Resources | Social Butterflies

This page stores links and contact details for resources. The criteria for inclusion are:

Resources must be useful to our community
Businesses and organisations must have been nominated by a forum member who’s found them to be trans*-friendly
Priority is given to local businesses over interstate or online
Physical businesses are listed in order of proximity to the Melbourne CBD

⚠️ IMMEDIATE CRISIS ASSISTANCE

If you are at risk of self-harm:
call Lifeline 24/7/365:
☎️ ring 13 11 14
📱 text 0477 13 11 14
⌨️ chat at www.lifeline.org.au

If someone’s life is in danger:
☎️ call 000.

Poisons Information Centre
☎️ ring 13 11 26
💻 austin.org.au/poisons

Sexual Assault Crisis Line
Support for victims of sexual assault
☎️ 1800 806 292 (24/7)

e-Safety Commissioner
You can report online abuse here: esafety.gov.au/report
This can include sharing images without permission.

🟥 SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME

Victims of Crime Helpline
A free service that can give you on-the-spot information and advice about things like reporting a crime; your rights; applying for financial assistance; and finding other services that can help you. (VCH has Rainbow Tick accreditation, so it’s friendly to our community).
☎️ 1800 819 817 (8am-11pm, and National Relay Service friendly)
📱 0427 767 891
⌨️ vsa@justice.vic.gov.au
https://www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au/

Victims’ Legal Service
The Victims Legal Service provides free legal advice and support to people who have suffered injury or loss because of a crime.
☎️ 1800 531 566 (9am–5pm Monday to Friday)
https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/victims-legal-service

Sexual Assault Crisis Line
Support for victims of sexual assault
☎️ 1800 806 292 (24/7)
https://www.sacl.com.au/

With Respect
A specialist LGBTIQ+ family violence service to support LGBTIQ+ people and their families affected by family violence (not an emergency service).
☎️ 1800 LGBTIQ (9am–5pm Monday to Friday; after hours counselling 5pm–11pm Wednesday and 10am–10pm Saturday and Sunday)
http://www.withrespect.org.au/

Victoria Police
You can report a crime to any police officer in Victoria Police by contacting your local police station but, if the matter is not urgent, you can choose to speak to a LGBITQ+ liaison officers (LLO).
☎️ 9247 6944 (business hours)
⌨️ LLO-Coordinator-MGR@police.vic.gov.au
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/

Rainbow Door
Rainbow Door is a free specialist helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their friends and family.
☎️ 1800 729 367 (10am – 5pm every day)
📱 0408 017 246
⌨️ support@rainbowdoor.org.au
http://www.rainbowdoor.org.au/

Switchboard
Switchboard provides a free, confidential and anonymous telephone counselling, referral and information service for Victorian bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQ+) people.
☎️ 1800 184 527 (3pm–midnight, every day)
http://www.switchboard.org.au/ or http://www.qlife.org.au/

📰 NEWS, INFORMATION, CURRENT AFFAIRS, & SERVICE DIRECTORIES

QNews
A digital and print newspaper with a Victorian-specific publication
qnews.com.au
Read their interview with the Social Butterflies here

Joy Media
Community radio station (94.9FM) and media outfit, based at the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda.
joy.org.au

Star Observer
GLBTIQA+ media organisation (based in Sydney).
starobserver.com.au

Trans.au
Community-led national directory of trans and gender diverse services and community groups.
trans.au
We feature on Trans.au here

Trans-Friendly Melbourne
A database of community recommendations of trans friendly services in Melbourne. Currently mostly healthcare, beauty & wellness, and fitness; but also some other services and retailers.
Search Trans Friendly Melbourne here

♨️ PEER AND SOCIAL SPACES

transPARENT
A group for trans, gender diverse and non-binary parents, co-parents and carers across Victoria, coordinated by Rainbow Families Switchboard https://www.switchboard.org.au/rainbow-families). Open to adults who identify as trans, gender diverse, gender fluid, gender queer or non-binary AND are parents, co-parents and carers in rainbow families in Victoria. The group has a secret FB group, holds monthly online chats and hosts several Family Playground catch ups a year. If you are interested, email rainbowfamilies@switchboard.org.au with the subject line “transPARENT” and they will be in touch on about how to get involved.

