It’s not a destination, it’s a journey - Meet Erdem and Eloise

Firstly welcome back to SameSame Different, this is Western Sydney Podcast.

For the launch of Series 2, we are very honoured to be highlighting a recent study undertaken by the LGBTIQ Domestic and Family Violence Interagency, Western Sydney University and ACON.

Home Is Where Our Story Begins explores family, community, and belonging for sexuality and gender diverse people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. It looks at the lived experiences of sexuality and gender diverse people in Greater Western Sydney.

We are joined today by ACON representative Eloise Layard - Community Health Promotion Officer specialising in Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence and Community Intern Erdem Yigiter both of whom were involved in the research.

Our host, the ever-faithful Harshi, joins us again after for another series... welcome back Harshi! We know there are many complexities within communities relating to being from a CALD background and being sexuality and gender diverse. We want to shine a light on the beautiful diversity that exists, helping to create safe and welcoming spaces and services for everyone in Western Sydney.

We celebrate and support all diversity, and we hope that this episode will educate listeners and start conversations and promote conversations that allow education and learning within our CALD community.

For more information on today’s episode, contact Marketing at Western Sydney MRC.

Background reading and links:

• Say it out Loud Report Home is Where our Story Begins report
• Marriage Equality in Australia
• ACON is a fiercely proud community organisation, striving to be a global leader in community health, inclusion and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders
• IDAHOBIT 2020 event - watch the launch of Home is Where our Story Begins report
• Liverpool Sexual Health Clinic
• Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre, a proud Welcome Here member
• Inclusive Communities Network.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Martin Peralta from Output Media for creating our theme music.