We believe in a world where we are

better together.

OUR VISION

We believe in a world where we are better together.

A world where collaboration sparks innovation, unity strengthens communities and diverse voices come together to shape a brighter future.

By working collectively and supporting one another, we can tackle challenges, amplify positive change, and create opportunities that benefit everyone. Together, we can achieve progress that is meaningful, sustainable and inclusive.

OUR MISSION

We want to create a world where rainbow communities thrive in connection, community, and belonging; empowering healthy, engaged citizens to become agents of their own change.

We achieve this by bringing people together through meaningful gatherings that spark dialogue, build relationships and inspire action.

And through our unique initiatives, we provide rainbow leaders and changemakers the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to grow, lead and create lasting impact in their communities.

OUR VALUES

  • We believe in the transformative power of heartfelt gatherings.

    Our events are created with the conviction that authentic connections and shared experiences lay the groundwork for positive change.

    Dedicated to designing experiences from the heart, our goal is to foster a deep sense of belonging and shared humanity.

  • We believe in the profound impact of connection and community.

    Our learning experiences are not just opportunities for education; they are catalysts for growth, positive relationships and lifelong learning.

    We believe in the power of bringing people together, cultivating future skills and creating experiences for individuals to connect, collaborate and make a difference.

  • At our core, service is our heartbeat, propelling us to support those committed to driving meaningful change.

    Rooted in humility, we approach our mission with open minds, acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses and maintaining a commitment to updating our thinking.

    Our actions are driven by a genuine desire to serve, recognising that impactful change comes from listening, being open to new perspectives and continuously learning not just for ourselves but for the greater good.

  • We uphold the value of a compassionate culture, where care serves as the cornerstone.

    Acknowledging that our diversity is our strength, we nurture one another and promote growth through our processes, creating spaces that resonate with respect and understanding.

    We believe in treating everyone with dignity, acknowledging their unique story and voice.

  • Our commitment to pride is woven into the fabric of our organisation, celebrating the magnificent cultural and political contributions of the rainbow movement.

    We honour the achievements of those who have paved the way and embrace the energy, spirit and enthusiasm of rainbow pride.

OUR STORY

Established in 2017, The Equality Project® emerged with a mission to strengthen the ties within Australia's vibrant and diverse LGBTIQA+ communities.

In this landscape, individuals, organisations, and communities often operated in isolation, lacking awareness of each other and limited in opportunities for collaboration.

Recognising the chance for greater unity and collaboration, our goal from the outset was to connect individuals, organisations, and communities; to build bridges, foster cooperation, and encourage collective effort.

The Equality Project's formation took shape during the marriage equality campaign in Australia, highlighting the need to address various facets of the LGBTIQA+ movement and create space for a truly intersectional discussion about the kind of world we want to create and how we might achieve that vision.

This vision culminated in 2018 with our inaugural major project, Better Together®—our first national LGBTIQA+ conference at Melbourne Town Hall—which marked the beginning of our ongoing commitment to bringing people together, fostering connection and empowering diverse communities across Australia.

The Equality Project® has also pioneered Australia's first LGBTIQA+ Policy Guide, dedicated to ensuring genuine inclusion and the realisation of human rights for lesbian, gay, bi+, trans, gender diverse, non-binary, intersex, queer and asexual individuals and their families in Australia. Adopted from the former Australian Equality Party and updated in 2020, significant effort has been made to ensure collaborative, participatory approaches were used in developing a high-level overview of the most prominent needs broadly experienced throughout Australian LGBTIQA+ communities.

What started as a singular idea to ignite meaningful change has grown into The Equality Project®—a recognised charitable organisation with DGR status.

Dedicated to enhancing the health and social wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ Australians, our focus is to advance the education and training of community advocates and leaders, while fostering cooperation, participation and mutual respect within rainbow communities across Australia.

Since 2018, The Equality Project® has brought together over 5,000 individuals through purposeful gatherings across Australia, ranging from intimate to large-scale events. Notably, we host Better Together®, Australia's flagship LGBTIQA+ community conference, and deliver leadership programs, education and capacity-building initiatives, along with tailored community projects that bring people and organisations together.

These endeavours are designed to promote collaboration, build capacity, encourage participation, cultivate a sense of community and belonging and drive collective action.

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“We believe in uniting people to create lasting change, building inclusive and thriving communities where diversity is celebrated.”

— Jason Tuazon-McCheyne, CEO, The Equality Project®

WHAT WE DO

At The Equality Project®, we are dedicated to forging partnerships with organisations of all sizes to spark meaningful and transformative change.

Our focus is to empower communities through education and the development of future-focused skills and capabilities, accelerating learning and innovation. We prioritise placing people at the centre of everything we do, whether through engaging learning programs or purposeful gatherings. These experiences are designed to create immediate impact while driving systemic change, all grounded in a forward-looking perspective.

Our aim is to strengthen the adaptive capacity of rainbow communities and their allies. We achieve this by fostering meaningful relationships, building connections within the community, and promoting a culture of humility and lifelong learning.

Our Initiatives

  • The Better Together® Conference stands as our flagship gathering, bringing together up to 1,000 individuals to celebrate the rich diversity within Australia's LGBTIQA+ communities . This significant national event; the National Rainbow Gathering for Change; serves as a platform for rainbow communities, organisations, and allies to learning from each other, work together, build bridges and find common ground to drive meaningful positive change.

  • We design initiatives to equip leaders and aspiring changemakers with the essential skills to navigate the complexities of social change and strengthen their ability to adapt for greater impact.

    Tailored for individuals committed to creating meaningful change, these programs focus on developing knowledge, future-ready skills and the mindsets needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

  • These initiatives are crafted to cultivate team, organisational, and community environments that prioritise diversity, equity, and fairness, driving meaningful cultural change.

    Through education, facilitation and tailored training programs, we help organisations strengthen their capacity to create spaces where everyone feels respected, valued and empowered to thrive.

  • Our Discovery Projects are comprehensive explorations that uncover insights and contribute valuable knowledge on significant topics within the LGBTIQA+ landscape.

    By undertaking thorough investigations, we strive to inform discussions, policies and initiatives with a robust foundation of data and perspectives.

  • Our tailored gatherings and experiences are thoughtfully designed to address specific needs within communities, promoting and supporting health and wellbeing outcomes.

    Grounded in empathy and a deep understanding of the diverse communities we serve—including individuals, users and learners—these gatherings foster meaningful connection, strengthen community bonds and provide targeted support within rainbow communities.

Guided by our core values, we are committed to creating

lasting, positive impact.

This dedication fuels our continuous evolution,

ensuring our efforts remain aligned with our mission

to bring people together,

inspire change

and support rainbow communities.

OUR PARTNERS

We are proud to partner with a diverse range of organisations, united in our commitment to advancing the health and wellbeing and empowerment of rainbow communities.

Partners and sponsors listed are current as of January 2024. Subject to change at short notice.

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SCHOLARSHIPS

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CONFERENCE DELEGATES

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TRAINING ALUMNI

Participants since 2018.

Legal Structure

The Equality Project® Ltd is a company limited by guarantee, and registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC). You can read our annual reports & find out more at the Australian Charity Register. As of 5 January 2019, The Equality Project is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).

Funding

The Equality Project® relies on government and community grants, philanthropic grants, corporate sponsorships, partnerships and donations in order to run its initiatives. For partnership opportunities please contact us.

Trademarks

The Equality Project® and Better Together® are registered trademarks.