BY EMILIO LANERA 

A Monash University student is putting his hand up to join a new LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee, as Monash City Council works through community member nominations. 

Pierce Soulsby, currently studying a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, has nominated himself for the committee that was approved by the council in December last year.

The committee’s role will be to give Monash council advice on policy, plans and funding that affect LGBTIQA+ groups.

Mr Soulsby said he wanted to join to help make his local community inclusive for all residents.

“I think this committee will help Monash be more adaptive to the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community and make sure they are being heard and taken into account,” Mr Soulsby said.

The JD student was unsuccessful in his bid for a Monash councillor role last year, but he remains eager to be a voice for those that identify as LGBTQIA+. 

“When I ran in the Monash Council election, and when I came out very publicly as bisexual, I did it to promote that sense of belonging,” Mr Soulsby said.

“I haven’t given up on these people,” he said.

“I’m very much putting my back into this and if appointed by those in charge of the process, I want to continue campaigning for my local community in that capacity.”

Mr Soulsby’s top priority is helping LGBTIQA+ people connect with the rest of the Monash community through educational, social and cultural events.

“Monash is a proudly multicultural area, but as is the case in most areas, many folk have not been exposed to people from the LGBTQIA+ community,” Mr Soulsby said.

“Consequently, prejudices and ignorance persist which can make us feel othered, frustrated, and shunned.” 

Mr Soulsby would also like to help establish better mental health services for the LGBTQIA+ members of his community. 

“The experience of being othered [affected] my mental health and it took me a long time to work through,” Mr Soulsby said.

“It is why I am very focused on issues of being disconnected.

“Greater mental health coordination is something that I would want to push, not only within Monash, but in collaboration with other councils.”

Victorian Pride Lobby co-convener Nevena Spirovska said seven other councils have created LGBTIQA+ advisory committees since the 2020 local council elections.

“We stand ready to work with any councillor or council officer interested in establishing an LGBTIQA+ advisory committee at their council,” Ms Spirovska said.

In 2020, The Victorian Pride Lobby ran the Rainbow Local Government campaign where councillors who took a pledge received a rainbow tick accreditation.

Monash City Council mayor Brian Little said the committee’s role is to provide the council with advice on strengthening LGBTIQA+ representation and inclusion.

“Council endorsed the new LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee at the December, 15 2020 council meeting as part of its ongoing commitment...to contribute to the development and implementation of council’s LGBTIQA+ Action Plan,” Cr Little said.

“The three councillors who have been nominated for the LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee will assess the nominations in April and hope to have the new members endorsed at the April Council meeting,” he said.

All LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee positions are voluntary positions and those selected are expected to meet bi-monthly for a two hour meeting, the first being held in June.

Cr Little said there were no age restrictions on who can apply, hoping young residents will also get an opportunity to be heard and supported.