LGBTIQA+ Stand for Council
While there have been real advances in the rights of the LGBTIQA+ community over the last decade, LGBTIQA+ people continue to face significant barriers to civic participation. Rainbow Local Government research shows only 1.6% of Victorian councillors identified as LGBTIQA+ before the 2020 election. This rose to nearly 5% after the 2020 election, however LGBTIQA+ councillors and community members still face discrimination, exclusion, and harassment.
Councils can lead the development of inclusive, accessible and welcoming places, spaces, services and programs to enhance representation and participation from diverse groups, including from LGBTIQA+ communities.
LGBTIQA+ Stand For Council - Candidate Information Session
MAV in partnership with Rainbow Local Government will be hosting a special session of our Stand for Council program for people from LGBTIQA+ communities on Monday 19 August from 5:45pm for a 6:00pm start, ending around 8:15pm at the Victorian Pride Centre, 79/81 Fitzroy St, St Kilda or online.
You are warmly welcomed to come along, hear from members of the community and ex-councillors, and meet and connect with other potential candidates.
Please note this session is now a hybrid session (In-person and Online).
Our Keynote Speaker
Rodney Croome AM
A champion of LGBTIQA+ rights in Australia, Rodney led the successful campaign to decriminalise homosexuality in Tasmania and was a founder and national director of Australian Marriage Equality. Rodney has spent the past 30 years campaigning for decriminalisation, anti-discrimination protections, and the recognition of same-sex relationships and families. He has also worked tirelessly to end discrimination and improve educational and health outcomes for LGBTIQA+ people, particularly those in rural and regional communities.
Our Panel
Steph Amir
Steph Amir was elected to Darebin Council in 2016, as Darebin’s first openly queer councillor. While on council she made headlines for her LGBTIQA+ advocacy and inclusion initiatives. Steph was also the program manager for Pathways to Politics, a program for aspiring women politicians. She now works in government and occasionally as a writer, publishing her debut poetry collection, Pieces That Fit last year.
Jan Farrell
Jan Farrell is a former Councillor at Greater Geelong City Council. She played an integral role in engaging councils across the nation in the campaign for marriage equality and was the Campaign Director for Fiona Patten's Reason party in the 2018 state election. Jan is now Co-Convenor of the Rainbow Local Government campaign, which supports LGBTIQA+ candidates in the Victorian local government elections and has successfully campaigned for councils across the country to become more engaged with their local LGBTIQA+ communities.
Steve Staikos
Steve Staikos is the State Secretary of the Victorian Branch of the Labor Party, having been appointed to the role in May 2024. Having previously served on the ALP's LGBTI Affairs Policy Committee and as a former Co-Convener of Rainbow Labor Victoria, Steve has contributed to Labor's policy development in this important policy area. Steve also served his local community as a local government Councillor at the City of Kingston for almost 16 years, including four terms as Mayor, his time on council was defined by a dedication to public service and social justice.