Queerspace LGBTQIA+ Mentoring Projects
A program by and for community, also open to family members wanting to understand how to support someone in their life who is LGBTQIA+. The program is looking for both people interested in connecting with a mentor, and people interested in being mentors.
https://www.queerspace.org.au/our-programs/mentoring-programs/

Spectrum Intersections
An online space for neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ people.
https://www.spectrumintersections.org/

Transgender Victoria
A range of programs and spaces for TGD people.
https://www.tgv.org.au/

⚧ TRANSITIONING RESOURCES

Monash Gender Clinic
Monash Health’s Gender Clinic is a state-wide service that provides individualised, person-centred care for the trans, gender diverse and non-binary people, their families, partners and the community.
https://monashhealth.org/services/gender-clinic/

TransHub
A digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse people in NSW, loved ones, allies and health providers. NSW focused, but much of the information is also relevant to Victoria. Also good website to affirm many things people feel. Produced by ACON, the NSW counterpart to Thorne Harbour Health.
https://www.transhub.org.au/

The Gender Dysphoria Bible
A dive into the multitude of ways that gender dysphoria manifests and what it means to be transgender.
https://genderdysphoria.fyi/en/

Gender affirmation in Victorian public sector workplaces
Aimed at managers supporting employees affirming their gender, but also a useful general guide.
Read it here

Jackie Rabbit YouTube channel with plenty of helpful transitioning advice
https://www.youtube.com/@jackierabbit450

Gender Voice Centre
https://www.gendervoicecentre.com.au/

🟥 HEALTH SERVICES

Equinox Gender Diverse Health Centre
Trans and gender-diverse (binary and non-binary) health service operated by Thorne Harbour Health in Abbotsford.
equinox.org.au

Thorne Harbour Health
Community health service, formerly the Victorian AIDS Council, offering a variety of services including general healthcare for LGBTIQ people, mental health, alcohol and other drug treatment, family violence, and HIV+. Located at the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda.
thorneharbour.org

🩹 GENERAL PRACTITIONERS

The Crane GP Clinic
Clifton Hill has several gender-affirming GPs and are very queer friendly. Ask for Dr Jessie Rafeld or Dr Dustin Sprigg
https://www.thecranegp.com.au/

Prahran Market Clinic
A medical practice providing rooms for independent doctors and allied health professionals to practice under common goals and values. Particular focus on sexual health and LGBTIQA+ health.
https://www.prahranmarketclinic.com/

TG Health Clinic
Clinic in Prahran specialised in trans health.
https://tghealthclinic.com.au/

Doctors of South Melbourne
DoSM offer a range of gender transition services.
https://www.doctorsofsouthmelbourne.com.au/

Andrew Place Clinic
Sites in Bundoora (9467 1444) and Mill Park (9466 7211). Ask for Dr Simone Craig (Bundoora) or Dr Stephen Park (works one day at Bundoora, and one day at Mill Park).
https://www.andrewplaceclinic.com.au/

Northcote Medical
Ask for Dr Roisin Matthews or Dr Thomas Leung. New appointments can be made over the phone on 9489 6472
https://northcotedoc.com.au/

Harding Street Medical Centre (Coburg)
Ask for Dr Chris Phillips (they/them, lived experience) on 9384 1321
https://www.hardingmedical.com.au/

Turn the Corner (Brunswick)
Ask for Dr Nick Silberstein, Dr Leila Byrne, or Dr Rowena Mortimer
New appointments can be made online or over the phone on 1300 557 502
https://www.turnthecorner.com.au/

Inner North Medical (Brunswick East)
New appointments can be made online (encouraged) or over the phone; ask for Dr Owen Harris, Dr Louisa Martin, or Dr Ky Manze on 9988 2015
https://www.innernorthmedical.com.au/

🗨️ COUNSELLING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Thorne Harbour Health
Community health service, formerly the Victorian AIDS Council, offering a variety of services including counselling, mental health, alcohol and other drug treatment, family violence, and HIV counselling. Located at the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda.
http://www.thorneharbour.org/

Queerspace
Counselling (including individual, relationship and family counselling), case management, advocacy and support services to help you with a range of issues.
http://www.queerspace.org.au/

