RANZCOG was proud to march again alongside ACEM, ACRRM, ANZCA, NZCPHM, RACGP, RACP, RACS, RACMA, RANZCO, RANZCP, RANZCA and AGES as part of the Pride in Medicine float during the Mardi Gras parade this weekend. Thank you to Past President and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender-diverse, intersex, queer, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) ally Dr Vijay Roach for getting involved on behalf of the College.

“The Mardi Gras is a joyful celebration of all that we can be. I am proud to be an ally of people who model respect, inclusivity, warmth, and love,” Dr Vijay Roach.

Advocating for LGBTQIA+ people and their communities is more than just taking part in Mardi Gras. RANZCOG participates in Mardi Gras, not only to show our support for LGBTQIA+ communities, but to reassert our commitment to educating our members, trainees, and staff on inclusive and affirming LGBTQIA+ O&G healthcare practices.

RANZCOG supports the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals to be treated equally, fairly, and with dignity. The College is committed to achieving equitable accessibility to O&G healthcare for LGBTQIA+ people and their communities. This commitment extends to our LGBTQIA+ members, trainees and staff who have a right to an inclusive and safe workplace.

We continue to work with LGBTIQ+ Health Australia to advocate for accurate representation of LGBTQIA+ people in the Australian national Census. RANZCOG believes that the Census should reflect the diversity of our communities to ensure true data is collected for the planning and provision of healthcare services for all.

RANZCOG is committed to providing welcoming spaces for all people accessing our College and specialist services. The Gendered Language Project actively examines how RANZCOG can best approach and implement positive change for trans and gender-diverse inclusive language. Following College committee and working group consultation, the project will now engage with external stakeholder groups.

RANZCOG provides learning and CPD opportunities, educational resources for RANZCOG staff, and policies that protect people’s rights. The LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Practice resource hub, which can be accessed via Acquire, features articles, webinars, healthcare resources, film, podcasts, and websites, which can be used by members and trainees to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community, and gender and sexuality inclusive practice.

At this year’s Annual Scientific Meeting Partnerships in Practice (Wellington, 14-16 October), delegates will have the opportunity to participate in the LGBTQIA+ Health: Gender and Diversity session, where we will hear from LGBTQIA+ consumers on their lived experience accessing O&G services, and LGBTQIA+ colleagues on cultural safety. The session will also include time to discuss and learn about service level approaches to improving LGBTQIA+ O&G experiences. The Regional Symposium Stronger Together – Bridging Differences & Distances (Glenelg, 13-14 April) will see Dr Kate Martin talk to us about ongoing trans affirming healthcare in regional areas, while Dr Ana McCarthy will discuss transgender endocrinology in gynaecological care.

There is much more to be done in the LGBTQIA+ O&G and health space. As the College works towards equity, we encourage members and trainees to get involved in College submissions and learning.

Want to get involved in submissions? Email us at advocacy@ranzcog.edu.au

For media enquiries
Bec McPhee
Manager, Executive Office & Advocacy
0413 258 166
bmcphee@ranzcog.edu.au