Awareness on LGBTIQA+ communities continues to gain traction

That's a common piece of advice people receive at some stage of their lives.

However, that can be very difficult to do, especially for those in LGBTIQA+ communities who are unsure of their gender or sexuality.

Founder and president of LGBTIQA+ social and support group Diversity Goulburn, Danielle Marsden-Ballard, said once they figure it out, it can be hard to come out to others due to its consequences.

"A lot of people are finding out about [their gender or sexuality] online or in books," she said.

"Once people acknowledge to themselves they fit somewhere in the alphabet soup of the LGBTIQA+ rainbow, then there's the challenge of coming out or staying in the closet.

"Until recently, many locals on feeling the need to be themselves and stop hiding in fear of being exposed as gay or transgender for example, left Goulburn and villages for the safer anonymity of the big cities and the freedom to live and love and be themselves with LGBTIQA+ communities to support them.

"Now, there's a new awareness, even in rural and regional towns, that LGBTIQ people are just people.

"Instead of hiding or disappearing, its now a lot more likely for rainbow people to be with a welcoming and supportive group of family and friends and to choose to stay in the Goulburn district."

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She wanted to point out that being somewhere on LGBTIQA+ rainbow was about being authentic.

"Loving and being loved is what we all need and want.

"Being accepted by family, friends, school, work and the community as you are is a win for everyone."

Headspace Goulburn service manager Gail Davies said raising awareness on the discrimination encountered by LGBTIQA+ communities was important because it would allow them to fit into society.

"We deal with people between the ages of 12 to 25 and a lot of the ones in those communities just want to be included and looked at as being part of everyday life," Ms Davies said.

"They don't want to be seen as a special group and just want to be included in everything."

However, that is a constant struggle because some people continue to have a negative view of those communities.

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"We've seen parents not understanding it and not be willing to accept it," Ms Davies said.

"There are people that are going to give you over a really hard time, especially those in regional communities, because that has never been part of the norm.

"This is something new to most rural communities and everyone is still learning about the changes."

Not only are regional communities adapting, but a NSW education standards authority spokesperson says schools are too.

"In Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE), students learn about positive relationships and wellbeing, including strategies to support young people to keep safe," they said.

"Homophobia is addressed as well as affirming diversity and the impact of discrimination.

"Teachers are required to complete professional development on student wellbeing in order to maintain their accreditation.

"Through the NSW government's ongoing curriculum reform program, all syllabuses are being streamlined and updated with opportunities for consultation."

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NSW Police also help out LGBTIQA+ communities and are heavily involved with the annual LGBTIQA+ awareness day 'Wear It Purple".

Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer (GLLO) Inspector Alison Brennan said raising awareness didn't mean "forcing information onto people or bombarding them with information."

"People are going to be sexually diverse or gender diverse whether you educate them or not, and at some stage, kids are going to figure out that they're different.

"Sometimes they're not going to know why so unless we provide this awareness, they will struggle with life.

"By raising awareness regarding gender diversity, we hope people can just be a little bit more aware and sensitive to those common concepts."

Ms Brennan also said that accepting LGBTIQA+ communities was more important than just tolerating them.

"The more we destigmatise these concepts and normalize acceptance as opposed to just tolerance, the better.

"Acceptance is a massive part of the health of those communities."

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