recruitment and onboarding.

• Completed the How2 LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Training presented by SHINE SA via two workplace representatives.

• Completed a site audit at Adelaide PHN for LGBTIQA+ inclusivity

• Completed an internal audit of the six Rainbow Tick Standards that will inform the next six-12 month RWG action plan.

• Provided all of our people with training to support a shared understanding of LGBTIQA+ history, language and health needs.

• Became a member of the Diversity Council Australia, the independent not-for-profit peak body leading diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

• Celebrate dates of significance to raise awareness, including:

• IDAHOBIT – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia & Transphobia. This day celebrates LGBTQIA+ people globally and raises awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination.

• Wear it Purple Day – an annual LGBTIQA+ awareness day especially for young people, based in Australia. Supporters wear purple to celebrate diversity and young people from the LGBTIQA+ community.

These achievements would not have been possible without the ongoing support of our leadership and Board, the effort of our Rainbow Working Group and the commitment of all of our people to create a safe and inclusive culture for LGBTIQA+ people.