LGBTQI+ political panel: breaking barriers and building allies

Pathways to Politics for Women panel discussion, January 2024

While representation of LGBTQI+ people in our parliaments is slowly increasing across the country, it doesn’t yet reflect the rich diversity of the community itself.

“Finding good people to cheer you on and support you is absolutely crucial to anybody who is thinking of being involved as a candidate or a representative – particularly for those of us who are LGBTQI+ folk, whether in or out. It’s very much down to having a good squad and a good pit crew around you.”
– The Hon Harriet Shing MP

Facilitated by Nevena Spirovska, this Pathways to Politics for Women panel discussion brought together Minister the Hon Harriet Shing (the first openly lesbian member of the Parliament of Victoria), Victorian Pride Centre Board Director and Victorian Multicultural Commissioner Dr Judy Tang, and 2020 Labor Candidate for Kew Lucy Skelton.

Our panel shared their personal reflections on being LGBTQI+ public figures, politicians and political candidates, and ways to contribute to positive cultural change for LGBTQI+ people across the political spectrum in our parliaments and councils.

Watch the discussion

Audio only

Photo of Nevena Spirovska smiling outdoors, wearing a white and pink floral top and gold hoop earrings

Nevena Spirovska (Facilitator)

Nevena Spirovska (she/her) is an advocacy director, board director, and broadcaster with a passion for contributing to and enriching the LGBTIQA+ community. She is an alum of the 2020 Victorian Pathways to Politics program and continues to advocate for the election of more diverse parliamentarians.

Photo of ?Harriet Shing smiling. She is wearing red lipstick and thick black framed glasses

The Hon. Harriet Shing MP

Harriet Shing has served as a Labor Member for Eastern Victoria since 2014. In June 2022 she was appointed Minister for Water, Regional Development, and Equality. Previously, Harriet has served as Parliamentary Secretary for Creative Industries, Digital Government, Equality, Water, Emergency Services, and Mental Health.

She is the first openly lesbian member of the Parliament of Victoria.

Dr Judy Tang

Dr Judy Tang is a current Board Director for the Victorian Pride Centre, and is one of Victoria’s 12 Multicultural Commissioners at the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC). She is a strong advocate for multiculturalism and LGBTIQA+ communities with expertise in psychology, ageing, research, and mental health.

She is a former VMC Multicultural Champion and President of the Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council, a national body that advocates for the rights of multicultural and multifaith LGBTQIA+ people and communities. She has a doctorate in neuropsychology and is a practicing Clinical Neuropsychologist.

Judy is an alum of the Pathways to Politics Victorian program.

Lucy Skelton

Lucy Skelton (she/her) is a passionate environmental and social justice advocate, currently studying Public Policy and International Relations at the ANU in Canberra. Lucy has spearheaded initiatives addressing climate change, mental health, homelessness, and more as founder of the Student Voice Network and her roles with AYCC, the Youth Coalition and Global Voices. Lucy ran as the State Labor candidate for Kew at just 20 years old in 2022. The following year she shared these experiences and renewed her call for youth participation in politics through a TEDx talk.

Lucy is an alum of the Pathways to Politics Victorian program.