When gay woman Pam Mulholland arrived in Mandurah, she was amazed at the lack of services or community among LGBTI+ people in the area.
After having spent most of her adult life pretty heavily immersed in LGBTI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) and women’s politics, she felt compelled to do something to provide a support network for those with mutual experiences.
“I think everyone needs that sometimes… we have new mothers groups for instance, it’s important to have support networks for people going through similar things,” Ms Mulholland said.
Earlier this year in June south metro MLC Lyn MacLaren addressed this need at Mandurah’s first ever ‘All Things Queer’ forum.
“The fact that Mandurah might feel like it’s a little bit left out, is because there just aren’t the resources there, but it’s also up to the people of Mandurah to get together and create a group, that’s where these things start,” Ms MacLaren said on the night.
Ms Mulholland hopes to address this need, and is seeking expressions of interest to form a group for gay women called ‘Meet ‘n Muse’.
“I know there are gay people living here who do already have networks of friends, but this is for new people, or people who have been living here for years who haven’t made any gay friends yet and would like to… or still want to meet new people,” she said.
“If you identify at any level as a lesbian or gay woman, then you’re welcome.”
She said the group would also be inclusive of same-sex attracted trans women and bisexual women.
The group will be based on others Ms Mulholland has been involved with, including Perth organisation GRAI (GLBTI Rights in Ageing), and though her experience is in older women’s groups, she said she wants to begin with an open-age invitation.
Those in attendance will meet up and sit in a circle where they can discuss personal experiences and issues in turn, and after an hour this more formal part of the meet-up ends, with attendees welcome to come for coffee afterwards.
She said she was also open to any other LGBTQI+ people contacting her for help in establishing their own group with this formula she’s seen success with.
“Isolation is the biggest [issue facing LGBTQI+ people in Mandurah]… many may be getting very little opportunity to express themselves fully, as who they are,” Ms Mulholland said.
Email Pam at graipamm@gmail.com to express interest in the group or for more information.
