The Thorne Harbour Health team is convening a gender inclusive community forum at The Laird this Sunday to continue a conversation that began after a series of online-targeted attacks against gay and bisexual men. The meeting will provide an opportunity to receive updates, ask questions, and find out how people can contribute to a broader public process examining anti-LGBTIQA+ harms. Attendees will hear how community testimony is being collected to shape submissions to Parliament and what practical steps individuals can take to improve personal safety and access support.
The previous gathering organised by Thorne Harbour Health focused on safety when using dating apps and other online tools after a number of assaults led to arrests. That event filled The Laird with community members seeking reliable information and peer-to-peer exchange. Organisers say the in-person format allowed for candid sharing of experiences, helped people connect with services, and strengthened the public record about the scale of the problem. The upcoming session will build on that momentum and help people understand how their stories can influence policy.
Why this forum matters
This meeting responds to an urgent need for community-led evidence about tech-facilitated violence and other targeted attacks. The issues under discussion are not only individual safety concerns but also part of a broader social pattern that the Victorian Inquiry is examining. Forums like this make it easier for people to learn how to report incidents, locate support services, and contribute testimony that can be used in parliamentary submissions. By combining practical guidance with the collection of voluntary accounts, the community can ensure that policy responses reflect lived realities rather than abstract descriptions.
What the parliamentary inquiry is looking at
The Legal and Social Issues Committee is investigating how online influencers and organised hate networks target LGBTQIA+ people, with attention to extremist currents that exploit social platforms. The Inquiry considers content including far-right rhetoric, misogynistic messages and homophobic material described in some circles as alpha-male content. The Parliamentary Inquiry’s report into anti-LGBTQIA+ hate crimes is due in September. Its aim is to identify measures to protect young people from hateful influences and strengthen support for victim-survivors.
How community testimony is being gathered
Thorne Harbour Health has invited voluntary accounts from people affected by online harassment and physical assaults to inform submissions to the Inquiry. Those accounts can be shared directly by individuals or compiled by community organisations on behalf of participants; both approaches help ensure that recommendations reflect the full range of experiences. Organisers emphasise the importance of centring lived experience so submissions show the true scale and impact of abuse. Confidentiality and participant safety are priorities when collecting sensitive material intended for parliamentary consideration.
Why first-hand stories change policy
Deputy Director of Health Promotion & Community Engagement Caleb Hawk describes the forums as a space where people can exchange critical information and be heard. He has said that hearing stories in person made the previous session feel “raw” but instrumental in moving public and government conversations forward. The forums have focused on how to stay safe online, where to find support, and how to report incidents of tech-facilitated violence. Contributing personal testimony can be a powerful way to influence recommendations and help elected officials grasp the urgency of reform.
How to attend and what to expect
The all-gender forum will be held at The Laird in Abbotsford from 2:30 – 3:30 pm. Registration is encouraged but not required. To protect participants, the organisers will not record the session and it will not be available via virtual streaming. The meeting is open to anyone who wishes to attend, but organisers note that there will be discussion of challenging subjects such as violence toward LGBTQIA+ communities and the emotional impact of sharing these experiences. People are encouraged to consider their needs and use available supports while participating.
For those seeking ongoing coverage and community reporting on these issues, local outlets such as QNews provide news and stories from the LGBTIQA+ community. The forum at The Laird is intended to both inform individuals and contribute to the collective record that will help shape legal and social responses to online hate.