Designed to document changes to wellbeing in a changing social world, Queer Generations will involve LGBT people born in the 1970s and 1990s. Field work will research an urban and regional site in each of Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia.
Monash University associate professor Mary Lou Rasmussen said Kyneton and the Macedon Ranges had been selected because of the community’s long-term advocacy for LGBT rights.
‘‘Kyneton has been doing work in this field for a long time through things like the [Cobaw Community Health’s] WayOut program for LGBT young people,’’ she said. ‘‘We want to see what effect these programs have had, talking to those who have been involved, and finding out what it’s meant to them.’’
Ms Rasmussen said the study would help governments, councils and organisations like Cobaw finetune services. Event organisers, schools, families and even employers will also be able to gain insight into LGBT experiences.
‘‘We often hear that young LGBT people have a particular experience, but there’s not a lot of evidence,’’ Ms Rasmussen said. ‘‘We’re trying to collect that data from these two generations to track how their experience has changed.
“Are workplaces more LGBT friendly than they were 20 years ago? … We’re hoping the study will have an impact across an array of different areas.’’ Ms Rasmussen said the study would also look at the health outcomes of those born in the 1990s and those born shortly after homosexuality was decriminalised.
Focus groups will begin meeting in the next few months, with a final report expected in 2018.
The study has been welcomed by Cobaw chief executive Margaret McDonald, who said recent debate over the Safe Schools program was threatening gains made over 20 years.
‘‘The sad thing is we are still seeing some of the highest rates of suicide.’’
Volunteers are still needed – email alyce.vella@monash.edu.au.
Life Line: 13 11 14
