History

{also} was originally established as the Alternative Life Styles Organisation in December 1980 and is now the largest broadly focused GLBTIQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer) philanthropic organisation in Australia. {also} was formed by a small group of people following the celebration of the decriminalisation of homosexuality by the (then) Hamer government. The organisation grew slowly in the early eighties with one of its initial aims identified as endeavouring to address the needs of aging gays and lesbians. The AIDS crisis led to a significant refocus and {also} subsequently assisted in establishing The Victorian AIDS Support Group which eventually separated from {also} and became the Victorian AIDS Council.

Through the eighties many new groups were initiated or assisted by {also}, including such familiar groups as "ALSOUNDS" now well known as the Gay and Lesbian Chorus, Vintage Men, PFLAG  Minus 18, Melbourne Aids Memorial Candlelight Vigil, Joy FM  initial grants and funding for a transmitter, Midsumma Festival, Bent TV, Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, Outblack Koorie Gay Support Social Group, Melbourne Rainbow Band, Coalition of Lesbian Activists and many more. The primary means of support was in the form of grants  essentially to enable a new group to get started, from here the group was expected to become self-funding.

To support this activity and meet the growing demand for resources, new sources of funds were required in addition to memberships. Dance parties paved the way as a profitable solution giving gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people the opportunity to attend first class events while supporting their own community. Among the early events was the first Fantasy Ball. Dance parties have consistently provided the major source of funding for {also}. Since 1983 Red Raw, Resurrection, Winterdaze and New Years Eve parties - have essentially enabled {also} to distribute over 1.2 Million dollars to the community.

Coordinating dance parties and keeping the organisation running has required an enormous effort from volunteers and a small but dedicated team of staff. Volunteers remain the backbone of {also} – the Board of Management is entirely voluntary and many of the projects run by {also} are volunteer based.

During the eighties, {also} established an office in Ross House, Flinders Lane, Melbourne. It then moved to Cato Street Prahran for 8 and in February of 2002 {also} relocated to, the Victorian Aids Council (VAC)/Gay Men's Health Centre Building, Level 1, 6 Claremont Street, South Yarra.

In 1989, the first {also} Community Directory was published. Over the years the directory has continued to be published annually and has gone from strength to strength; serving as a quick and easy guide for the GLBTIQ community to access both community and commercial listings. The popularity of the directory continues to grow, as it provides quality information on businesses and community groups that provide support services and programs within the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer community.

{also} has conducted many research projects into areas relevant to the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (GLBTIQ) community. Community support and development is a prime focus for {also}. The Rural Outreach project investigated issues faced by gay men, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people living in rural areas and resulted in the establishment of the Victorian Rural GLBTIQ Network. This important initiative enables sharing of resources, information exchange and an opportunity to come together for social activities, fun and mutual support.

{also} is currently revisiting one of its initial aims -  the care of the older GLBTIQ people. During 2000 - 2001 an Older Person's Needs Assessment Project was instigated to investigate the needs of GLBTIQ seniors in Victoria. This research consisted of confidential interviews with members of the older GLBTIQ community - assessing needs, issues and concerns. Positive image posters of older GLBT people were also produced to increase community awareness as part of this project. In 2003 the information collected from these interviews led to the production of The Needs of Older Gay, Lesbian and Transgender People Report. The report was followed up in mid 2003 with three community forums targeting Victorian GLBT seniors. Based on feedback from these forums a Strategic Action Plan titled "About Time! GLBTI Seniors ALSO Matter" was produced and includes community-identified themes for GLBTI seniors.

Other initiatives include a Coming Out Kit, a Community Outreach Project, and creating links with Universities and tertiary institutions to encourage interested students to complete their placements with {also}. Political involvement for 2000 included representation on the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Gay and Lesbian Health, and also on the Attorney General Advisory Committee on Same-Sex Attracted Relationships. In 2004 {also} facilitated "Making It Equal -  Achieving Federal Gay and Lesbian Law Reform". The aims of this project was to discuss and document an agreed national law reform agenda relating to gay and lesbian rights, to be used as the foundation to 2004 federal election campaign strategies.

 In May 2005 {also} committed itself to open a transitional youth housing service. This service will be based in metropolitan Melbourne and will provide medium to long-term accommodation for same sex attracted and transgender (SSAT) youth. Recently named ALSORTS Youth Housing Service, the service was officially launched on Monday 19th June 2006 and will have it's first tenants by mid August 2006.

{also} leads the way into the 21st century fostering and advancing the status of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (GLBTIQ) community as worthwhile and contributing members of the broader community and assisting to create a vibrant and strong community. {also} is a part of the City Village, a community initiative of Melbourne City Council at Level 8, 225 Bourke st Melbourne in May 2008 which creates accessible space for community groups in the CBD.