We have a small team of passionate volunteers who make up our Steering Group. They hold a diverse range of skills and experience in advocacy, campaigning, health work, academia and more.
Misty Farquhar OAM
Misty (they/them) is a Lecturer and PhD Researcher at the Curtin University Centre for Human Rights Education. Locally and nationally, they are active in community outreach, education, and LGBTIQA+ advocacy efforts, for which they received an Order of Australia Medal. They have authored articles in academic and mainstream publications and have presented as an invited speaker at events around Australia. Misty has consulted on issues of sexuality and gender with government departments and other high profile organisations. Prior to commencing their PhD, Misty spent over ten years in community and organisational development leadership positions across sectors.
Michelle Hunter
Michelle (she/her) is a social worker of 18 years and has worked in areas such as homelessness, mental health, family and domestic violence, justice, women’s services, carers services, social work research, health, LGBTIQA+ inclusion and HIV spaces. Michelle works as a social worker in a large tertiary hospital in her day job. As a young person Michelle volunteered at the Freedom Centre and this experience shaped her interest in LGBTIQA+ rights and activism. Since then, she has been a volunteer telephone counsellor at Living Proud (known then as Gay and Lesbian Community Services), and a board member of GRAI. Michelle is committed to building meaningful, collaborative partnerships and working to achieve equality for WA LGBTIQA+ folk. Michelle is a proud queer mum of two young children who keep her grounded and inspire her to work to make a difference in this world.
Dani Wright Toussaint
Dani (they/them) has been advocating for and providing support services to LGBTIQA+ people since graduating their Social Science Honours degree in 2005. They currently work at Perth Inner City Youth Service as the Pillar Coordinator supporting young people experiencing mental health challenges and homelessness. Dani previously worked as the Freedom Centre Coordinator and has contributed to research projects to promote the wellbeing of trans and gender diverse young people at Telethon Kids Institute and Murdoch University. Dani has also worked in roles focused on supporting people around sexual health, disability and living with HIV. They have volunteered at TransFolk of WA, Living Proud and LGBTIQ+ Health Australia. Dani is grateful to live with their small family on Whudjuk Nyoongar Boodjar, always learning from parenting their autistic kid. Dani also loves bird watching, cuddling their cats and dogs, and hiking.
Kirsti Leigh Gorringe
Kirsti (she/her) is an experienced digital campaigner and advocate. She currently runs Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission. She previously worked for Senator Louise Pratt, as the Digital Organising Manager for Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, and for GetUp, including as the digital organiser on the 2017 Marriage Equality Campaign. She is passionate about achieving law reform to achieve true equality for LGBTIQA+ people in WA, and empowering the community to come together for change. She is also a surf life saver and loves aerial silks, hiking, and cuddling with her cats and dogs.
Nat Latter
Nat (they/them) runs a successful small business in Maylands, Rabble Books, a role that embraces community outreach and development. They also co-ordinate Drag Story Hour in Perth, working with organisations to facilitate inclusive public programming and volunteer in many local groups. Nat has previously worked in academia, teaching and researching across international relations, public policy, environmental politics, disability and inclusion. They strongly believe in the power of community and collective action to create positive change.
Stevie Lane
Stevie (they/them) is an equity practitioner at Edith Cowan University where they lead the development of institution-wide inclusive practice for LGBTIQA+ staff and students, underpinned by contemporary research, lived experience, and framed around human rights pedagogy. Prior to this, they worked in the mental health sector for many years, and were on the Trans and Gender Diverse Advisory Committee at LGBTIQ+ Health Australia. They have a degree in Mass Communication, a Master of Commerce (Marketing), and experience in public relations, project management, policy development, community engagement, training design and delivery, photography and videography.