First Pride Hub opens in Trafalgar

A Pride Hub has been established in Trafalgar.
It is the first facility of its type set up by Gippsland Pride Initiative.
Coinciding with Wear It Purple Day, the hub was formally launched by Minister for Equality Harriet Shing.
The hub will operate two days a week from Trafalgar House at the corner of Kitchener and Contingent St under a lease agreement with West Gippsland Healthcare Group.
Co-founder of GPI Caitlin Grisby said the Trafalgar base, while humble, was truly perfect for the group.
"While this isn't a first in the state, for Gippsland it is an important and exciting step forward," she said.
West Gippsland Healthcare Group chief executive officer Dan Weeks said the board welcomed the initiative to establish the hub.
Mr Weeks said he hoped the hub would allow the GPI committee to continue to support the community.
"Wear It Purple strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people, and this is something West Gippsland Healthcare Group continues to strive for in all of our healthcare settings for all in our community," he said.
Ms Shing said the Gippsland Pride Initiative had worked tirelessly with a number of partner organisations who share the same values of inclusion, respect and connection.
"The brand-new Pride Hub in Trafalgar will enable even more LGBTIQ+ Gippslanders to access the care, recognition and support that they deserve.
"Launching it on Wear It Purple Day is perfect, it's an opportunity for all of us to recommit to supporting LGBTIQ + young people and accepting them exactly as they are.
"All LGBTIQ+ Victorians deserve dignity and respect, and the right to feel safe," she said.