Who We Are

We are a strong voice for LGBTQ domestic violence victims and survivors, working to end domestic, family and intimate partner violence and abuse within LGBTQ communities.

Our Story

The LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation is a charity comprised of a collective of passionate volunteers, desperate to shine a light on an epidemic that’s been plaguing LGBTQ+ communities for far too long.

Although limited, research has indicated that over 60% of LGBTQ+ people have experienced domestic, family and intimate partner violence. This needs to change! On top of that, there is a fundamental lack of awareness, representation and understanding that this abuse is so prevalent. Because of this, LGBTQ+ people feel unseen and often have limited resources to draw from to get help.

It is the ambition of LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation to confront these issues and to advocate for necessary changes in both the visibility of LGBTQ+ people’s experiences and the quality of response they receive when reaching out for help. We aim to create change and bring greater awareness to the issues to ensure that all people no matter their sexuality or gender identity can feel seen and believed and receive safe and inclusive support.

To ensure that every victim’s voice was heard, in 2020 with the assistance of DVConnect, Ben Bjarnesen and Beck O’Connor established the inaugural LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day to raise awareness of Domestic and Family Violence in LGBTQ+ communities in Queensland, Australia. The campaign quickly gained support both within Australia and overseas with many high-profile figures showing their support for the day including Former Governor-General of Australia, The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO and the Prime Minister of Australia.

After the success of the 2020 campaign, Ben went on to establish the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation.

“Thank you for getting the word out there about domestic violence in gay relationships. I was in an abusive relationship many years ago but I didn’t realise it was that until I heard you speak and reflected on that relationship. Thank you for opening my eyes to this issue and no doubt you are doing the same for many others. It makes me shudder sometimes when I now think that I just suffered through the relationship not knowing what was happening at the time.”

Domestic Violence Survivor

Meet Our Board

Thanks must go to our board members for their incredible support and for volunteering their time to make LGBTQ+ communities safer for everyone.

Luke McIlroy-Ranga

Director (Chair)

A trusted strategist within Australasian and North American markets, Luke has advised on diversity and inclusion at all levels of government.

He has spearheaded several impact ventures, and led the reshaping of traditional policy and practice within the private sector, to aid in solving some of society’s toughest social and environmental issues.

Sue Webeck

Director (Deputy Chair)

Sue is the CEO of the Domestic Violence Crisis Service in the ACT, she is a LGBTIQA+ community advocate. She has been working in the community sector and aligned violence response and primary prevention spaces for over 20 years.

Macushla Londeman

Director (Company Secretary)

Macushla is a Human Resources professional who enjoys leading diverse teams and focussing on creating psychologically safe and inclusive workplaces.

Having spent the last 14 years working for various international organisations in Europe and Asia, she is very happy to have returned home to Australia.

Jarrod Lomas

Director

Jarrod has forged a successful career in politics, marketing, and communications, holding a Bachelor of Commerce, and has served at the highest levels of Federal Government.

Brayden White

Director (Treasurer)

Brayden is an experienced finance and corporate management professional with a background across both the Non-Profit and For-Profit environments.

State Coordinators

Katsu Shike

Queensland

Dan Magnussen

Australian Capital Territory

Serena Pantano

South Australia

Heather Preston

Western Australia

Jermaine Ostrofski

Northern Territory

Heidi Duffey

Tasmania

Patrons

The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO

The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO was born in Brisbane in 1942 and spent her early years in Ilfracombe, a small town in Central Western Queensland. In 1965, she graduated with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from The University of Queensland and, in the same year, was admitted to the Queensland Bar. She has since enjoyed a rich and distinguished career as an academic, lawyer, community and human rights advocate, senior public officer, university college principal, and vice-regal representative in Queensland, and now Australia.

Dame Quentin became a Patron for the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation in 2020.

Quentin Bryce’s contribution to advancing human rights and equality, the rights of women and children, and the welfare of the family was recognised in her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1988 and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2003. Also in 2003, she was invested as a Dame of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. On 25 March 2014, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that Ms Bryce had become a Dame in the Order of Australia.

Ms Bryce was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by Macquarie University (New South Wales) in 1998, an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by Charles Sturt University (New South Wales) in 2002, and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by The University of Queensland in 2006.
She was conferred with the degrees of Honorary Doctor of the University by Griffith University (Queensland) in 2003, Queensland University of Technology in 2004 and an Honorary Doctorate from James Cook University in 2008.
In 2010 Ms Bryce received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws, Sydney University, and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters, University of Western Sydney in 2012. In 2013 she was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Laws, Melbourne University.

In her civic role as Governor of Queensland, Ms Bryce continued her work with women, families and young people while extending her influence across the State’s broad and diverse spectrum, including the rural, regional, aged, indigenous, migrant, and disability sectors.

As a mother and grandmother, Ms Bryce is a role model and mentor to women at every stage of their lives. She values and encourages women’s capacity to form strong and enduring bonds of friendship, intellectual and emotional enrichment, and mutual support in their roles within the family, workplace and community.

On 5 September 2008 Quentin Bryce was sworn in as Australia’s twenty-fifth Governor-General. As the first woman to take up the office, she remains a pioneer in contemporary Australian society, and yet one who brings more than forty years of experience in reform, community building and leadership to the role.

Commissioner

Ro Allen

With 25 years’ experience in community services, governance and social justice, Ro Allen has a deep commitment to equality and a broad experience in strategic advocacy. As Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, Ro works to uphold Victorians’ rights, promote accountability and to build a fairer, safer and more inclusive community.

Prior to joining the Commission, Ro held a wide range of leadership roles including serving as the inaugural Victorian Commissioner for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Gender Diverse, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+) Communities. In this role, Ro worked tirelessly to promote the safety and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ Victorians, advocate for their rights, and provide strategic advice to the Victorian Government.

Ambassadors

Our ambassadors play an important role in promoting the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day and the Foundation’s work through their networks and communities.

Urzila Carlson

Multi Award-Winning Comedian, Best-Selling Author

Dustin Lance Black

Academy Award® Winning Filmmaker, Writer, and Social Activist

Deena Lynch

Multi-Faceted Creative Storyteller

Steve Pennells

Award-Winning Journalist

Ali Brigginshaw

Captain, Australian Jillaroos

Ben Cohen MBE

Rugby World Cup Winner and Activist

James Barr

Award-Winning Comedian and Podcaster

Vollie LaVont

Drag Icon

Ryan Johnson

Actor

Corporate Partners

Our fabulous corporate partners make an incredible difference to our ability to raise awareness and provide education and support to help end domestic and family violence in LGBTQ+ communities.