In Conversation with Minus18 for Pride Month
This Pride Month, we’re honoured to partner with Minus18, an organisation leading the way in creating safer, more inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ youth across Australia. From life-affirming events to powerful educational programs, their work is shaping a more inclusive future for the next generation.
We caught up with Erin Sciola (she/her), General Manager - National Programs, at Minus18, to learn more about the charity’s mission, what Pride means to them, and how we can a play a role in uplifting queer voices — not just during June, but every day of the year.
For those who may not know, what is Minus18 — and what inspired the creation of the Charity?
Minus18 is a charity that exists to Improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth. We are driven by the belief that LGBTQIA+ young people deserve a safe and welcoming world.
Minus18 began in 1998 when Nan McGregor held a support group for parents of LGBTQIA+ children. A proud mum of a gay child herself, Nan recognised that even with a supportive family, LGBTQIA+ youth were still facing social isolation. Nan decided to do something about it. Together with community volunteers, other parents and their children, the first spaces for LGBTQIA+ teenagers were held in Melbourne, known as Minus18.
Due to financial hardship, Minus18 events ceased operation during 2011. As an unincorporated youth group with no secure funding, the future of Minus18 was in doubt. Micah Scott, whose life had been changed for the better by the work of Minus18, rallied the support of existing and previous volunteers to lead the creation of the Minus18 Foundation. 27 years on, we are going strong and reaching more young people and allies than ever before!
Can you share a bit about the core work Minus18 is doing right now to support LGBTQIA+ youth across Australia?
We run life affirming programs & events for LGBTQIA+ youth (I wish everyone could experience the JOY of our Queer Formals!), we deliver LGBTQIA+ education and training to reduce discrimination, and we run campaigns throughout the year to increase awareness and visibility. A big part of our work is elevating the voices and experiences of queer young people across Australia. We recently released the findings of “Queer Youth Now: The National Survey of LGBTQIA+ youth voice in Australia”. It shares a snapshot of what life looks like for LGBTQIA+ youth aged 13 to 25 across Australia today. If you are looking for insights and incredible stories you should definitely go check it out.
With Pride Month here, how is Minus18 planning to celebrate — and what does this time of year mean to you personally and professionally?
I am a proud gay woman but this wasn’t always the case. I grew up in a very conservative and influential religious community, and was deeply closeted well into my adult life. When I came out, my whole work fell apart, and I had to work through the deeply internalised homophobia that had been drilled into me since I was born. It took me a long time to feel pride in who I am and to shake off the shame and messages that I had grown up with. For me Pride Month is a moment to celebrate and enjoy where I am today, and the joy I feel in being my authentic self.
Professionally, I am in the incredible position where my work helps other people on their journey of understanding and embracing who they are, and working with people in the community to support the LGTBQIA+ in their lives as best they can. Pride Month is a time to deeply reconnect to the impact and mission of our work and the difference it makes in the lives of LGBTQIA+ young people.
What are some common misconceptions about Pride or LGBTQIA+ inclusion that you wish more people understood?
Around LGBTQIA+ inclusion, a really common misconception is that it’s complicated and hard. It’s really not… the heart of LGBTQIA+ inclusion is kindness and respect for all people. Queer Youth Now told us that 92% of LGBTQIA+ young people wished the people in their life had more knowledge about their LGBTQIA+ identity to help them feel accepted. They aren’t looking for anything over the top here, they just want people to understand more about them. There were six key things LGBTQIA+ young people said the people in their lives can do to help them feel accepted.
Accept us for who we are
Learn about our LGBTQIA+ lives
Get our names and pronouns right
Use inclusive language
Respect our privacy
Challenge stereotypes and LGBTQIA+ hate While some of these may take some learning from people, they all come back to the very basics of people being treated with kindness and respect. It’s the heart of all inclusion. I wish people understood that more.
In what ways can brands or creators authentically support and uplift queer voices — not just during Pride, but year-round?
Firstly, I would say to look within your own company or team, and do the work to ensure it is an inclusive and safe space for queer people. Doing anything with your brand or product externally without also doing the work internally will be tokenistic.
All year around, connect with the stories and experiences of queer people. Stay connected and learn. Wherever possible think about how your brand and products are including LGBTQIA+ people or excluding them.
As an example, what is your visual marketing saying to queer people? Are you solely promoting to heteronormative and cisgender norms, or are you making space for expressions that represent the beautiful diversity that is also present in the LGBTQIA+ community?
Engage with days of significance across the year, Pride Month is one, but there is also IDAHOBIT, Wear it Purple Day, Trans Day of Remembrance, and many others. Visible, vocal allyship and support, especially where you share queer stories and experiences goes a long way all year round to show up authentically for LGBTQIA+ people during key moments for our community, and not just the celebrations!
Can you share a recent moment or project at Minus18 that made you especially proud?
Definitely Queer Youth Now. I almost cried four times in one hour during the internal launch listening to the experiences and stories of LGBTQIA+ young people!
How can people get involved or support Minus18’s mission in a meaningful way —whether through donations, actions, or advocacy?
You can donate to support our work, every bit counts! Or buy merch through our online store. It makes a huge difference (86% of LGBTQIA+ young people said seeing someone wearing rainbow or ally accessories made them feel safer and more like they belonged) and all proceeds support our mission. And last but definitely not least, subscribe to our updates so that you can get involved with campaigns, advocacy and learning opportunities. All via Minus18.
What are your hopes for how mainstream culture evolves in its understanding of gender, beauty, and queerness in the coming years?
Non-conformity is at the heart of queerness. My hope is that spaces can continue to emerge in mainstream culture that let go of preconceived ideas of gender and beauty, in a way that allows people to bring full, unfiltered expression of who they are.
Gender and beauty are both constructs, they are not fixed, static truths. They are deep and ever changing parts of the human experience that connect deeply to our freedom and joy. I hope we can evolve to hold our ideas about them lightly, and celebrate the many different expressions and experiences we have as humans.
What advice would you give to young LGBTQIA+ people navigating identity, especially in spaces where they may not feel fully accepted yet?
Do whatever is best for you in every situation. Not every space is safe or will fully accept LGBTQIA+ people yet. It’s a lot to carry and it will take time for people and environments to change. Unfortunately, we still face discrimination and and challenges. Navigate these spaces in a way that feels safe and best for you.
You don’t owe it to anyone to disclose parts of your identity if you don’t want to and none of us should feel pressure to have it all figured out. Our identity can be fluid, you are the expert of your own experience, and it’s important we can all explore who we are. Your journey is valid no matter what the people and spaces around you say.
The best advice I can give is to find spaces where you will be fully accepted and celebrated. Find your community, your friends, your allies. Those people and places are out there! We have a Youth Directory on our website where you can look up youth groups across Australia, and you can of course connect with the events and programs we run to meet friends!
What would you say to young queer people who feel pressure to conform in order to succeed or feel safe?
The pressure to conform is real and exhausting. The first thing I would say is, where it’s a matter of safety, seek advice from people and places you trust to find the best way to navigate that space. LGBTQIA+ hate affects a lot of us and safety is paramount. Where it’s a matter of succeeding, if you are feeling pressure to conform, it’s a sign that it might not be the right space for you. There ARE spaces where you can be fully accepted for who you are. It can take time to find them, and sometimes we need to take it one step at a time to get there, but don’t compromise who you are. Keep seeking out the spaces that bring you freedom and joy and don’t settle for anything less.
This Pride Month, we’re honoured to partner with Minus18 by donating $1 from every sale through our partnership with i=Change, supporting their ongoing mission to build safer, more inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ youth.
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