Switchboard
Community not-for-profit organisation that provides a peer driven, support service for the LGBTIQA+ community. Includes counselling, a social home visiting service for LGBTIQA+ people at risk of social isolation, and suicide prevention.
http://www.switchboard.org.au/

SHIPS
Sexual Health & Intimacy Psychological Services is a progressive psychology organisation in Fitzroy. They provide sex, intimacy and mental health treatment & training.
https://www.shipspsychology.com.au/

🔒 ONLINE SAFETY

e-Safety Commissioner
The e-Safety Commissioner has powers to protect people across most online platforms and forums where people experience abuse or harm. In particular, they do prevention (through research, education programs and raising awareness) and protection (through regulatory schemes and investigations, under the Online Safety Act).
You can report abuse here: https://www.esafety.gov.au/report, and there’s a dedicated section for the rainbow community here: https://www.esafety.gov.au/lgbtiq

🦺 PHYSICAL SAFETY

Self Defense for Trans Women and Non-Binary People
Offers strategies based in lived experience, ranging from using body language and creating safety in numbers, to training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu moves.
It includes chapters on how to handle people who have legal or financial power over you, cis women gropers, and menfolk bullies, along with instruction on how to back each other up as a group. Trans women, AMAB nonbinary, and AMAB gender-nonconforming people need self-defense that reflects the specific kinds of threats we get. This study guide is one resource for expanding your toolkit to keep on living in this world.
Read more here

🏳️‍⚧️ TRANS / QUEER ADVOCACY & ACTIVISM

Transgender Victoria (TGV)
Trans and gender diverse advocacy, training, and resource development, aiming to achieve justice, equity and inclusive service provision for trans and gender diverse people, their partners, families and friends. In particular, TGV refers individuals seeking support on a range of issues (health, law, housing, discrimination, finance, workplace etc) to relevant services.
http://www.tgv.org.au/

Seahorse Victoria
Support and social group for the Victorian transgender community.
http://www.seahorsevic.com.au/

Rainbow Community Angels
Working together to make our LGBTIQA+ communities, kids & families feel safer, connected & supported; specifically, by shielding rainbow events from far-right activists.
https://www.rainbowcommunityangels.org.au/

Trans and Gender Diverse Bendigo and Beyond
TGDBB is a peer led community group focused on improving health and well-being for the trans and gender diverse community in regional and rural Victoria. Includes social group and events; clothing swap; and variety chat show.
https://tgdbendigoandbeyond.org.au/

📏 EMPLOYMENT AND THE WORKPLACE

Victorian Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission
State Government body which protects human rights. Specific areas of responsibility include LGBTIQ rights; expunged homosexual convictions; gender identity; lawful sexual activity; marital status; mental health; sex characteristics; sex discrimination; and sexual orientation.
http://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/

Gender affirmation in Victorian public sector workplaces
Aimed at managers supporting employees affirming their gender, but also a useful general guide
https://vpsc.vic.gov.au/workforce-capability-leadership-and-management/gender-affirmation/

LGBTIQA+ inclusive language guide
This guide explains how to use language respectfully and inclusively when working with and referring to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, questioning and asexual people. It’s for Victorian public sector employees, but might be useful in explaining concepts to others.
https://www.vic.gov.au/inclusive-language-guide

👗 CLOTHING

Alt-Cvlt
Alternative clothing, accessories, and culture shop in Frankston. Small-ish range of goth/rock clothing, but the staff are friendly and welcoming.
https://www.alt-cvlt.com.au/

Ministry of Style
Ethical festival fashion in Collingwood.
http://ministryof.style/

Tibbs and Bones
Shop in Chapel Street selling colourful festival wear and accessories, with some goth footwear. If you walk in and it looks like a unicorn ate too much glitter and burst, exploding pastel rainbows all over the stock, then you know you’re in the right place- it’s very rainbow-heavy.
https://www.tibbsandbones.com/

Trans Gender Victoria – Affirmation Station
The Affirmation Station is TGV’s Community Hub. They run events, workshops, affirmation services and creative therapies for TGD people. For clothing, the Affirmation Station offers a gender-affirming opshop and a Trans Makers Boutique, which showcases products made by trans and gender-diverse creatives from across Victoria.
https://www.tgv.org.au/affirmation-station

