June marks the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City which many view at the catalyst of change for LGBTQIA+ rights.

Jo Ritchie is a care co-ordinator at Grampian Pyrenees Primary Care Partnership which includes co-ordinating Grampians Regional LGBTQI Network. She said Pride month is the opportunity to celebrate.

"We can celebrate people's identity and being who they are," Ms Ritchie said.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"People from the LGBTQIA+ are discriminated against simply for being who they are, so it's an opportunity to raise awareness of that and for allies and community members to celebrate that community itself."

The Grampians Regional LGBTQI Network covers the Northern Grampians Shire, Greater Ararat Shire and Pyrenees Shire.

The network works with service providers and community members to discuss issues, also develop good practice for service divisions and education.

Ms Ritchie said the community can show their support by putting rainbow flags up in their shows.

"To indicate that business is a safe place," she said.

"For people to be conscious about how they react or respond to meeting someone who is LGBTQIA+."

For people in the LGBTQIA+ community, they can be isolated, and this can be even more exacerbated living in regional areas.

"There isn't as much of a critical mass of people here, people become isolated and don't know other people," Ms Ritchie said.

READ MORE:

"Often people in the LGBTQIA+ community have to travel for events that in Melbourne or larger regional areas."

Ms Ritchie said online is really good to combat isolation for LGBTQIA+ people, especially with the rise of zoom.

"We need to consider smaller events in regional areas," she said.

The biggest struggle to maintain LGBTQIA+ support groups is people putting their hand up to be involved.

"Not everyone wants to make others aware of their LGBTQIA+ status," Mr Ritchie said.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from The Ararat Advertiser. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Ararat shire, sign up here.