Sydney Local Health District is home to one of Australia's biggest LGBTIQ+ communities and is committed to delivering the NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy 2022-27.
Our large workforce consists of LGBTIQ+ community members, families and allies. We provide health services to one of the largest LGBTIQ+ populations in NSW.
SydneyConnect Image: Sydney Local Health District Fair Day stall
Happy Mardi Gras!
Fair Day
Each year we are proud to connect with members of the LGBTIQ+ community during Mardi Gras celebrations.
Join us at Fair Day on Sunday 16 February between 10am-4pm at Victoria Park Camperdown. Come and meet our team at the Sydney Local Health District stall to find out more about our inclusive health services. We have free giveaways, including fresh fruit and a pop-up mpox vaccination clinic, where you can get your free mpox vaccine (no appointment or Medicare card needed).
If you are joining the celebrations, remember to play it safe and stay well:
drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
be sun smart
look out for each other
seek help if you need it
Enter off City Road and find our stall and clinic near the medical tent and dedicated quiet space.
Pride Square pop-up
Look out for the Sydney Local Health District Mobile Health Clinic at our Pride Square pop-up in Newtown.
Together with ACON, we'll share tips on partying safely and free sexual health information. There will be free giveaways and drag performances*. View schedule
*Drag performances between 5-6pm on 21 and 28 February.
How we support the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ communities
We have a long history of supporting the health of LGBTIQ+ communities in a range of service areas and settings. Including our HIV response from the outset of the epidemic in Sydney with HIV testing and treatment; HIV Community Allied Health services; the only HIV Dementia residential facility in the world; and hosting the state-wide Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service and Pozhet Service for heterosexual people living with HIV.
We are proud to support our LGBTIQ+ families and young people through our Rainbow Families Antenatal classes and our Youthblock youth health service.
The NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy 2022-2027 provides direction to all NSW Health organisations and staff, to deliver the best care to LGBTIQ+ people and work with them to achieve optimal health and wellbeing. This includes the health, wellbeing and safety of our health staff who are LGBTIQ+.
The Strategy’s vision is for LGBTIQ+ people in NSW to receive high quality, safe, inclusive and responsive healthcare that delivers outcomes that matter to them.
Priority population focus areas under the strategy include:
LGBTIQ+ consumers and carers
Trans and gender diverse people
Trans and gender diverse young people
LGBTIQ+ people experiencing mental health and at risk of suicide
Intersex people
Leading on LGBTIQ+ inclusion in health care
Sydney Local Health District was the first in NSW with a dedicated role to improve health services for LGBTIQ+ people.
As part of our LGBTIQ+ inclusion work we will:
Identify and progress strategies to address priority areas for LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
Look for opportunities to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ communities through health prevention, promotion, research and partnerships.
Engage with members of the LGBTIQ+ community.
Improve our services, and increase the skills, knowledge and confidence of our staff to be more LGBTIQ+ inclusive.
Increasing skills and knowledge of staff.
Become an employer of choice for LGBTIQ+ people wanting to work in health services.
We value your feedback
What matters to you, matters to us. To provide feedback on your experience in one of our hospitals or services, please contact our Patient and Family Experience Officers.
If you’ve noticed any friends or family that aren’t acting themselves or you see signs that they might be struggling, check in with them and remember to seek mental health or suicide prevention support if you feel concerned.
Language and terminology are important to LGBTIQ+ people, as they support recognition, trust and safety. Terminology to describe bodies, gender and sexualities also changes over time.
To enhance existing services, NSW Health is developing a coordinated, statewide Specialist Trans and Gender Diverse Health Service (TGD Health Service) to provide gender affirming health care for people aged under 25.