Many local councils and other welfare agencies around Melbourne are becoming increasingly aware of the needs of young gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc., people and a number of support groups are now available. Most have weekly (or sometimes fortnightly) meetings and usually provide social activities as well as opportunities for young people to explore issues related to being attracted to the same sex, in a safe, supportive & confidential environment.
BAYSIDE   KnOtStR8 (14-18 year olds)
Contact Debbie on 9599 4429 or <dsojka@bayside.vic.gov.au>
BOROONDARA   NQS - NOT QUITE STRAIGHT (14 - 18 year olds, weekly meetings 4-6 pm)
Contact Kate on 9882 2621 or E-mail <kclark@boroondara.vic.gov.au>
If you're over 18, contact Kate for info' about other support services.
BRIMBANK & western suburbs ...GENERATION Q (12-18 years old) call Jemma on 9364 3200 or E-mail <gsyouth@infoxchange.net.au>
BRUNSWICK   Y-GLAM Performing Arts Project (14-25 year olds, no skills necessary, just dedication & enthusiasm, Mon 4-7 pm) Call Vicky, Jemma or Chris on 9350 4000
or E-mail <jemimam@mchs.org.au> or <vicky@thepush.asn.au>
DANDENONG   Contact Agnes or Dave on 0413 592 492 or 0412 499 957 or E-mail <glbttaskforce@hotmail.com>
DAREBIN area     Bit Bent Youth Group ... contact Viv at Darebin Youth Resource Centre on 9462 5166 (Thurs only) or E-mail <vivrobin@aol.com> or Noam Perl (Anglicare Family Services) on 9478 9499 or <noam.perl@anglicarevic.org.au>
DJERRIWARRH Health Centre - contact Liz Alexander or Katherine Goulliard on 9747 0700 or E-mail <elizabetha@mchc.com.au>
FRANKSTON   YAP (Young and Proud) Contact the Frankston Youth Resource Centre on 9784 1868 and ask about YAP or E-mail <Florence.Adamec@frankston.vic.gov.au> or visit <youth.frankston.vic.gov.au>
or ask about  'GLOSS' ... a social group for young GLBT people run by young GLBT people.
GEELONG   See the Country Victoria page for G/L youth groups in Geelong.
HOBSONS BAY .....contact Jo Smale on 9932 4067 or 0418 123 604
or E-mail <jsmale@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au>
KINGSTON   KnOtStR8 (14-18 year olds)
Contact Makayla on 9581 4817 or <makayla.allen@kingston.vic.gov.au>
KNOX     (24 years and under) Contact Aishling at Knox Youth Services on 9298 8304 or 0438 545 924 or E-mail <aishling.fagan@knox.vic.gov.au>
LILYDALE     Contact Kate at Youthworks (Shire of Yarra Ranges) on 9294 6716 or 0419 528 055 or E-mail <k.arnott@yarraranges.vic.gov.au>
MELBOURNE UNI   MUSU's QUEER DEPARTMENT - providing support,
information, activities, political activism, resources for coming out, social opportunities.
Phone 9344 8159 or 9349 4945
MONASH   PRIDE AND DIVERSITY (14-20 year olds) - contact Shlom at Monash Youth & Family Services on 9561 7359 or 0402 208 070 or by E-mail at <shlome@monash.vic.gov.au>
MONASH UNI - CLAYTON    QUEER COLLECTIVE - every Tuesday lunchtime in Queer Lounge (next to Queer Office, 1st Floor Union building MSA).
Drop in to chat, socialise or assist with political action, or contact 9905 4195 for further details.
MOONEE VALLEY   PRIDE and PREJUDICE - contact Daniel Witthaus on 9243 8793 or E-mail <dwitthaus@mvcc.vic.gov.au>
MORNINGTON   KALEIDOSCOPE - contact Vivien on 5979 4443 or 0408 483 980 or E-mail <kaleidoscope@infoxchange.net.au>
or visit <www.gaylesbianyouth.info>
NILLUMBIK   EGG - contact Isabelle Gennari or Mike on 9433 3150 or E-mail <nyp@nillumbik.vic.gov.au>
SPRINGVALE      (young people aged between 14 & 21 living in the City of Greater Dandenong) contact John or Michelle on (03) 8558 9000
or E-mail at <55.youth@southernhealth.org.au>
YARRA VALLEY   Contact Louise on 5962 3681 or E-mail <yvchs@smart.net.au>
      Melbourne Bisexual Youth Ph (03) 9521 4128
.....an environment where young people can socialise, share & discuss bi stuff.....meets fortnightly.....call Catherine 9687 8115 or E-mail <m.venn@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au>
or visit <www.oocities.org/WestHollywood/Village/9202>
               
The Action Centre
YAK.....a support/information/social group/sexual health for young queer people.....277 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Call Ian or Tim on 9654 4766 or E-mail <yakaction@hotmail.com>
or visit <www.fpv.org.au>

  Young & Gay Ph (03) 9865 6700, Freecall 1800 143 840
.....a free and confidential 6 week discussion group in South Yarra for guys under 27.....make new friends, talk about coming out, relationships, self-esteem, safe sex, HIV/AIDS ..... E-mail Asvin on <YouthProjectTeam@vicaids.asn.au>

Fresh
.....a social and support group for 18-30 year olds with HIV .....phone Gina Greco on 9863 0444 or E-mail <gina_greco@vicaids.asn.au>


TBC
Transgender support and mentoring for 12 - 25 year olds - contact Sally Goldner on 0407 946 242 or E-mail <wbjg@bigpond.com>
    Gay and Lesbian Switchboard - 9827 8544
Talk to a trained counsellor between 6-10 pm daily and 2-10 pm Wednesdays. All counsellors are themselves gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. Your call is confidential and anonymous.
Switchboard has details of more than 350 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied organisations throughout Victoria.
Ring freecall 1800 631 493 in country Victoria.
<www.vicnet.net.au/~glswitch>
PFLAG - Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays
Helplines (03) 9511 4083 and (03) 9752 2081
An informal support group for parents, families and friends of SSA young people.....meets 4th Tuesday in Toorak.
Write to PFLAG, PO Box 741, Glen Waverley 3150
or E-mail at <p_flagvic@hotmail.com>
or visit <www.gaynet.com.au/pflag>
  No group in your area??? Perhaps if you don't tell 'them', 'they' will think there is no need. Perhaps 'they' think there are no SSAY in their area. We know differently, but a lot of straight people are just not aware! Ask at your local youth resource centre or community health centre. You won't have to 'out' yourself to do so - all you have to do is ask at the desk to speak to a youth worker about a confidential matter (and youth workers will respect your privacy) and show them that there is a need. Perhaps referring them to this site might help.......and perhaps your efforts might result in your area appearing next on the above list......that's how YAP started in Frankston! Good luck.      
                           
                                                
          .....more coming soon & more below.
There are also many other 'open-age' support groups around Melbourne. I'm sure you will be made most welcome at any of these, and you might just find other people there in your own age group. Click on the button below to check these out.