Trans and Gender Diverse Bendigo and Beyond
TGDBB is a peer led community group; includes a clothing swap.
https://tgdbendigoandbeyond.org.au/

Sexiaz Lingerie
Local small business specialising in mostly bikinis and some skirts, but also has briefs suitable for tucking.
https://www.sexiazlingerie.com/

Siren Doll
Clothing, lingerie, accessories, and footwear shop in Bridge Road, Richmond. Seems well-patronised by working girls and exotic dancers, to give you some idea of their product range.
http://www.sirendoll.com.au/

Illusions Lingerie
Trans and CD-friendly lingerie shop in Moonee Ponds. They are specifically inclusive of trans and gender-diverse customers seeking a specialist bra fitting.

💄 MAKE-UP

Iridis Cosmetics
Iridis is a cruelty-free, Australian-owned makeup company (based in Newport) with a good range of products.
https://www.iridis.com.au/
https://www.iridis.com.au/services/trans-lessons/

It’s All About Makeup
Rainbow-friendly beauty salon in Moonee Ponds offering cosmetics, make-up lessons/tutorials, and waxing.
http://www.iaamu.com.au/

Miss Jay’s Nails and Beauty
Miss Jay’s staff deliver a breadth of services in a safe space for everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The space is accessible for those with disabilities, physical or intellectual, with staff understanding sensory and emotional needs as well as physical access.
https://www.missjaysnailsandbeauty.com/

Kryolan Cosmetics
Professional makeup, including concealers and glitters. Specific products for concealing those pesky shadows. Physical shop in Collins Street with some gender-diverse staff, and a showroom with their full range in Braeside.
http://www.kryolan.com.au/

✂️ WIGS AND HAIRDRESSERS

Captain Darling
Rainbow-friendly hairdresser in Preston.
https://captaindarling.com.au/

Creative Wigs
Wig retailer with highly professional staff and discreet location in Swanston Street. They have long experience helping our community get around with fabulous hair.
https://www.creativewigs.com.au/

🪒 HAIR REMOVAL

Affirming Electrolysis – Footscray
Run for and by gender diverse people. They are also able to provide house calls around Footscray and surrounding suburbs. Their website has a lot of information about the electrolysis process, how long it can take, what outcomes you can expect and what the aftercare is required.
https://affirmingelectrolysis.square.site/

Hildi Hair Removal
They provide a free consult to discuss what is needed, including how many sessions you may need. Located in Keilor Downs.
https://www.hildihairremoval.com.au/

Velvet Hair Removal
Electrolysis business located in Wyndham Vale, owned by a member of this group! VHR uses Apilus equipment which is patented technology and the most advanced on the market. Apilus allows for quicker and more comfortable hair removal. Your VHR electrologist is trained by the company that made the product ensuring that they are knowledgeable in the use of the machine and instructed on techniques to provide the greatest comfort to the client, while ensuring the most efficient results.
https://velvethairremoval.com/

Victoria University Dermal Clinic
Located at the Victoria University City campus. Clients seeking gender-affirming services can receive 50% off listed costs with a referral from your GP.
https://www.vu.edu.au/about-vu/facilities-services/our-services/health-clinics/dermal-clinic

🌃 NIGHTLIFE

DT’s Hotel – Our Home
DT’s in Church Street, Richmond is more of a traditional pub, and strongly supports Social Butterflies.
https://www.facebook.com/dtspub/

Mollie’s Bar and Diner
Drag shows and affordable meals on Smith Street, Collingwood.
https://www.molliesbaranddiner.com.au/

Sircuit Bar
Downstairs from and associated with Mollie’s, Sircuit is more of a nightclub environment. No open-toed shoes!
https://www.sircuit.com.au/

The Peel Hotel
Traditionally male-oriented, but apparently more inclusive recently. Fridays: pop, hits, and club classics; Saturdays: club anthems
https://www.thepeel.com.au/

Pride of our Footscray
A colourful, mixed, and friendly nightclub in Hopkins Street, Footscray which hosts a variety of events like cabaret and drag bingo/drag trivia. Free entry on Friday nights, and before 10:30pm on Saturdays (ticketed events excluded, so check their site).
https://www.prideofourfootscray.bar/
https://www.facebook.com/PrideofourFootscray

