ALBANY PRIDE is a local group offering peer networking and support for people in Albany (and surrounding regions) who identify as LGBTQIA+, their families and friends, all ages, locals and visitors. We aim to provide a voice for LGBTQIA+ people in the Great Southern and foster local support, acceptance and celebration of minority sexualities and gender identities in our community. ALBANY PRIDE is the only acknowledged local service, support or network for LGBTQIA+ people in the region.

Albany Pride holds various events throughout the year that cater to our local LGBTQIA+ community and their families and friends, as well as for LGBTQIA+ visitors to the region. Since 2016, we have also held an annual Pride Festival, which brings people from all over the state (and beyond) to experience the wonderful surrounding beauty and our vibrant LGBTQIA+ community.

Mission

Albany Pride aims to promote the health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people in Albany and surrounds, providing a safe place that values and celebrates our identity.

Vision

To create a uniquely inclusive community in Albany and surrounds, based on mutual respect and lifelong support. Our LGBTQIA+ community will be valued and respected, and feed safe to be their true selves.

Values

Our work will be guided and informed by our beliefs and commitment to:

• Social Change
• Social Justice
• Inclusivity
• Healing
• Community

Our Key Pillars

Our organisation’s key pillars our communication, support, social action and endurance.

Communication
To ensure our members, stakeholders and community are:
– Informed on what we do, and why we do it;
– Aware of the issues facing our community, and how we advocate on their behalf;
– Able to communicate with Albany Pride, to guide us in what we do, and to ensure our meeting our mission and vision.

Support
Ensuring our community is supported, and feels supported:
– By running our outreach groups throughout the year, to provide social support and networking;
– Being able to support vulnerable demographics within our community, and to work with other organisations to ensure best practice, and an inclusive, intersectional approach;
– Encouraging and promoting community and culture in the region, and promote an inclusive environment to encourage participation;
– Working with other relevant stakeholders for effective and informed delivery of information surrounding LGBTQIA+ health and wellbeing;
– Securing support for our organisation and the work it does.

Social Action
– Developing and delivering education packages that ensure our community is understood, valued and supported in workplaces, institutions, organisations and community groups;
– Promoting and encouraging the visibility of our community within society, and to promote the recognition of the positive contribution our community makes to the greater society;
– Promoting LGBTQIA+ history and culture, so that LGBTQIA+ people can feel proud about their sexuality, gender identity and/or intersex status;
– Promoting participation in our events, festivals and organisational activities so that members of our community feel valued and appreciated;
– Creating meaningful change for our community, so that the future holds less barriers than in their present when it comes to their health and wellbeing;
– Providing a voice on matters relating to our community, to ensure an accurate representation of, and response to, these issues;

Endurance
– Ensuring our organisation is sustainable and able to continue into the future;
– Providing opportunities for professional development for members of the Committee of Management (COM);
– Ensuring good governance and management of the organisation;
– Ensuring strong succession planning for COM positions;
– Securing ongoing funding and long-term financial management.