7-9 Summerside Street, Toukley
LGBTQ+ Services
AIDS Council of NSW (ACON)
ACON is New South Wales' leading health organisation specialising in community health, inclusion, and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders. Established in 1985 during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, ACON has evolved to become Australia's largest HIV prevention, HIV support, and LGBTQ health organisation.
The organisation offers a comprehensive range of services, including HIV prevention and support, sexual health programs, mental health initiatives, alcohol and other drugs support, cancer screening and prevention, safety and inclusion programs, and ageing support. ACON also provides specialised training and consulting services to promote LGBTQ inclusion in workplaces, sporting organisations, and health services through its Pride Inclusion Programs. Trusted Health AdvicePride Inclusion Programs+1aconhealth.org.au+1
With head offices located in Sydney and additional offices in regional centres such as Lismore and Newcastle, ACON extends its services across New South Wales. The organisation is committed to creating opportunities for people in LGBTQ communities to live their healthiest lives by delivering programs and services that enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals and promote inclusion and diversity.
GENQ RYSS
GenQ is a social support group facilitated by Regional Youth Support Services (RYSS) for sexuality and gender-diverse young people aged 12 to 17 on the Central Coast of New South Wales. The group provides a safe and inclusive environment where participants can connect, share experiences, and receive support.
Meetings are held every Wednesday from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the RYSS Youth Skills Centre, located at 9 Warrawilla Road, Wyoming, NSW 2250.
RYSS is a locally based child and youth registered charity and not-for-profit agency delivering frontline youth support services and innovative engagement strategies to vulnerable young people between the ages of 12 and 25, and their families, throughout the NSW Central Coast.
Love Bites Central Coast
Love Bites is a national respectful relationships education program developed by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN). Designed for young people aged 11 to 17, the program aims to provide a safe environment to discuss and learn about relationship violence, sex, and relationships. It consists of interactive workshops that encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, empowering participants to establish healthy and respectful relationships.
On the Central Coast of New South Wales, Love Bites is coordinated by Coast Shelter, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness or domestic and family violence. The program has been implemented in local schools since 2008, thanks to community partnerships and funding from the Department of Social Services. The goal is to raise awareness and reduce the rates of domestic and family violence by delivering the program to all schools in the region.
Qlife Counselling
QLife is Australia's first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for people of diverse sexes, genders, and sexualities. It provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referrals for individuals in Australia seeking to discuss issues related to sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships. The service is available to LGBTIQ+ individuals, their friends and families, and health professionals.
Operating hours are from 3 pm to midnight (local time) every day. Support is accessible via telephone at 1800 184 527 or through webchat on their website. Both services are staffed by trained LGBTIQ+ community members across the country, ensuring that callers and chat users can connect with peers who understand their experiences.
QLife is a collaborative initiative, bringing together and enhancing the work of five state-based partner agencies located in capital cities across Australia. These partnerships enable QLife to offer nation-wide, early intervention, peer-supported telephone and web-based services to support LGBTIQ+ people of all ages.