Many different individuals

ACON began in 1985 as the GLBT community response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and has remained part of that community ever since. Most, but not all, of our staff come from that community as do most, but not all, of our clients.

When we speak of the GLBT community we use the term community (singular) not because we think that this community is one homogenous group - far from it. We recognise that the GLBT community is made up of many individuals of differing sex, gender, sexuality, age, race, religious, social, economic, geographic and other backgrounds. But we see diversity as a strength to be embraced and celebrated not a point for division, so we speak of one community even though it has many parts.

We are being more explicit than in the past about the programs we deliver for people who may not be part of the GLBT community but who, from time to time, intersect with that community, such as nongay-identifying men who have sex with men (MSM). When we speak of communities (plural) in the plan we include this group. We are also being more explicit about our role in providing services to people with HIV who are not part of the GLBT community, in particular women with HIV, and again, they are included when we use the word communities.

More info

Contact: ACON's Media and Communications Team

Tel: (02) 9206 2001
Free Call: 1800 063 060
Hearing Impaired: (02) 9283 2053

Email: mbadorrek@acon.org.au