Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council
We are grateful for the support of the Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Committee.
First People's Disability Network
Scott Avery from the First People’s Disability Network provided video for our launch.
Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare
We are proud to have a reciprocal membership with the Centre.
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Our vision
intertwine’s vision is of communities, organisations and services that are inclusive and just, in a participatory society where all people have opportunity, representation and access to power.
Our Story
intertwine was co-created via two open design sessions held in Sydney and Melbourne. Participants included Irene Hoh (AGMC), Jax Jacki Brown (Disability and Queer Activist), Sally Goldner (TGV), Dominic Wy Kanak (First Nations Councillor, Waverley Council), Mehreen Faruqi (NSW Senator), Kane Race and Anna Hickey-Moody (Sydney University), Jackson Fairchild (then-VAC, now No To Violence), Claudine Chionh and Viv Smythe.
We aimed for intersectionality and diversity in the workshops. People of colour, first nations people and disabled people were under-represented.
- Gender diversity 70%
- Ethnic diversity 38%
- Sexuality diversity 54%
- Disability diversity 38%
- Overall diversity score 50%
Our Board
Claudine Chionh (she/her)
“I’m interested in capturing the many dimensions of our lives — the places where our cultural backgrounds, our faith and our sexuality inform who we are in unique ways. intertwine creates more spaces in the world where we don’t have to compartmentalise and can be who we are in all our complexity.”
Claudine is a queer feminist woman of colour, living on Wurundjeri land and interested in questions at the intersections of multifaith, culture, ethnicity and sexuality. She is a lover of cats and coffee and is an information practitioner, working at the Australian Queer Archives.
Elgina Ansey (xe/hir)
“I am passionate about this work, as all should be given a chance in whatever one desires. This will support lived experiences and shared opinions that will foster a better outlook on life and living healthy.”
Elgina Dhillon is a spearhead for Torres Strait Women, and believes inclusiveness is key as we are all one. Xe maintains that by embracing one’s identity, culture and education we will enable the tools to great success.
Emily Unity (she/they)
“Growing up, I always felt like I was "too complex." I had to choose between being a person of colour OR queer OR disabled. I want to help create a world where intersectionality is celebrated — where we won't have to break ourselves into bite-sized pieces for the convenience of others.”
Emily Unity is a mental health advocate, lived experience consultant, software developer, and multidisciplinary creative. They are also a queer, culturally diverse, and neurodiverse young person.
Skye Mackie (she/her)
““If you can’t change reality, change your perceptions of it.” This quote from Audre Lorde's Zami is the measure I use to question my own perceptions and beliefs. My role with intertwine provides constant learning for me and whilst I may ‘give’ with business knowledge or advice, I get far more in return. This is what I love about the work we do — it touches us all in some way.”
Skye Mackie has extensive experience in HR and management consultancy and has worked as general manager of a diversity consultancy in London. She is currently Head of HR Transformation for a global data and insights business, and lives with her partner, her daughter and a small Cavalier King Charles puppy called Luca who keeps her very busy!
Andrea de Silva (she/her)
“I want a society without discrimination— where everyone is heard, valued & respected, and feels they are welcome & belong in every space they are in.”
Andrea brings diverse professional experience and expertise, as well as lived experience as a woman of colour. Andrea is an adjunct professor and on a number of Boards and Committees that actively work to prevent oppression and address structural discrimination. She applies her skills in research, public health and law to promote equity, create change and drive progress.
Adam Whereat (he/him)
“I want LGBTQIA+ youth to grow up in a world when they are accepted, not tolerated. A world where they do not feel the need to hide who they are out of fear for their own safety. Our community has hidden ourselves for long enough & the time for change is now!”
Adam is a proud queer Kamilaroi man who strongly believes that all human beings deserve to live their lives authentically, openly and proudly. He has worked in the disability sector for many years and is keen to bring that experience to intertwine to help build a more inclusive society.
Rafeif Ismail (she/her)
“intertwine for me is a space built on deep democracy & solidarity. We acknowledge the past, the present & work to reimagine a more just future. N.K. Jemisin said, “Some worlds are built on fault lines of pain”. We are actively working to dismantle the systems that keep us oppressed.”
Rafeif Ismail is a writer and poet. She is a third-culture child of the Sudanese diaspora, the current managing director of Djed Press and co-editor of Unlimited Futures: Speculative, Visionary Blak+Black Fiction.
Our team
Rosanne Bersten (xe/xyr)
Managing director
Rosanne Bersten is a queer Jewish person with autism and ADHD. Xe has been an activist and communications strategist for more than 20 years. Xyr most recent publication was the Pride in Prevention Messaging Guide in collaboration with Rainbow Health Australia.
Ulysses Thomas (they/them)
Project officer for intersectional inclusion
Ulysses Thomas is a queer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person from the Bwgcolman community on Palm Island. Ulysses creates and facilitates supportive networks and programs for queer BIPOC people.
Rebecca Carroll-Bell (she/her)
Mediator
Rebecca Carroll-Bell is looking to shine a light into the Australian workplace culture that allows bullying to run rampant.