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This report represents the first rural state-wide review of the experiences of one minority group of young people in accessing events funded under the Victorian Government’s FreeZA Program.  The report has been prepared by the OUTthere, Rural Victorian Youth Council for Sexual Diversity. The aim of this report is to share both the positive and negative examples of the work that has occurred.  It includes a summary of the research concerning the health and wellbeing of same sex attracted and transgender young people and the documented links between experiences of discrimination and poor health outcomes. The academic evidence also clearly shows that social inclusion and freedom from discrimination are major determinants of good mental health.

As a result of young people working together, many fantastic strategies for promoting inclusive FreeZA events are cited in this report.  However these initiatives have occurred as the result of locally based and sometimes, isolated efforts and goodwill.  There is enormous potential for all FreeZA funded committees across the state to learn from and implement this work and the report concludes with a series of recommendations on how this could occur.  These recommendations are made to the Victorian Government in the spirit of further supporting its already demonstrable commitment to the promotion of respect and diversity for all people in our State.

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