Minus18 is Australia's LGBTQIA+ youth organization dedicated "leading change, building social inclusion, and advocating for an Australia where all young people are safe, empowered, and surrounded by people that support them."[11]
History
In 1998, mum and LGBTQIA+ champion Nan McGregor founded Minus18, hosting some of Australia’s first underage LGBTQIA+ events called "Minus18". These events were a space for young, same-sex attracted youth to meet others. Initially begun through hosting drug- and alcohol-free 'dance parties', Minus18 soon expanded into hosting other events and becoming more involved with the greater gay community in Melbourne, Australia.[3]
In 2011, volunteers at Minus18 transformed the events group into the Minus18 Foundation, and began expanding their events to include more social events outside of dances, a same-sex formal, online networking and support, and the addition of youth mentoring and resources that would later become a central part of the organization's mission.[12] [13]
