Links & Resources
RESOURCES
Who's in your Family? Resource kit
'Who is in your family?' resource kit provides information sheets and posters for early childhood services, primary schools and the rainbow families who use them. Produced by the Rainbow Families Council 2010.
Wear it with Pride - Parenting page
In 2008 the Federal Government changed 85 laws to give same-sex couples in a de facto relationship or registered relationship the same rights as de facto opposite-sex couples especially in the area of Family Law. Changes to the Family Law Act 1975, mean that now federal law recognises most same-sex couples and their child/ren as a family. The Wear It with Pride site summarises the reforms, and provides a page on parenting. http://www.wearitwithpride.com.au/law-reforms/parenting/
Launched in Victoria in December 2009, Well Proud draws on national and international research on the health and wellbeing of GLBTI people and on guidelines for GLBTI-sensitive practice and service delivery that have been developed here and overseas. The guide provides evidence-based recommendations aimed at supporting services to be more responsive to issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex conditions. It includes additional recommendations for specific health care settings, and for subgroups within the GLBTI population that have specific health and wellbeing needs.
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/glbtimac/
Applying for Birth Certificates in Victoria
On 1 January 2010, the Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART) Act 2008 becomes operational. This legislation affects the way the Registry will record and release information on the State's civil registers, including recognition of same-sex parents on Victorian birth and death certificates. Other changes include: individuals and couples may access assisted reproductive treatment regardless of their relationship status; a mother's female partner may be registered as a parent on their child`s birth certificate; a person or a couple, who commission a surrogacy arrangement, are recognised as parents on birth certificates after obtaining a Substitute Parentage Order from the County Court. A registered relationship will be recognised on birth and death certificates. Detailed information and application forms are now available at www.bdm.vic.gov.au/donorregisters
Pride and Joy
The Pride and Joy booklet, published by the Royal Women’s Hospital, is a resource for prospective lesbian parents in Victoria. The booklet and its online version aims to bring together some essential facts from the confusing and often hard-to-find mass of information about creating lesbian families. Note: the laws in Victoria have changed since this booklet was produced, however some of the content is still useful. Access the content online at http://www.thewomens.org.au/PrideandJoyonline
Over the Rainbow: A guide to the law for lesbians and gay men in Victoria.
This site features detailed, searchable information about areas such as anti-discrimination law, health, inheritance, property division, death compensation and State superannuation for lesbians and gay men in Victoria. Over the Rainbow online is an initiative of the Victorian Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby and the Department of Justice. Please note that the section "Parents and Children" is very out of date and does not include recent changes to state law that became available to same sex couples, including gay men and single women, as of January 2010. http://over-the-rainbow.org/
We’re Here …a resource for childcare workers
This booklet is a resource for childcare workers. It was written by members of the lesbian parents playgroups in the City of Darebin in Victoria, with the assistance of a number of early childhood workers. Download pdf at http://www.glhv.org.au:80/node/374
LINKS TO USEFUL WEBSITES
VICTORIAN WEBSITES
The ALSO Foundation
The ALSO Foundation works to enhance the lives of Victoria's diverse gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. ALSO provides information, research, support services, and advocacy. http://www.also.org.au
Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby
The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby represents gay and lesbian interests and works within the political framework and the community at large. It achieves its goals through representation, advocacy and working with the media. The website provides information about current campaigns and issues in Victoria. http://www.vglrl.org.au/index.php
'Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays' (PFLAG)
PFLAG is a group of parents, families and friends of gay, lesbian and bisexual people who meet once a month and offer support and friendship to families, particularly parents, and also to members of the GLBTI community who may need support in coming out to their families and friends. We offer support through public education and advocacy, to end discrimination and secure equal civil rights. http://www.pflagvictoria.org.au/
Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria Clearinghouse
The GLHV Clearinghouse aims to provide accessible and up-to-date health information and resources based on the social model of health as outlined in the Victorian GLBTI Health and Wellbeing Action Plan . Sections include health, women's health, your rights and information for gay and lesbian headed families. http://www.glhv.org.au/clearinghouse
AUSTRALIAN WEBSITES
Parents With Pride (PWP)
Parents With Pride is a support, resource, and networking forum seeking to serve Australian and New Zealand parents, partners, and prospective parents who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans* (GLBT). The site includes an e-group to provide an update on what’s happening in the world of GLBT families, , useful websites across Australia, articles on parenting, and more. http://au.geocities.com/pwpaus/index.htm
Gay Dads Australia
A resource for gay dads and those thinking of becoming gay dads. http://gaydadsaustralia.blogspot.com/
Oz Rainbow Families
Australian Rainbow Families discussion website and blog - http://ozrainbowfamilies.wordpress.com
Pink Parents
Pink Parents are a group of prospective and established families and friends of South Australia's same-sex community. http://pinkparents.ning.com
Glockids - Gay and Lesbian of Co-parent Kids
GLOCKIDS mean Gay and Lesbian Of Co-parent Kids. It is a community focused support group for any person whether Gay, Lesbian, Transgender or Bi-sexual who has had children through a heterosexual relationship. It is also for their family members, partners and children. http://www.glockids.org/
BLOGS
Lesbianfamily.org
A list of blogs by lesbian families - including blogs on trying to conceive, being pregnant, parenting by age group and type, and blogs from kids and family and friends. http://lesbianfamily.org/the-blogroll/
BOOKS
'Here I Am' Comic Book
A six-page comic book about lesbian mums who have a baby. Created by Melbourne artist Kath D.
Here I Am Comic Book
INTERNATIONAL WEBSITES
Mombian Resource Directory for LGBT Parents
American site with links to lots of resources, including blogs by kids of LGBT families, trans families, gay dad families, plus advice on conception, parenting, relationships, and much more. http://www.mombian.com/
The Rainbow Babies
The Rainbow Babies provides information on the many aspects of GLBT pregnancies and parenting, as well as space for parents or would-be parents to share their stories about their paths to parenthood.
http://www.therainbowbabies.com/
Family Equality Council
The Family Equality Council - based in the USA - works to ensure equality for LGBT families by building community, changing hearts and minds, and advancing social justice for all families. The site includes
fabtastic resources for home, community and schools as well as books and resources for kids.
http://www.familyequality.org
WEBSITES FOR KIDS
COLAGE
COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) is an organisation that supports children, youth and adults with LGBT parent(s). The website provides online communities, pen-pals from all over the world, posters and resources for schools, and lots more. COLAGE is based in the USA but there are chapters in other countries. http://www.colage.org/
PREGNANCY, BIRTH AND POSTNATAL WEBSITES
ACCESS
Australian website provides infertility information, support, news and advocacy.
http://www.access.org.au/
Maternity Coalition
An umbrella organisation bringing together groups and individuals across Australia who are involved in pregnancy and childbirth
http://www.maternitycoalition.org.au/
Birthnet
Australian website with heaps of pregnancy info
http://www.birth.com.au/
Birth
Childbirth education classes in Melbourne
http://www.birtheducation.com.au/
Homebirth Australia
http://www.homebirthaustralia.org/
Australian Breastfeeding Association
Formerly the Nursing Mothers Association
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/
La Leche League International
American Breastfeeding website with lots of breastfeeding and parenting info.
http://www.lalecheleague.org/
FIND OUT MORE
Downloads
 Guidelines for Recruiting and Supporting Gay and Lesbian Carers | downloads: 17 | type: pdf | size: 3 MB |
Produced by The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, this provides a guide for foster care agencies for recruiting and supporting gay and lesbian foster carers. It outlines the experiences of gay and lesbian foster carers, understanding discrimination, inclusive approaches, positive parenting provided by gay and lesbian parents, and adopts a strengths-based approach. Monograph 22 from the The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare. |
|
