Greek History and Culture Seminars
The Greek and Gay Support Network (GGSN) is proud to participate in the panel discussion Embracing Our LGBTQIA+ Greek Family, presented by the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GOCMV) as part of its weekly Greek History and Culture Seminars.
GGSN members praise the GOCMV for its leadership, noting that this is the first time the Community has hosted a public discussion on sexuality and diversity.
The thirtieth anniversary of GGSN was celebrated in 2025 with a special radio report by SBS journalist Panos Apostolou, and featured GGSN members Kathy Politis, Nektarios Christopoulos, and John Tzimas. Kathy, Nektarios and John are the GGSN panel members for this discussion.
Dr Dino Hodge, a Cypriot Australian, will facilitate the panel discussion. Dr Hodge, a ministerial adviser to Senator Nick Bolkus during his tenure as Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, has significant expertise in diversity and equity programs.
“For too many years, families have suffered trauma due to the rejection of LGBTQIA+ family members – be they children, parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles or cousins”, Dr Hodge explained. “This rejection is based on outdated prejudice and assumptions – assumptions that are no longer widespread in contemporary Greece, Cyprus and the Hellenic diaspora today.”
“For more than thirty years GGSN has celebrated LGBTQIA+ culture and also provided safe spaces for community members to come together. Now is time for all Greek organisations to focus their efforts on the welfare of Greek community families and all of their members, regardless of sexuality or gender”, he added.
Dr Hodge noted the seminar will canvass:
- the importance of GGSN support for the Greek LGBTIQA+ community over the last thirty years
- GGSN contributions to the wider multicultural LGBTIQA+ communities, as well as within the broader Greek communities
- opportunities for all Greek organisations to support the Greek LGBTQIA+ community
- obligations of Greek community organisations to the LGBTQIA+ community under the Equal Opportunity Act (2010) and the Child Safe Standards in operation from 01 July 2022.
GGSN invites all community members, families & friends to attend this important discussion:
Thursday 30th April at 7.00pm Greek Centre, Mezzanine Level 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
(Free event – thanks to GOCMV and event sponsor Mary Rerakis)
Further information contact info@greekandgay.com, Dr Dino Hodge on 0421 821 757, or visit https://www.greekcommunity.com.au/news/2026-greek-history-and-culture-seminars
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