🏳️‍🌈 PRIDE FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

Midsumma Festival
Held over late January/early February, Midsumma is Australia’s premier queer arts and cultural festival. The program includes visual arts, live music, theatre, spoken word, cabaret, film, parties, sport, social events, and public forums.
https://www.midsumma.org.au/

Midsumma includes three major events:

Carnival Day (Sunday, January 19th, 2025; Alexandra Gardens)
Carnival Day opens the festival in the Alexandra Gardens from 1100. Highlights include:
precincts for sports, youth, family, tea tent (for older audiences) and a chill out zone;
two stages for various shows throughout the day; a dog show for four-legged members of our community; over 180 stalls participate, giving community groups and our sponsors the opportunity to present their services and activities; and a dance party from 6pm until 10pm.
https://www.midsumma.org.au/info/midsumma-carnival-info/

Pride March (Sunday, February 2nd, 2025; St Kilda)
March with 7,400 of your closest friends along Fitzroy Street, Saint Kilda, in early February. We will be entering a contingent, and you’re welcome to join us! Check the ⁠irl-events channel for more information.
https://www.midsumma.org.au/info/midsumma-pride-march-info/

Street Party (Sunday, February 9th, 2025; Fitzroy)
A full-day and night street party in Melbourne’s iconic Gertrude and Smith Street precinct.
https://www.midsumma.org.au/whats-on/events/victoria-s-pride/

Chillout Festival (Daylesford, Labour Day weekend)
Regional GLBTIQA+ festival held over Labour Day weekend in March, including a street parade.
https://chilloutfestival.com.au/

🦠 SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES – METROPOLITAN

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
Public health service in Carlton. Offers STI testing, PreP clinic, counselling, and other services.
http://www.mshc.org.au/

Sexual Health Victoria
Public health service with clinics in Melbourne CBD and Box Hill.
http://www.shvic.org.au/

Thorne Harbour Health
Community health service, formerly the Victorian AIDS Council, offering a variety of services including HIV and STI testing and counselling; PEP/PreP; and hepatitis screening, vaccination and monitoring. Located at the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda.
http://www.thorneharbour.org/

Better Health Channel
Online resource for health conditions and treatments; healthy living; and services and support.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/

🦠 SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES – REGIONAL

Ballarat Community Health
Services include STI screening; HIV care; PrEP; PEP; and transgender health care.
https://bchc.org.au/service/sexual-health-clinic/

Barwon Health Sexual Health Clinic
Barwon Health’s sexual health drop-in clinic offers advice, management and resources covering all aspects of sexual health awareness, including sexual health screening and treatment, and screening and management of blood-borne viruses.
https://www.barwonhealth.org.au/services-departments/item/sexual-health-information-screening

Bendigo Community Health Service
Services in Bendigo and Eaglehawk.
https://www.bchs.com.au/sexual-health-clinic

Gateway Community Health- Clinic 35
Service include STI testing and treatment; HIV care; and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention
https://gatewayhealth.org.au/services/gp-clinics/sexual-and-reproductive-health-clinic-35/

Latrobe Community Health Service
https://www.lchs.com.au/

Meryula Clinic Sexual Health Service
A free and confidential sexual and reproductive health service run by Goulburn Valley Health in Shepparton.
https://www.gvhealth.org.au/our-services/community-health/sexual-health-clinic/

Better Health Channel
Online resource for health conditions and treatments; healthy living; and services and support.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/

💡 HEALTH, SEXUALITY, AND LIFESTYLE EDUCATION

Curious Creatures
Sex-positive workshops on a wide range of topics, including intimacy, polyamory and open relationships, consent, and ethics.
https://www.curiouscreatures.biz/

Stay STI Free
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre’s STI information web site.
https://www.staystifree.org.au/

Sexual Health Victoria
Public health service, also does professional education.
http://www.shvic.org.au/

The Drama Down Under
Information on STIs, a clinic finder, and an anonymous partner-notification tool. Brought to you by Thorne Harbour Health.
https://www.thedramadownunder.info/

Touch Base
Clear and non-judgemental drug and alcohol advice for LGBTIQ+ communities. Created by Thorne Harbour Health. Includes sections on drugs and sex, and interactions between drugs and feminising hormones and anti-androgens, and between drugs and HIV medications like PreP.
https://touchbase.org.au/