Rainbow Yarra
Rainbow Yarra supports and celebrates diversity, connection and an inclusive Yarra.
What is Rainbow Yarra?
Rainbow Yarra was created alongside the Rainbow Advisory Committee following the release of Yarra's first LGBTIQA+ Strategy 2021-2024 to create and implement the Rainbow Yarra Policy [ PDF, 1.6 MB] .
Yarra is proudly known as home, and a safe place for the wonderfully diverse LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Asexual and Agender) communities. Rainbow Yarra aims to advocate for inclusivity and equality within the broader community.
Keep scrolling to find local community groups, venues & queer spaces in Yarra!
Our current strategy is about:
- welcoming and celebrating diversity
- an inclusive Yarra
- supporting, participating, and connecting.
Since implementing the LGBTIQA+ strategy, Yarra flies the full spectrum of Pride Flags across thetown halls on particular days of significance. Yarra is proudly the first local government to lead the way on Rainbow Visibility.
In 2022, Rainbow Yarra launched a brand identity for external partnerships and events in the community. The visual components represent a person embracing the diverse rainbow, which has a full spectrum of colours, including additional shades of black and brown to acknowledge the First Nations & multicultural intersections that exist within the community.
Yarra is proudly home to the Queerways Mural and walking podcast tour, which recognises important and historical LGBTIQA+ places in Yarra.
Queer Lives Here
Yarra is where Queer people live, work, and play.
Visibility matters, but safety is non-negotiable. Whether you are catching a drag show on Smith Street, working in a local office, or heading home to a Fitzroy, you belong here. When that belonging is threatened by discrimination, harassment, or abuse, knowing how to respond is your power.
Reporting: Your quick-action guide
| If the situation is... | Report To | Why this pathway? | Keep in mind... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate threat, violence, or physical harm | Victoria Police
| Best for immediate safety and criminal prosecution of hate crimes. | Police focus on criminal law; lower-level verbal abuse may not meet their threshold. |
| Workplace bias or being refused service | Equal Opportunity Commission (VEOHRC) | Best for holding employers or venues accountable under discrimination laws. | This is a civil mediation process; it can take time and is not for emergencies. |
| Targeted online hate or image-based abuse | eSafety Commissioner | Best for getting abusive content removed from digital platforms quickly. | Their powers are limited strictly to the digital world, not physical incidents. |
| Harassment in a local shop, bar, or park | Venue Manager + City of Yarra | Best for local accountability and improving safety in public spaces. | These are not enforcement bodies; they focus on local policy and venue bans. |
Creating safer spaces
For businesses
- Visible Standards: Display a 'Zero Tolerance' policy. If a customer is being harassed, your staff should know exactly how to de-escalate and remove the aggressor.
- Inclusive Admin: Ensure your intake forms, booking systems, and gendered facilities reflect the reality of our community.
For individuals
- Show Up: Support Queer-owned businesses and community events. Your presence builds the 'density of safety' that makes Yarra vibrant.
- Report as a Witness: You don't have to be the victim to report an incident. Reporting as a witness provides vital data to Council and Police.
Support services
You don't have to navigate this alone. Reach out to these specialist services for advice or a safe place to talk.
- Rainbow Door: 1800 729 367 (Support & Referrals)
- QLife: 1800 184 527 (Peer Support, 3pm – midnight)
- Thorne Harbour Health: Specialist counseling and LGBTIQ+ health.
- Minus18: Leading support for LGBTIQ+ youth.
Rainbow Advisory Committee
The Rainbow Advisory Committee provides information, support and advice, and a mechanism for communication and consultation between LGBTIQA+ communities and Council on issues affecting the LGBTIQA+ community.
Queer Is - Rainbow Visibility Campaign
The Queer Is... campaign champions Yarra’s diverse and vibrant LGBTIQA+ community, asking them what it means to be queer in Yarra, telling their stories and sharing their experiences in their own words through a series of street posters and online content.
"This new campaign builds on Yarra’s existing support and solidarity with our LGBTIQA+ community” said Yarra's Mayor in 2024, Edward Crossland.
