Meridian ACT

30/08/2026

Do you want to contribute to a masters study on the importance of informal mental health support in LGBTQIA+ communities?

The study is being conducted from the ACAP University College and will examine the relationships of such support between perceived importance of LGBTQIA+ identity, experiences of stigma and mental health outcomes. It is open to LGBTQIA+ adults living in Australia and should take no more than 20 minutes to complete.

If you have any questions regarding the study or the survey, please email [email protected].

https://acap.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_beIJsjlGoDFtkeq

ACAP University College Human Research Ethics Committee (Approval Number: 985020626)

28/08/2026

If you're trans or gender diverse (or you're playing with a partner who is), s*x can be an amazing source of gender euphoria.

Gender affirmation and transition can change how you experience s*xual pleasure, both mentally and physically. It might feel sensual, exciting, intimidating, frustrating or like exploring completely new territory. Embrace euphoria where you can!

Tips to bring gender euphoria into s*x:
💑 Pick partners who affirm you: it seems obvious, but make sure people you play with respect your identity, centre your pleasure and help you feel safe.
💬 Communicate with your partner/s and set clear boundaries for how and where you want to be touched.
👄 Choose language that feels right for you and your body/parts.
❓ Explore what feels good for you in this moment; it's ok if what you want or like changes over time.
🫦 Get creative and find pleasure tools that give or enhance sensations you enjoy
🛏️ Use solo play to find out what you like.

Remember: gender affirming hormones are not contraception. If you're using them, be sure to use condoms or other barrier methods and communicate with your partner/s about preventing pregnancy and STI transmission.

Read more about gender euphoria, dysphoria and body image at www.messy.org.au/identity-intimacy-relationships.

28/08/2026

We're Wearing it Purple today at Meridian! The team held a Wear It Purple Day morning tea, while listening to legendary music with meaning for the LGBTQ+ community, including some Dolly Parton (forever a queen) and songs from The Rocky Horror Picture Show in memory of Tim Curry.

We'd love to see your purple fits today; post a photo in the comments!

27/08/2026

Thanks to Nick from Canberra Daily for helping to raise awareness of the importance of Wear It Purple Day and how everyone can contribute to creating a safer, more inclusive society for LGBTQ+ young people.

Canberra may be progressive, but many LGBTQIA+ young people still face fear, prejudice and uncertainty simply for living openly.

27/08/2026

Are you joining us in wearing purple today to show support for LGBTQ+ young people?

This year's theme is Colours of Change.

“Courage is not just expressed in big moments, but in everyday choices to live proudly and invite others into understanding, acceptance and celebration.”

We'd love to see photos of you in your purple best!

26/08/2026

Does it feel like the days are running away from you?

A simple way to recenter & get clarity is to take a DEEP breath (or 3).

1. Notice any rushing or overwhelm.
2. Breath in through your nose.
3. Fill your lungs... then fill them some more!
4. Hold for a moment.
5. Breath out fully through your mouth.

If possible, repeat this a few times.

If things continue to feel overwhelming despite this practice, consider checking in on how you’re travelling. Maybe it’s time to talk to someone you trust or to one of our counsellors.

25/08/2026

Our Care Finder team exists to make a difference for older people in our community.

The world of aged care seems to be increasingly more complicated. Recent changes to the system have many confused and seeking help to understand how to get the best care for themselves or their loved ones.

Our clients and their families regularly tell us how relieved they are to have our Care finders step them through the process, and we all celebrate when we see our clients getting the practical help they deserve thanks to the work of our team.

A family member of one of our Care finder clients recently demonstrated this with a short but important piece of feedback: “I really don’t know what mum and dad or myself would have done without your help and guidance.”

We’re pleased to be having this positive impact for people who deserve support after a life of helping others.

