WHAT ARE THE DOROTHIES?
The Dorothies are Tasmania’s premier award for LGBTIQA+ inclusivity.
The awards were named after the Rev Dorothy McRae-McMahon who grew up on Tasmania's west coast and went on to become a leading figure in the Uniting Church and one of Australia's most respected lesbians. The name also echoes the old term "Friend of Dorothy", used by gay people to refer to each other and taken from the Wizard of Oz.
Each year a theme or sector is nominated to be the focus of the awards.
The awards showcase best practice and inspire organisations and service deliverers to excel in providing a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians.
The 2026 Dorothies theme is
Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusion in Family and Sexual Violence Services & Programs
SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES
2026 NOMINATIONS aRE NOW OPEN!
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
In determining the winner of the award, the judging panel will consider which nominations most strongly address the questions below. Evidence by way of examples, feedback, photos and testimonials will strengthen your nomination.
- How have you advanced LGBTIQA+ visibility and inclusiveness within your services/programs recently?
- What has your commitment to LGBTIQA+ inclusivity within your services/programs looked like over time?
- What cultural changes have you seen within your team as a result of your commitment to LGBTIQA+ visibility and inclusiveness?
- What positive impact have your services/programs had on the Tasmanian LGBTIQA+ community and their families?
for full guidelines and information please click on the button below
2025 DOROTHIES
2025 DOROTHIES
Working It Out held its annual International Day of Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) event in Hobart on Friday the 16th of May at The Function Centre at Hockey Tasmania this year.
IDAHOBIT is an annual reminder of the impact that discrimination, isolation and abuse still has on the lives of LGBTIQA+ people both locally and globally. Discrimination, isolation and abuse lead to much poorer health and wellbeing outcomes for LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians than the broader population, with fewer people accessing necessary services.
At the other end of the spectrum, the event also celebrates the work that is happening in our community to make this a better world for LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians via ‘the Dorothies’ Awards.
The theme for 2025 awards was Excellence In LGBTIQA+ Workplace Inclusion.
The winners were:
The category of 2026 awards is: 'Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusion in Family and Sexual Violence Services & Programs’
Nomination form above.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
| YEAR | THEME | WINNER/S |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Excellence In LGBTIQA+ Workplace Inclusion | Department of Health - Govt Workplace Award & Engender Equality - NGO Workplace Award |
| 2024 | Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice in Government Agencies/Departments | Department of Health Libraries Tasmania - The Encouragement Award |
| 2023 | Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice in Local Government | City of Hobart for the Pioneering Change category. Central Coast Council for the Most Inspiring category. Kingborough Council for the Best Practice award |
| 2022 | Excellence in LGBTIQA+ Inclusivity in Sport | LGBTIQA+ Sporting Organisations: Hobart Out Tennis, Queer Sporting Alliance (Joint Winners) Mainstream Organisations: Convict City Rollers (Winner) Arrogone Archers (Encouragement Award) |
| 2021 | Inclusive practices in Educational institutions | Tertiary: University of Tasmania Ally Network College: Hellyer College High School: Burnie High School and Kingston High School Primary: Taroona High School Encouragement Awards: UTAS Pride Society and Huonville High School HPE team |
| 2019 | Tasmania Police | Inclusive practice in emergency services |
| 2018 | Inclusive practice in faith-based organisations | Baptcare Tasmania |
| 2017 | Inclusive practice in mental health services | WellWays Tasmania |
| 2016 | Inclusive practice in Aged Care providers | Uniting AgeWell, Glenview Community Services |
| 2015 | Inclusive practice in medical services and practices | Sexual Health Services, Dr Geoffrey Bradshaw |
| 2014 | Inclusive practice in school communities | Ulverstone Hight School, Gagebrook Primary School, Rose Bay High School and Don College |
| 2013 | Inclusive practice in the workplace | Women’s Health Centre (small); Glenview Community Services (large) |