Multicultural Parents with LGBTIQ+ Children:
Supports in Victoria
Being a parent in a new country can be hard enough. When your child shares that they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or gender diverse, intersex, queer or questioning (LGBTIQ+), you might feel a mix of love, worry, confusion, or fear of community judgment. You are not alone—and you do not have to figure this out by yourself. Below is a practical, Victoria-specific guide to supports for parents of younger children, teens, and adult children, with tips that respect culture, faith, language and family values.
QUICK HELP & HELPLINES
QLife (national)
1800 184 527, webchat
Open for anonymous LGBTIQ+ peer support. Family and friends can also call for advice or referrals.
Rainbow Door (Victoria)
1800 729 367, SMS 0480 017 246
A specialist helpline for LGBTIQA+ people, their families and allies. Great for information, warm referrals and brief support.
https://www.switchboard.org.au/
Parentline Victoria
13 22 89
Free phone counselling for parenting issues for children 0–18 years old. Interpreters available on request.
https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/parentline
PARENT PEER GROUPS & COMMUNITIES
Parents of Gender Diverse Children (PGDC)
Peer-to-peer support, small groups, and practical information for parents of trans and gender diverse kids. Strong network in Victoria.
Transcend Australia
Resources and tailored support for families of trans/gender diverse young people—including translated tip sheets (Arabic, Traditional/Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Greek, Spanish, Easy English).
Intersex Peer Support Australia (IPSA)
Peer connection and information for parents and families.
InterLink (IHRA)
Intersex-led counselling and groups, including for parents.
IF YOUR CHILD IS AT SCHOOL
Victorian schools are expected to create safe, inclusive environments and take steps to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sex, gender or sexuality. Schools must work with students who are affirming their gender identity to develop a student support plan (useful talking points for parent–school meetings). The Safe Schools program provides staff training and resources to help schools do this well.
https://www.schools.vic.gov.au/safe-schools
HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN & TEENS
Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Gender Service
Statewide service for under-16s living in Victoria. GP referral required. RCH confirmed in 02/2025 that it continues to accept new referrals and provide care; see the family FAQ for details. (Not a crisis service.)
https://www.rch.org.au/adolescent-medicine/gender-service/
SAFETY, DISCRIMINATION & YOUR RIGHTS
Victoria Police LGBTIQA+ Liaison Officers (LLOs)
You can ask any police station to speak with an LLO for discreet advice, help reporting a crime, or referrals. There are hundreds of trained LLOs across Victoria.
https://www.police.vic.gov.au/LGBTIQA-liaison-officers
Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC)
Free, confidential information about your rights—and a complaints process to resolve discrimination, vilification or harassment.
https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/
COUNSELLING & FAMILY SUPPORT (LGBTIQ+-AFFIRMING)
What can counselling do for parents? It is a non-judgemental space to explore love for your child alongside shame, fear, grief or self-blame—especially when messages from your country of origin or faith feel heavy.
Queerspace (drummond street services)
Individual, family and relationship counselling; parenting programs; statewide access (in-person and online).
https://www.queerspace.org.au/
Thorne Harbour Health
LGBTIQ+ counselling and therapeutic groups, with specialist family violence support and intake for mental health/AOD.
Ashore Wellness
Ashore Wellness supports clients across Melbourne’s multicultural and LGBTIQ+ communities and recognises the nuanced, complex realities of intersectionality. https://ashorewellness.com.au/
HOW WE SUPPORT MULTICULTURAL & LGBTIQ+ FAMILIES
At Ashore Wellness (Moonee Ponds & telehealth), many of the parents we see are first-generation migrants who love their child deeply and also feel pulled by culture, family expectations and faith. We specialise in CALD-informed, LGBTIQ+-affirming counselling in English or Mandarin (and we are interpreter-friendly). Using evidence-based approaches, we can support you to:
- make sense of shame, fear or self-blame while staying connected to your child;
- choose values-aligned parenting steps you can stand by;
- prepare for school meetings and plan respectful conversations with grandparents or faith leaders;
- set healthy boundaries that protect your child and your relationships.
We also offer walk-and-talk sessions (where appropriate) and flexible appointments to reduce barriers for busy migrant families. If you would like a calm, confidential space tailored to your culture and values, you are welcome to book a consult or request a call-back to ask questions.
