The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) and LGBTIQ+ advocacy organisation, Working it Out, recently announced the opening of nominations for the state’s 2023 Dorothies Awards.
The Dorothies are Tasmania’s premier award for LGBTIQ+ inclusivity, named after the Rev Dorothy McRae-McMahon who grew up on Tasmania’s west coast and went on to become a leading figure in the Uniting Church.
The awards showcase best practice in providing a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTIQ+ Tasmanians.
The theme for this year’s awards is ‘Excellence in LGBTIQ+ Inclusion in Local Government’, as announced by Minister for Local Government, Nic Street.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the work the local government sector is doing to increase diversity and inclusion in our community,” said LGAT President, Mayor Christina Holmdahl.
The Dorothies promote excellence and build awareness of the need for all Tasmanians to receive respectful and appropriate services that are informed by best practice.
Councils are being encouraged to nominate for Tasmania’s premier award for LGBTIQ+ inclusivity, to showcase how they are providing a safe and inclusive environment in their municipality.
Nominations close Friday 5 May
2023 and will be ranked against the assessment criteria by a panel of judges. The criteria for this year is:
• The cultural change and advancement of LGBTIQ+ visibility and inclusiveness within your municipality.
• The positive impact of your work on LGBTIQ+ individuals and their families in your municipality.
• Your commitment to LGBTIQ+ inclusivity over time.
• What change you have seen in your municipality as a result of your work.
The winners will be announced at Working It Out’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT Day) events across Tasmania on 17 May 2023.
