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Saturday Magazine

25 Aug 2024

Saturday 24th August,2024: Joe Ball, New Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities

Current Affairs, Interview, Joy, Joy 94.9, Media, News & Politics, Podcast, Society & Culture

Saturday 24th August,2024: Joe Ball, New Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities

Joy’s own Elliot Attard, interviews Joe Ball, New Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities.

Joe Ball has an extensive history of advocating for the rights of LGBTIQA+ young people, making him uniquely placed to uplift their voices in his role. During Joe’s time as CEO of Switchboard Victoria,  he oversaw the creation of the Rainbow Door helpline for family violence and mental health support, and the creation of CHARLEE, an LGBTIQA+ Suicide Prevention Hub.

At a time of rising discrimination against transgender, gender diverse and non-binary young Victorians, it is incredibly important to have positive representation of LGBTIQA+ communities and to showcase their strengths. Joe is a proud transgender man and tireless advocate for the lived experience of LGBTIQA+ communities informing policies and programs in Victoria.

He is a current member of the National LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing 10-year Action Plan Expert Advisory Group and was honoured as one of 50 Outstanding LGBTI+ Australian Leaders in 2020.

Mr Ball has served as a member of several leading community services committees and boards including Safe and Equal, the 1800 RESPECT community advisory committee, the Victorian LGBTIQA+ Taskforce, the Victorian Family Violence Reform Advisory Group and the National Suicide Prevention Governance Committee.

Mr. Ball will commence in the role on 23 September. The Labor Government was the first in Australia to appoint a Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities in 2015, with Ro Allen’s appointment, followed by Dr Todd Fernando.

The Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities provides a strong voice for diverse LGBTIQA+ communities across the state, working with the Government to implement Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ strategy 2022-2032 – a roadmap to ensure all Victorians feel safe, have equal human rights and live wholly and freely.

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