With a rainbow crossing, the flag flying outside council and the city's much-lauded Drag Queen Storytime, Wollongong has made "made enormous strides to actively recognising our LGBTQI community".
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That was the message from Deputy Mayor Tania Brown, who urged residents to speak up about the council's new diversity policy, which will put the focus on inclusion.
"Recent global events have shown us how important it is to recognise diversity in all of its forms, and actively seek inclusion and respect to ensure a true sense of belonging for all of our citizens," she said.
She highlighted events like Viva La Gong, NAIDOC Week, Refugee Week, We Belong In the Gong, and the council's push to include more Aboriginal place names, including the new Karrara Bridge.
As a strong advocate for marriage equality - and the councillor behind the idea for Wollongong's rainbow crossing - Cr Brown also particularly highlighted the work the council has done in furthering equality for the LGBTQI community.
You may not see that, especially if you only read the comments on social media, but I've been touched by the many people and members of the queer community and their parents who have spoken to me about what it means to them.
"In our term, we've made enormous strides to actively recognising our LGBTQI community," she said.
"The rainbow flag is currently flying on our community flag pole, recognising Pride Month. Our rainbow crossing, which was unanimously supported by this council, has had a huge impact.
"You may not see that, especially if you only read the comments on social media, but I've been touched by the many people and members of the queer community and their parents who have spoken to me about what it means to them."
Cr Brown also read out a letter from local drag queen Bree Vin-Ammyl, who said she said she "never thought she would see such acceptance in the town she grew up in, and for the first time, she felt at home in her home".
The new draft policy, which will go on public exhibition, is aimed at guiding decisions and putting in place new strategies to demonstrates the council's "desire to create a place where diversity is valued, people are included and feel they belong".
It could also help create a more diverse council workforce, and will help all residents to "feel safe, respected and accepted" throughout the city.
Cr Brown said people should "have your say, speak out, show your respect for all members of our community regardless of age, gender, sexuality, race, religion or ability".
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Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
