PRISM 10 Aims

PRISM10 is a social support group/service for young people aged between 14-24 who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, queer or questioning their sexuality and who are living, studying, working or hanging out in the City of Hume. We meet up every fortnight and we design our own projects and events. We visit other projects and go to events throughout the year, that you want to go to.

Prism 10 aims to provide all those who attend with:

1. A safe space in which to share and explore their experiences among other young people questioning their sexuality.
2. An opportunity to meet and hang out with other same-sex attracted young people.
3. Support to enhance their connectedness to school, family, peers and the community by exploring strategies to deal with homophobia, bullying and rejection.
4. An opportunity to discuss issues that you wish to talk about and how they may impact on your life and community, particularly risk taking or self harming behaviour, coming out, safe sex, and rejection and acceptance by family, friends, peers and the broader community.
5. An opportunity to gain information, support, linkages and referrals.
6. Community outings and recreational activities as decided by those who attend (e.g.: Midsumma Carnival, Queer Film Festival, Y-GLAM Plays and various other outings)

Prism 10 History

A same sex attracted and transgender youth Group was run in Broadmeadows in 2006. However the group's activity was discontinued due to the cessation of funding. Due to its success, the young people who participated in the program tried very hard to reactivate the group. After several attempts to obtain funding, the Reichstein Foundation decided not only to support the original project but also to provide additional funding in order to incorporate into the project a greater focus on implementing structural change for same sex attracted and transgender young people in the City of Hume.

The project ran with the funding from Reichstein Foundation from 2007 to 2009. This funding has since ceased but the project continues to be run at Banksia Gardens with help from a dedicated team at Banksia. As we are not currently funded the scope what we could do and the reach of this project is not nearly as large as it could and should be. This being said, we are always on the look out for funding and support for this project to continue and grow.

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What's in a name?

Once called YADI, which as an acronym for – Youth Addressing Diversity Issues, the name was open to some discussion in 2009 and a need for a change, the young people within the group put their heads together and came up with PRISM 10.

1. The idea of the prism relates to common physics knowledge that when white light shines through a prism, a rainbow comes out the other side. The prism is a metaphor for the project/group, in that, when we talk about our issues, share our stories with others and engage in activism - the WHITE LIGHT (homophobia, isolation, low self esteem) shines through a “PRISM” and out the end comes the RAINBOW (colour, life, acceptance and a common symbol for the GLBTIQ community).
2. The addition of the number “10” to the name relates to the statistics on the number of same-sex attracted people in society. Whist there is many differing statistics relative to geography and age categories, a common statistic known to many is that around 10% of people are same-sex attracted. Recent research in Australia has suggested that this number is much higher for young people.

Friends of Prism 10

• Facebook – Prism10 Group
• Facebook - Prism10 (Add as friend)
• It Gets Better Australia - YouTube
• Also Foundation
• Minus 18 (dance parties, social events, workshops for 18 yrs and under)
• Family Access Network/ALSORTS (Housing for SSAT youth)
• Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria
• Gay and Lesbian Switchboard (Anonymous, free telephone counselling, referrals and information for lgtib community members)
• PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gay)
• Coming Out Australia
• Not so Straight (great information for young people)
• Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council (lists GLBTIQ cultural/religious groups, i.e.: Middle Eastern, South Asian, Jewish, Muslim, Italian etc)

Prism 10 Important Information 

Coming Out

‘Coming Out’ about your true gender and/or sexuality is a tough choice-and it’s YOUR choice. Wait until you are ready. You don’t have to do it all at once.

Get some support & information first-see resources in this flyer and  most importantly-stay safe. You have a right to be safe & well in your home, school & social lives.

Supporting Others

Supporting other people-like friends & family members– with their gender & sexuality issues can be tough but is also a great thing to do. 

Remember:

The most important thing is to listen & be there for your friend or family member.

You don’t have to know all the answers.

Never push somebody to tell you more than they are comfortable with, or to come out before they are ready.

Find out more information (in this brochure, and online) to share with your friends & families.

If you feel like the situation is getting too complicated for you to handle on your own, talk with someone you trust. It could be your friends, family, teachers or counselors.

This list is continuously updated. If you want to add a link, please  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Download our flier and find out how to contact/join/inquire about PRISM10