About [out]smart
The [out]smart project was launched in 2014 in collaboration with the Glamourhead Sharks LGBTIQ Swim Club. The project focuses on what LGBTIQ people do to take care of themselves. The message that LGBTIQ people are 'less' because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or sex can adversely effect self esteem. However, sometimes the experience of adversity can also mean that we get good at taking care of ourselves.
In 2016 Team Melbourne came on board as project partners and we looked at the tickets that had been made over the past two years and realised there was an opportunity to focus on taking care while coming out, transitioning or embracing LGBTIQ identities. We hope that these tickets will inspire others who are just embarking on the journey - whatever their age.
In 2016 Team Melbourne came on board as project partners and we looked at the tickets that had been made over the past two years and realised there was an opportunity to focus on taking care while coming out, transitioning or embracing LGBTIQ identities. We hope that these tickets will inspire others who are just embarking on the journey - whatever their age.
About the Glamourhead Sharks
The Glamourhead Sharks is an LGBTIQ swim squad. An inspiring and talented team of coaches encourage everyone to push themselves and not settle for anything other than the best you can do. Most members improve their fitness and health as a result. Club members are a wonderful, wonderful group of people. Seriously. Generous, warm hearted and supportive. There is a strong sense of connectedness. This feeling of connection and support is where wellbeing is fostered. For many, Club members are family. The Glams provide a healthy alternative to the commercial scene - such a great way of helping people to take care. For more information about the Glams go to http://www.glamourheads.org
About Team Melbourne
Team Melbourne evolved from a gathering of Melbourne’s queer sporting clubs in 2004 to begin planning for involvement in the international queer sporting meets in 2006 (the Chicago Gay Games and Montreal Outgames). Originally called “Queer Sports Alliance Melbourne” (QSAM), the name was changed early in 2012 to be inline with other city-based groups and be more recognisable. Team Melbourne has emerged for and by Melbourne’s queer sporting clubs in lieu of any other partnership, alliance or central leadership from pre-existing organisations. For more information go to: teammelbourne.org.au
How to participate in [out]smart
To participate, you need to start with a 'ticket'. If you have an [out]smart postcard (pictured left) use the blank side. If you don't have an [out]smart postcard then grab any a ticket - like a train ticket, bus ticket, concert ticket, parking ticket, shopping ticket, anything. Once you have your ticket:
- Think about a time you did something to take care of yourself
- Decorate the ticket (draw, paint, collage anything) to show what you did to take care of yourself
- Write a few words about what you did
- Share it with us by posting a copy or scanning & emailing it.
Coming out, transitioning and embracing LGBTIQ identities
This section includes tickets made in 2006 in response to the question: what do you do LGBTIQ people do to take care of themselves when they are coming out or transitioning or embracing their LGBTIQ identity?
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Living LGBTIQ lives
This section focuses on tickets about taking care while living LGBTIQ lives. The oldest tickets are at the bottom of the page and you can click on the images to enlarge them.
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One year on
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It has been a year since [out]smart kicked off and we wanted to check in and see how we were doing. We have received almost 100 tickets from LGBTIQ folk from all around the world and the website has received over 7,500 unique visitors. We did a bit of analysis to look at themes arising from the first lot of tickets - some really interesting stuff emerging. Check out the photo book. We have decided to continue for another year. So stay tuned.
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Tickets
In this section of the page, tickets made for the [out]smart project will be shared. The oldest tickets will be at the bottom of the page. We encourage you to share your tickets - so that we can all learn from each other. In late 2014 themes and patterns emerging from the tickets will be posted on this page and the project will be submitted for an exhibition celebrating these successful strategies.
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Miguel - muchas gracias por compartir tan bello mensaje. I just love it. We have been thinking about whether Taking Care for LGBTI people is any different from heterosexuals and gender diverse folk. Your ticket has helped us to see that there can be significant differences. thank you
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This beautiful photograph arrived today with a caption that read: The toughest competition lies within us.
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Hand mantras
Hand Mantras started at the Asia Pacific Outgames in Darwin after our head coach said: a good experience is only one thought away. She wanted us to get out of the pool and not beat ourselves up for the things that didn't go well in our race. She asked us to tell her three things that we had done well - after every race. For a number of us this really worked. We wrote these messages to ourselves on our hands, to inspire our next race. They became 'hand mantras'. They are tickets, about the self talk that helps us to take care.
This section of the page is dedicated to hand mantras. They can be used them anytime. Photograph or photocopy your hand mantra and share it to inspire others.
This section of the page is dedicated to hand mantras. They can be used them anytime. Photograph or photocopy your hand mantra and share it to inspire others.
Need some support?
If you need someone to talk to about taking care of yourself then there are lots of good people out there ready to listen. In Australia Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, you can call them on 13 11 14. beyondblue provides similar services and can be contacted on 1300 22 4636. If you are interested in a LGBTIQ specific support, QLife is Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for LGBTIQ people. QLife are available from 5:30pm – 10:30pm and can be contacted on 1800 184 527.