BY EMILIO LANERA

Despite tackling his final year at Monash University and riding out a global pandemic, Pierce Soulsby is one of several young LGBTQIA+ candidates running in Victorian local council elections this October.

In an attempt to boost LGBTQIA+ representation, the 20-year-old is hoping to be elected to the Monash City Council.

“Currently, I’m the only LGBTQIA candidate in Monash and, if elected, I know I will bring that unique perspective,” Mr Soulsby said.

“We are going through a lot of challenges as everyone is because of the virus,” he said. 

“I think we can’t keep going as we were before, we need new and innovative ideas to take us forward.”

The politics and international relations student, who would represent the Oakleigh ward if elected, said he wants to advocate for more environmental action and help local businesses. 

“I’m running because I mostly believe we need to focus on local recovery [after COVID-19].

“[But] as much as my campaign focuses on local recovery, the environment and transparency…it feels second nature to me that if I get elected I will be able to help the LGBTQIA+ community.”

To show his commitment to making his council more inclusive of LGBTQIA+ people, Mr Soulsby has signed the Rainbow Local Government pledge.

By taking the pledge, Mr Soulsby is committing to helping establish an LGBTIQA+ advisory committee, flying the rainbow flag on LGBTQIA+ awareness days and participating in Pride events.

Victorian Pride Lobby co-convenor Nevena Spirovska said candidates receiving the rainbow tick accreditation helps “foster a culture that is inclusive, responsive and accessible to LGBTIQA+ Victorians”.

“LGBTIQA+ councillors have a proven track record of working across the political divide to achieve tangible outcomes for their local communities,” Ms Spirovska said. 

“They can become an important source of education and awareness on LGBTIQA+ issues for other councillors and the community alike.”

The Victorian Pride Lobby announced on Twitter more than 250 candidates running in local council elections across the state have taken the pledge, including more than 60 LGBTIQA+ candidates.

“We would love to double the number of LGBTIQA+ candidates elected to local government. That way, we can reduce that imbalance so that everyone is represented,” Ms Spirovska said. 

“Despite advances over the years, only about 1.5 per cent of Victoria’s councillors openly identify as LGBTIQA+.”

Year 12 student at The King David School, Ethan Mileikowski, is another young LGBTQIA+ candidate who has received the rainbow tick accreditation.

“Glen Eira City Council has never had an LGBTQIA+ councillor and so, for me, a really big thing is...nobody should think their gender or sexuality is a reason they should not run for public office,” Mr Mileikowski said.

“I think it’s important our elected officials reflect our diverse community.”

Mr Mileikowski, despite being 18 years old, said he plans to help improve aged care facilities and home services in his local government area.

“We are actually the only council that operates their own aged care facilities and last year the council actually tried to sell them, which is something I am absolutely opposed to,” he said.

“Council does already subsidise aged care home services but I think they can do better.

“It’s a real problem when you have people in the lower end of the income bracket and they can’t afford to have somebody come over and deliver a meal, or take care of them, when they desperately need it.”

Mr Mileikowski, who would represent the Camden Ward if elected, would also like to see his council support small businesses more.

“A lot of people seem to put down the council and think that they should go back to roads, rates and rubbish,” he said.

“I would also like to see grants for new businesses because we have too many empty shop fronts and I actually think residents would support rates going towards local businesses.”

All Victorian local council elections will be held by post. Voting closes at 6pm on October 23.