The AFCA is holding a pre-summer forum for members of the fire community that identity as LGBTQIA+, as well as allies in the fire community who would like to listen in and learn about how they can show in solidarity for their LGBTQIA+ peers.
The first of these forums will be on the 18 November 2023, 18:00 AEDT.
The forum will take place over Zoom. Register here
Why do we need an LGBTQIA+ specific space for firefighters?
LGBTQIA+ people have been subjected to harassment, discrimination and violence for decades. We have seen improvement of conditions for LGBTQIA+ people in recent years, however conditions for these communities that exist in firefighting spaces, such as the Country Fire Authority (CFA), are in many instances, still years behind.
While policies in organisations such as the CFA are in place to protect members of the LGBTQIA+ community, this is not always reflected in the culture of local brigades.
Unfortunately, there is still a culture of negativity and fear in these spaces, that often make it difficult for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to come out and safely exist.
As we move into the 2023-2024 fire season, these risks are amplified. Highly stressful environments, working with other brigades who are unfamiliar, in a very patriarchal and hierarchical environment can pose a great risk to firefighters in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Recognising that this summer is predicted to be very intense, with the El Nino, and the Climate crisis fueling an intense, dry and hot fire season, we want to create this space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to discuss what it means to be firefighter in increasingly prolonged fire periods, where we will be needed more often, in spaces we may not feel safe or welcome in.
How it will work
This is an open event, however we advise that this is a LGBTQIA+ specific space. If you are not a part of this community and would like to attend, please do so with the mindset of listening as an ally. It is important that this is a safe space for folks to open up and be vulnerable if they choose to.
The forum will be moderated, and will also have members monitoring the space for unsafe behaviour. Any persons displaying behaviour found to be sexist, racist, misogynistic, transphobic, ablest and overall discriminatory will be removed immediately.
The structure will operate as a relaxed, open space. We will go around and do introductions and get to know each other. From there, AFCA will do a bit of a background on who we are as an organisation, what is predicted for this fire season, and set questions to throw to the forum, initiating a discussion. This can go for as long as we feel it needs to, reading the energy in the room.
From there, we can initiate another discussion through another question to the forum.
At the end, the AFCA will invite any firefighters who are keen to join us, as well as sending a link to our mailing list. We can get feedback if people found the forum helpful, and offer a series of forums following.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact sam.galvin@foe.org.au, or fill out the contact form on our website.
Australian Firefighters Climate Alliance 