Find out more at https://www.meridianact.org.au/meridian_care_finder

25/08/2026

At Meridian on the first Tuesday of each month, you can get free help from 2 great clinics:

💰 The Care Inc Financial Counselling Service Mobile Debt Clinic from 2 to 5pm at the Meridian offices can help if you’re having financial issues, providing free & confidential help around loans, debts, bank disputes, insurance matters and more.

Drop ins welcome; appointments also available. If you'd like to register, visit https://forms.office.com/r/DeBp8Gznw3 or email [email protected]

🧑‍⚖️ From 2:30 to 4:30pm, Legal Aid ACT can help with one-off legal advice for our LGBTIQA+ community members at their Civic offices. This service is by appointment only; call 02 6257 2855 to book.

📅 The next clinics are on 1 September and 6 October.

23/08/2026

📅 Mark your calendars with upcoming events at Meridian and around Canberra!

At Meridian over the coming fortnight, we have:
💲 1 September, 2 to 5pm: Get free and confidential help around loans, debts, bank disputes, insurance matters and more at Care Consumer Law's monthly Mobile Debt Clinic.
⚖️ 1 September, 2:30 to 4:30pm: Get free one-off legal advice from Legal Aid ACT at our monthly LGBTIQA+ Legal Advice Service. ❗Please note: Times have changed and appointments are now held at Legal Aid ACT's offices at 2 Allsop St, Canberra.

Find out about these and more at www.meridianact.org.au/events

Other events happening around Canberra that might interest you include:
🎟️ 26 August, 1 to 1:45pm: Optimise+ and the national mapping of LGBTQ+ community-controlled mental health and AOD services, a policy webinar https://www.lgbtiqhealth.org.au/webinar_optimise_national_mapping_of_lgbtq_community-controlled_services_20260826
🎟️ 28 August: Wear it Purple Day. The 2026 theme is ‘Colours of Courage,’ celebrating the many forms of courage shown by LGBTQIA+SB young people, allies and communities every day. https://www.wearitpurple.org/wear-it-purple-day-2026
🎟️ 29 August from 9pm: Fruit Bowl dance party at Chi Chiz https://events.humanitix.com/fruitbowl-zesty-launch-party
🎟️ 30 August, 10am to 12pm: Q***r Book Club Canberra at the CBR Pride Hub https://www.instagram.com/queerbookclubcbr/
🎟️ 30 August, 12 to 2:30pm: Pride Cup Lawn Bowls at Canberra North Bowls Club, in conjunction with Sport Your Pride https://events.humanitix.com/pride-cup-lawn-bowls-the-ruc
🎟️ 2 September, 6:30 to 9pm: Flesh Q***r Life Drawing https://events.humanitix.com/host/flesh-queer-life-drawing
🎟️ 3 September: Building workplace inclusion for trans and gender diverse people, a webinar exploring the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Equal Identities report https://www.dca.org.au/event/building-workplace-inclusion-for-trans-and-gender-diverse-people
🎟️ 5 September, 10am to 3pm: Paint your colour, a collaborative community art experience celebrating the diversity of our community and highlighting our shared purpose—to reduce stigma, encourage understanding and remind people that support is available. At the Laneways, Tuggeranong.
🎟️ 6 September, 2 to 4pm: Q***r crafting with the Community Toolbox Canberra at the CBR Pride Hub. https://www.communitytoolboxcbr.org/event-calendar

22/08/2026

Wear It Purple Day is coming up on Friday 28 August. Are you going to wear the Colours of Courage?

The 'Colours of Courage' theme for 2026 celebrates the many different forms of courage shown by LGBTQIA+SB young people, allies and communities every day.

Courage can look like speaking up, standing out and creating change. It can also take quieter forms of bravery, like living authentically, coming out, asking for support, standing beside someone or choosing pride and hope in spaces where being yourself does not always feel easy.

It takes courage to push for change in schools, workplaces, communities and institutions where conversations about LGBTQIA+SB lives do not always happen. We also celebrate the allies who choose to stand up, speak out and ask what they can do to help create safer, more inclusive spaces.