The Rainbow Program is a collection of RAQ service provisions, striving to support the mental health and wellbeing of people of diverse bodies, genders and sexualities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & intersex (LGBTI) people, as well as those questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation. We also support the families, allies and practitioners who, in turn, support those identifying as LGBTI or questioning.
Provided by a specialist counsellor with specialised skills, knowledge and experience in the area of LGBTIQA+ service provision, offering sessions both in person (primarily from our central hub in Spring Hill, Brisbane) and virtually. Our Rainbow Counselling Service is supported by a network of professionally trained counsellors across our venues. Our helpful contact centre staff can help you find a counsellor who is right for you.
Transcendence is a social and emotional support group for transgender and gender-diverse individuals, 18+, or those questioning their gender identity.
The groups operate in hybrid, ‘in person’ and virtual settings, from three locations:
Spring Hill, Brisbane group is held every third Tuesday of every month, from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Location: Relationships Australia. 159 St. Paul’s Terrace, Brisbane (just a short walk from Fortitude Valley Station).
Gold Coast group is held on the second Monday evening of each month, 6-8pm. Location: Relationships Australia. Level 1, Robina Super Centre, 86–104 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina (Near the Cheesecake shop and directly above ‘My First Gym’).
Sunshine Coast group is held on the first Tuesday evening of each month, 6-8pm. Relationships Australia. Millwell Road Community Centre, 11 Millwell Road East, Maroochydore.
Transcendence is a safe, confidential and friendly space, facilitated by experienced Counsellors. Participants share stories, and give and receive support and advice. Each month, participants discuss a different topic from a list brainstormed by the group itself.
Bookings are essential, however there is no cost to attend. Light refreshments are provided. Attendees will need to complete a brief intake with a counsellor prior to attending. Please contact our Call Centre on 1300 364 277 for more information on booking your initial attendance.
We look forward to welcoming you to Transcendence, where we invite you to be your authentic self and receive peer support from others within the TGDNB communities.
RAQ has been delivering LGBTI training to our staff across the state since 2009, helping them to become more confident and competent in working with LGBTI clients.
In early 2014 we began extending this training to other human services organisations and received overwhelmingly positive evaluations of our dynamic and experiential approach, as the following quotes from participants illustrate:
“Very thorough presentation. Excellent presenters. Learnt a lot today, thank you.”
“Loved this training! Opened my eyes to areas of peoples’ lives I had never considered.”.
“It was enlightening for me to learn that my acceptance of the Rainbow community did not necessarily mean a strong understanding. I have learnt a lot today, thank you.”
With a range of training modules offered, we can work with you to tailor a training program that meets your needs. To find out how the Rainbow Program at RAQ can help you and your staff to become more confident and competent in working appropriately with LGBTI clients, please contact Diversity and Inclusion Manager Ben Bolt on 1300 364 277.