“We’re very lucky to have such a bold, diverse and vibrant queer community in Yarra, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate them through the Queer Is... campaign.”
The strategy is about welcoming and celebrating diversity, connecting people and services, supporting Yarra’s LGBTIQA+ communities and creating an inclusive Yarra.
The posters are A3 and downloadable for digital use or printing out and sticking up around your workplace, business, venue, school or community space. Click on the link below to download the Queer Is campaign poster files.
Trans Awareness
Trans Awareness Week (13 to 19 November) is a week of celebrating transgender pride. It's a week-long opportunity for trans allies to engage in education and learn how to elevate the voices of our community. It's important to back up your activity with conversation, and meaningful actions. We mark Trans Day of Visibility and Trans Day of Remembrance during this week. Representatives from Yarra's trans and gender diverse communities will speak about their experiences.
Bisexuality visibility
Bisexual Visibility Day (23 September) is a day to celebrate anyone who is multi-gender attracted and raise awareness of the challenges and prejudices faced by the bisexual, pansexual and biromantic community. Bisexual people make up the largest portion of the LGBTIQA+ community, but often don't feel able to come out due to prejudice from their peers. Representatives from Yarra's multi-gender attracted communities speak about their experiences.
Local Rainbow Directory
Evies Disco Diner. One of Melbourne's most iconic inclusive and queer leaning venues, inspired by New York City in the 80s. 230/232 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.
Grouse. Retro-modern bar and cafeteria. 171 Smith Street, Fitzroy.
Rock Salt and Vinegar. Licenced queer owned and run eatery, by the iconic drag star, Aysha Buffet! 258 Smith St, Collingwood
The 86. Cabaret club with cocktails, Pan-Asian food and drag shows. 185 Smith Street, Fitzroy.
The Laird. One of Australia's longest running gay-owned and operated venues. 149 Gipps Street, Abbotsford.
The Shady Lady. Vegan, puppy and LBGTI friendly dive bar. 36 Johnston Street, Fitzroy.
The Fox Hotel. Old converted pub turned modern eatery. 351 Wellington Street, Collingwood.
UBQ. Gay and Lesbian functions, karaoke and bar. 95-97 Smith St, Fitzroy
Wet on Wellington. Gay spa and sauna with bar and function rooms. 162 Wellington Street, Collingwood.
Yah Yah's Thursgay. Weekly queer party featuring rotating DJs at a hip rock bar. 99 Smith Street, Fitzroy.
Mollie's Bar and Diner. LGBTQI+ community centric venue. Level 1/103-105 Smith Street, Fitzroy.
The Peel Hotel. Proudly serving gay Melbourne men since 1988. 46 Peel Street, Collingwood.
Eagle Leather. Adult fetish and entertainment store. 80 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford.
Mannhaus. Gay leather store. 1/139 Langridge Street.
Li'Rann Dance. Dance classes and choreography, promoting degendering in dance. Various locations.
Lucrezia and De Sade. Adult fetish and entertainment store. 441 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.
Passionfruit Sensuality Shop. Adult toys, lingerie and education. 414 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.
Piercing HQ. State of the art, specialty body modification studio. 1B 12 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford.
Rose Chong Costumiers. Costumes and wigs. 218 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Co Health. Not-for-profit community health organisation providing health and support services in Melbourne's CBD, and northern and western suburbs.
Equinox. Trans and gender diverse sexual health clinic. Phone 03 9416 2889
Northside Clinic. LGBTIQA+ Inclusive GP clinic. Phone 03 9485 7700
Thorne Harbour Health. Providing a range of services which include prevention education, treatment and care of PLHIV and counselling services. Phone 03 9865 6700.
Queerspace. Safe and supportive space to obtain information and access services aimed at improving the health and well-being of LGBTIQ+ communities. Phone 03 9663 6733.
Sound Osteopathy. Safe, gender affirming, LGBTIQA+ inclusive allied health clinic. Phone: 03 9416 0258.
Seekers. LGBTQIA+ owned and operated optometry practice. 203 Gertrude St, Fitzroy