As we approach the end of Pride Month and commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, we’re reminded of the power of community-led action. Stonewall was a turning point—led by LGBTQIA+ people (specifically trans women of colour) resisting discrimination, demanding visibility, and creating space for care and survival.
At Justice Q, we carry that legacy forward in our own way. As a service run by and for LGBTQIA+ people, we know legal support works best when it’s grounded in trust, safety, and community.
We want to thank everyone who has supported us during Pride Month—through fundraising, amplifying our work, and listening to our stories. Your support means that people like Alex* can access the help they need.
Alex is a young trans person who came to us after being kicked out of home for coming out. Their family’s faith and cultural beliefs meant they could never accept Alex for who they are.
Alex had always been close to their mum, but suddenly that didn’t seem to matter. All contact was completely cut off, leaving Alex completely alone. They didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye to their brother and sisters.
They found themselves sleeping on a friend’s couch. Everything Alex owned was in the family home – including their passport and birth certificate. Without these documents, Alex couldn’t apply for Youth Allowance. And they couldn’t update their name and gender markers, either.
Thankfully, Alex found Justice Q through an event at Dandenong Library. We explained that some of the challenges Alex was facing actually had legal solutions.
Alex first came to Justice Q feeling exhausted. Like many, they had tried reaching out to other services in the past, only to be met with indifference—or told to strip their story of anything too emotional or too complex.
“I had never been sympathised with and understood as much as through you guys. Sharing my story and my circumstances was important to youse. I didn’t have to separate the emotion from the logic like I had to with other services.”
With Justice Q, Alex didn’t have to filter their story. We took our time. We listened. And over weeks and months, we supported them through housing instability, Centrelink barriers, and identity document changes.
“You were willing to listen and took your time.”
For Alex, it wasn’t just about getting the right legal information—it was about having someone stick with them until things were actually resolved.
“I never received anything as focused as this – there was follow-up. You’d be willing to be on the phone with you all day until you get it sorted.”
And crucially, the service was accessible. It felt safe. It felt human.
“I had never been understood as much as through you guys,” said Alex. “You were willing to listen. Ever since knowing about Justice Q, I felt a big weight off my shoulders.”
Since launching in October last year, Justice Q has supported 63 clients. Many are newly arrived migrants or navigating complex mental health issues. What unites them is not just legal vulnerability, but the bravery it takes to reach out—and the need for support that doesn’t ask them to leave parts of themselves behind.
“Since I got help from you guys, friends of mine have rung up and asked for advice. We’ve all really appreciated the help.”
Justice Q is a small program with deep roots in community care. We exist because of the people who trust us with their stories—and because of the ongoing support from those who believe services should be shaped by the communities they serve.
If you’d like to support our work with Justice Q, please get in touch or share this post.
We fund Justice Q ourselves. That means we don’t have government funding, and we are able to tailor our service to the needs of our community. Financial contributions are vital to helping us reach more people and improve our impact. If you believe LGBTQIA+ people deserve safe and affirming legal help, please consider donating today.
