By letting people into their lives, these couples hope to be positive role models to others
LGBTIQ couples are letting the world into their relationships to act as role model for others in the community.
‘Our Relationships’ is an eight-part series that delves into the lives of real LGBTIQ people as they open up about their partnerships. They talk about what works for them, what challenges they have faced and how have they worked through these challenges.
The mini-documentary was made to address both the rates of domestic violence in the LGBTIQ community and to support LGBTI people who have experienced abuse.
Released by the Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Project of one of Australia’s LGBTIQ health organizations, ACON.
ACON decided to make the series after a 2016 online survey revealed which found a high number of participants had no positive relationship role models. Many survey participants also aid that there is a lack of visibility of LGBTI role models more generally.
Ending LGBTIQ domestic and family violence
Launching this week, the series seeks to provide LGBTIQ people with relatable and accessible peers who can act as role models in creating healthier practices, helping to improve relationships and overall wellbeing, fostering resilience, transmitting positive values and beliefs, and generating a positive sense of self-worth for individuals and communities.
Our Relationships features 15 individuals and eight different relationships. It follows their stories and the impact that challenges have had on their lives, and what they did to overcome their issues.
By sharing their unique journeys, ACON hopes that members of the LGBTIQ community will be able to connect and relate to experiences of what healthy partnerships can look like.
‘Domestic and family violence remains a significant health issue for our communities with one in three LGBTIQ people in NSW (New South Wales) having experienced domestic and family violence in their current or in previous relationships,’ ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said.
He said showcasing positive depictions of LGBTIQ people will raise awareness of the diversity of healthy relationships that exists within LGBTI communities. It would also encourage those needing support to seek help and information.
‘We are continuing our efforts to address the issue by providing campaigns, services and programs that support LGBTI people experiencing domestic and family violence,’ Parkhill said.
‘We hope that the role models in Our Relationships can help people whose relationships may have problematic elements. They can be a critical factor in reducing risk and increasing protective factors for those around them.
The mini-documentary series can found on social media but also on the DFV website, Say It Out Loud.
The website provides information, support and resources to address abuse in LGBTIQ relationships as well as information about what a healthy relationship looks like and tips on how to improve relationships.
