Minus18 Foundation

Introducing the newest group of young people to join our Young Leaders Program! This 10-month program brings together incredible young people aged 18 to 25 to develop their skills, confidence, and leadership through fortnightly sessions known as QLABs. These sessions feature inspiring guest speakers – from local queer icons to changemakers – offering their expertise and sharing their stories. Participants also gain hands-on experience, helping to bring events like Melbourne Queer Formal to life. We’re so proud of what this program is achieving, growing into the leaders of tomorrow!

How great are our Education Team? 🥹 Hannah (she/they), Max (he/him), and Charlie (she/they) are ready to host LGBTQIA+ inclusion sessions at your workplace or school, and help you build inclusion! And workplaces – if you're looking for a session for Mardi Gras season, we're currently giving a discounts for those who book before 31 January. Get in touch: https://buff.ly/3qmI5cZ

It's a new year, and that means it's time to stock up the sticker drawer! ✨ Whether you're a teacher getting ready for your new students, or someone who wants to decorate their laptop and water bottle – we have so many stickers ready to show your pride. Every year, we also get so many of you buying stickers in bulk to give out at Midsumma Carnival or Mardi Gras Fair Day. We love seeing you hand these out at your stalls to spread a little rainbow pride while supporting LGBTQIA+ youth. After all, every purchase you make through our online store helps support our work, so you're making a difference with every dollar spent. Shop now: https://buff.ly/3Opx1DY

New year, new opportunity? 👀 We're looking for an LGBTQIA+ Education Presenter to JOIN THE TEAM! You'll present packaged LGBTQIA+ workshops and keynotes to a wide variety of audiences including schools, youth groups, community organisations and workplaces. You'll confidently share your own personal experiences relating to LGBTQIA+ identity and answer audience questions related to LGBTQIA+ identity, inclusion and allyship. Sound like you? Check out the full PD and apply here: https://buff.ly/4h5Igy2 We can't wait to meet you!

Mardi Gras is coming up fast – and there are so many ways you can get involved! Because, after all, Mardi Gras is more than just a series of parties and festivals. Whether you're a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, or you're a proud ally – it's a moment to really celebrate pride. Here's how you can celebrate with meaningful impact: 🏳️🌈 Have us deliver an LGBTQIA+ inclusion session at your work or school! 🏳️🌈 Decorate your office or your community with our pride merch! 🏳️🌈 Host a fundraiser or make a donation to support our work! 🏳️🌈 Wave our pride flags proudly in the Mardi Gras parade! Every action of support helps build inclusion for LGBTQIA+ youth all year round – and every donation is tax deductible. Mardi Gras is such a magical time of year, as we see rainbows all around the community. How will you get involved? Learn more: https://buff.ly/3OLT4VV

One of our favourite parts about marching at Midsumma Pride March is seeing so many proud families and groups come together. It truly warms our heart to see parents, teachers, grandparents, aunties, uncles and chosen family all marching in solidarity with their young person. So, if you're a proud adult, you can join your young person and march with Minus18! You could march just you and your young person, them with a group of their friends, or even bring the whole sporting team or school group! We know how big these moments can be and, while they're not possible for everyone, we are blown away every year by these incredibly heartfelt moments. We can't wait to march proudly with you all next month. Make sure you register, and get ready for a beautiful day of community! Register here: https://buff.ly/4ghIt1j

Our Education Team is always on the road, heading to schools and workplaces all over the place.

With next year's federal election on the horizon, our pals at Equality Australia want to hear from you! They're hosting a survey that's all about LGBTQIA+ issues, and what matters to you come election time here in Australia. Your thoughts will shape the conversations they have with political parties, so have your voice heard! Complete the 5-minute survey via https://buff.ly/49r0hUZ

Language is made to fit us, not the other way around. As more terms emerge for LGBTQIA+ identities, we find words that resonate and reflect our authentic selves. The growing number of people ‘becoming’ queer or trans isn’t because of a trend or craze – it’s about finally having the language to understand, experience and identify with. There’s no right or wrong answer either, only your words can describe who YOU are.

We asked our team what their favourite moments of 2024 were 🫶 Because we want to share those moments outside of a statistic or a number – those moments that hit you in the feels, make you real proud, and show you how much we impact people on a really personal basis every day. We're incredibly proud of all of these moments – and so many more. And they're only possible thanks to your support. So, from every single one of us here at Minus18 – THANK YOU for everything you do to help us continue our work for LGBTQIA+ youth. We will never stop saying thank you, and we will never stop championing LGBTQIA+ youth 💖