Minus18 is the LARGEST melbourne hangout for gay teens who want to have a sweet time and meet others just like them. We run dance parties, social events, workshops and tons more. The guys and girls who run Minus18 are young too, so we're totally cool.
Every few weeks we host a social event. It's a chance for you to ease into the whole Minus18 thing, make some friends, and just generally chill out and have a good time.
We've run pizza afternoons, movie nights, sex workshops, health and wellbeing days and all that shizz.
1000s of young people on the minus18.org.au can't be wrong. We have you covered, with videos, resources, and a forum where you can chat to other queer people from all around Victoria.
What does Minus18 do? In short - we run freakin awesome events for queer youth in Melbourne. In long - we're Melbourne's largest queer youth network since 1998, and a safe space for the same sex attracted underage youth to meet new people and have fun, whilst also providing a safe way for them to explore the gay 'scene' in a drug and alcohol free environment. Oh, did we mention that Minus18 is also run by young people too? That might explain why our events are so darn epic.
We know exactly what it's like to want to meet other people who are same sex attracted, or going through the same sort of stuff. So we run a heap of different events, all aimed at providing a safe place and support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, intersex, curious and straight (yup! even straight) young people.
Minus18 Dance Events
Minus18 dance parties have grown to an event which is unique throughout the world attracting in excess of 300 teenagers each event. In addition Minus18 has become involved in the greater gay community of Melbourne giving this oft-forgotten segment of the community a voice.
Minus+ was established in 2008 as an alternative series of events and activities away from the noise of the Minus18 dance parties. The events range from sporting activities like bowling, yoga, and swimming, to cultural and social activities, like tours of JOY 94.9, speed friendship evenings and movie nights. Minus+ events are much smaller in numbers, which means they are more personal and social.
who runs minus18?
What makes Minus18 so unique is that it is run by a committee made up entirely of young people, supported by The ALSO Foundation. The committee is made up of an Executive - Comprising two Co-Convenors and a Deputy Convenor; and a crew of about 15 young people. The crew also has a Youth Worker who is a member of the ALSO foundation.
The Minus18 committee has a strong focus on leadership and improving the skills of young people.
Minus18 is an organisation driven purely by a team of motivated young people aged between 15 and 21 who want to provide a completely safe zone for other youth in the GLBTIQ community.To be a part of Minus18, you’ve got to be a team player, have ambition to improve the lives of other queer young people, and most of all, you gotta be passionate about our events.
Minus18 recieves funding under the Victorian Government's FReeZA program to run our dance parties, and other projects recieve funding either from the money we make at these dance parties or from outside sources. We recieve in-kind support from The ALSO Foundation, PFlag, and many other community and government groups.
what other events/projects is minus18 involved in?
Minus18 also participates in the community by running the youth zones at two very important events on the Melbourne GLBTI calendar: Pride March & Midsumma. Currently Minus18 is focused on propelling its Minus+ project. On the horizon is MinusTV - an initiative which aims to provide youth with the chance to create a media outlet, while exploring and promoting issues that GLBTIQ youth face.
awards
Minus18 has received numerous awards for outstanding events in both 2007 (Nightmare before Minus - Dance Event) and in 2008 (Pirates vs Ninjas - Dance Event). Minus18 also received merits from Melbourne organisations for our work helping queer youth.
Minus18 won a Rainbow Award in 2001, for our outstanding work in the queer community.
In May 2010 Minus18 were proud to be awarded the Young People's Community Participation Award, an extreme honour, awarded by the Victorian Premier John Brumby.
what can i expect at minus18 events?
In short, a shit ton of fun. Minus18 events are unique in that they cater for a very diverse group of people.
DANCE EVENTS We recognise that it would be impossible to run an event that is perfect for each and every person as far as music and entertainment goes, and so our main focus is providing somewhere that our patrons can meet each other. Of course we have DJs, Drag, the occasional Live Band, and plenty of video clips & presentations, but these simply enhance the atmosphere. Our DJs play a wide range of music: Dance, RnB, Pop, House, Rock, Retro, and the list goes on. You are sure to hear something you like. Minus18 events have free soft drink provided, and the committee constantly work to improve the overall event.
MINUS+ EVENTS Minus+ events are a lot smaller than our dance parties, with anywhere between 10-30 people per event. They're a chance to socialise and chillout with other youth away from the dance parties and music. The events are different every time (some past events include bowling, a radio tour, a movie evening). They're always fun - check out the upcoming Minus+ events here.
To see a list of frequently asked questions about our events, see the FAQ.
how safe is a minus18 event?
We take the safety of our patrons very seriously. Minus18 events are drug & alcohol free. Our events are fully supervised, with a Youth Worker in attendence. In addition to the youth worker, the Victoria Police Gay & Lesbian Liason Officers are in attendence, and we have further supervision provided by members of PFlag - usually parents who have seen their kids come out through Minus18 and want to give something back. PFlag was instrumental in starting Minus18 and provided much support during the early years of Minus18.
About Minus18 
