ACON’s Michael Atkinson said a NSW parliamentary inquiry into gay and transgender hate crime was relevant to Dubbo residents. 

“We are encouraging any member of the LGBTIQA +  community who has experienced hate-based violence or assault between 1970 and 2010 to provide a submission to the parliamentary inquiry,” he said.

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Central West Rainbow Alliance president Nic Steepe said there would be members of the Dubbo LGBTIQA community willing to make a submission.

“I think a lot of violence towards our community goes unreported,” he said. 

“I know of incidences of violence in the past and we are trying to create an environment where people feel they can come forward and report them and that they will be supported and taken seriously. I think with ACON leading the charge that will definitely be the case.

“I encourage people to come forward and make a submission and to work with ACON to achieve justice and increase visibility around this issue.”

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Mr Atkinson said growing up in regional areas and being different can be quite frightening.

“It can be a challenge and when people experience violence on top of that the impact can be felt for a long time,” he said. “So anyone that has experienced violence, harassment or bullying at school, at a workplace, in a public setting, anywhere homophobia or trans-phobia is directed at you-you need to feel that they have the ability to find recourse.

“People can contact me at ACON or on our website and we will help them make a submission, we also have a team that does outreach work in Dubbo, they are happy to help, it is a simple process to make a submission, it does not have to be lengthy, any submission is worthy and welcome.”

Submissions close on November 7. Call ACON on 9206 2000 or https://www.acon.org.au/