Euphoria Social enters the stage as Australia’s first LGBTQIA+ events and party-planning brand, ready to raise awareness and break down stigmas on community mental health.
Despite progress in recent years, many LGBTQIA+ people still face adversity in their personal lives, which can lead to social isolation and hopelessness, and according to LGBTQ+ Health Australia’s 2021 statistics, they are six times more likely on average to experience depression and three times more likely to experience anxiety than the general population.
As it turns out, same-sex marriage alone does not bandage over ingrained cultures of homophobia, despite what some would like to believe. Defeating hatred and creating a safe environment for the LGBTQIA+ population takes a lot more work.
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One method forward, however, is the same one that LGBTQIA+ people have been using for generations, all around the world, for survival: community support. And that’s exactly what Euphoria Social was created to build.
“Euphoria Social is an independent and self-funded LGBTQIA+ mental health organisation and inclusive directory,” according to T, the founder of the organisation and a self-defined queer woman. “As Australia’s first LGBTQIA+ events and party-planning brand, we aim to use our events and services to raise awareness and break down the stigma associated with mental health in the LGBTQIA+ community.”
A growing grassroots, volunteer-run organisation, Euphoria Social is already making an impact just by hosting spaces for people to be themselves. This season alone, their website boasts a vast array of inclusive Pride events, not just parties but markets, pool events, and even a drag bingo night; With so much variety, people from all walks of life can hope to find something that suits them, and certainly, there is even more to come.
“We want our events to be more than just a night out,” says T. “With that being said, we don’t want to give too much away, so you will have to keep an eye out on our upcoming events.”
And of course, in the spirit of building a happy community, everyone is welcome so long as they bring respect and kindness.
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The importance of community events and LGBTQIA+ celebrations cannot be overstated— spaces like these can be crucial for some people to make friends who understand them and learn to take pride in themselves— but these are still not all that Euphoria Social has to offer. The inclusive directory available on their website is another point of pride for the organisation: an easy-to-navigate catalogue of businesses and organisations that can be trusted and verified as LGBTQIA-friendly, from mental health services to retail stores, and even funeral services.
“The inclusive directory element was inspired by my wife and I’s personal experience when planning our wedding and the rejection we faced: by venues, caterers, celebrants and the list goes on,” T recalls.
Overall, T’s efforts to create Euphoria Social come from a very personal place; she understands what it’s like to live under the weight of homophobia, and she has a great stake in trying to build a future that can be better, even when it’s not easy.
Though the organisation is young, they have already faced challenges from, as T calls it, “the wider community”— people who insist their work isn’t necessary, or worse, businesses who refuse to work with them because of who they represent.
Furthermore, because Euphoria Social is self-funded, they also find themselves relying heavily on private and corporate sponsorship to fund their work, which limits what they can achieve.
Nonetheless, T expresses gratitude to those who have already sponsored or otherwise contributed to the organisation or taken part in their efforts, including those who have benefitted.
“The biggest reward is having so much support from the community, having people with Mental Health issues, telling us they are grateful for what we are doing and that wish they had this sooner,” she says.
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She is also optimistic about the future of the organisation, hoping to offer even more to those who need it, naming bigger events, Autistic and ADHD support, more outreach and expansion across Australia, and the goal of bringing professional counsellors and psychiatrists onto the team, so Euphoria Social’s aid can go beyond social support and trusted referrals for those in crisis.
“I am passionate about what I am doing because this is the world my wife and I are bringing up our daughter in and we want to ensure it’s a welcome world for our rainbow family,” she says. “I am learning every day and I want to continue working to ensure Euphoria Social is a resource for our community for years to come.”
To learn more about Euphoria Social and all they have to offer, visit the website.
