FREEDOM CENTRE ORIGINS
Freedom Centre started out in 1994 as a part of the “Other Voices” program in Gay Men’s Education at the WA AIDS Council (WAAC). It began to provide an ongoing social space for the young men that participated in the gay education courses. A space to provide the young men with social opportunities outside of the “scene”.
Over time through the Youth Sexuality Project run by WAAC, the Freedom Centre became an all-genders space and got its own premises and recurrent funding.
The Freedom Centre helps support Perth-based young people, families, and communities to be happy, healthy, and informed about diverse sexuality, gender identities, and sex – all in a safe space.
Freedom Centre volunteers and staff all identify as LGBTQIA+ and are trained to provide peer-led support and information to their peers and to the community.
The Freedom Centre hosts drop-in sessions that are safe spaces to hang out, have fun, meet other young people who are LGBTQIA+ or otherwise diverse in their sex, gender, or sexuality, and get peer support and information about a range of topics.
In 2002 the Freedom Centre was awarded the group award in the Youth Citizenship Awards and received a two-year Commonwealth grant and a two-year Lotteries Commission Grant to provide services and capacity building to same sex attracted youth.
FREEDOM CENTRE TURNS 25
WAAC’s Freedom Centre celebrated 25 years of operation in 2019. Another vital drop-in and peer led program which supports LGBTQI youth in extending a safe and inclusive environment.
FREEDOM CENTRE TURNS 30
These banners were created by the Freedom Centre members and were used in many Perth Pride Parades and displayed at various Freedom Centre locations over the last 30 years.
This collection was donated to WestPride Archives by Guy Gomeze and is on display for the thirtieth celebrations of the Centre.
