Ethnic+ understands that we are more than just our ethnicity. The purpose of this association is to understand and be understood through providing a safe place for members of the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) rainbow community and allies to meet, discuss and support each other through the specific challenges they may face.
About Us
Ethnic+ is a not-for-profit networking association for the CALD Rainbow community and its allies.
Ethnic+ Objectives
1. Visibility & Awareness
Increase visibility of positive Rainbow experiences in the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community through sharing stories and lived experiences.
4. Connection
Connect members with each other and the wider public.
2. Sustainability
Deliver results that balance the value provided to members and the public with the need to ensure ongoing financial viability while managing our risks and challenges.
5. Adocacy
Advocate on behalf of members and empower advocacy within membership.
3. Education & Events
Create and curate quality educational resources and events for members.
6. Growth
Increase the membership and management of the organisation and support good governance.
History
Ethnic+ was born in the heart of Brisbane, Australia in February 2020 when many hearts, minds and souls from all the world gathered to eat copious amounts of food (naturally) and share what their experiences of being culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and part of the rainbow community has meant to them.
All at different points of journey, one thing was in common – this terrible problem of having felt at one point in time or even currently to live dual lives – one as a queer person of colour or cultural diversity and one as what they thought their families wanted. Thus, Ethnic+ was born. To network, collect and together share stories, experiences and love to overcome this problem we all faced. We believe stories save lives and we’re determined to increase the visibility and support available for the CALD Rainbow community in Australia.
Ethnic+ sister organisation is Ethnic LGBT+ (www.ethniclgbt.com) where our stories of the rainbow community are proudly housed and are now proudly officially part of the Queensland State Library’s archives – for the first time in Queensland history, the stories of the Ethnic Rainbow community are officially documented as part of State records.
Our Executive Team
Sheetal Deo
PresidentSheetal is a lawyer by qualification and an advocate by choice. In her 'day job' she works with the Queensland Law Society to support law students in their journey from law school to lawyer and then in their formative years of practice. When Sheetal isn't advocating on behalf of her lawyer peers, she's working alongside them to advocate for members of marginalised communities or moderate means via her own private practice, Shakti Legal Solutions. Sheetal started Shakti as a means to improve access to justice and works with a network of firms to ensure her clients get the help they need within their means.
In addition to the above, Sheetal loves smothering her elderly foster doggo, Oofi, entertaining her friends either with home workouts or home cooking and eating 🙂
Jae Spann
SecretaryJae grew up in Brisbane in what you could consider a standard upbringing with her family, but she always felt a little different. It was only a few years ago that she realised why. She now loves being part of the rainbow community, for her, it feels like home.
Jae works in marketing and event management, and has organised events all throughout Queensland and internationally, in London and India.
When Jae is not on the job, or madly taking the minutes for Ethnic+ meetings, she works on her family tree, tracing her family heritage back to the Yuin people of New South Wales. Jae also has a deep love of astrology, she enjoys expanding her knowledge and sharing her findings with friends.
Mikhara Ramsing
TreasurerMikhara is a proud queer South African Indian Australian woman from Brisbane, Australia. She loves all things social enterprise and runs a delicious chai company (Miks Chai) that funds suicide prevention. Her hobbies include travelling around Australia in her tiny home, drinking chai all the time and hanging out with her young siblings playing basketball or baking. She believes stories save lives and is humbled to be able to crunch the numbers for Ethnic+.
Jaanvi
Digital Marketing DirectorBy day, Jaanvi is a passionate electrical engineer and the co-founder of Pride in Power - a Power & Energy sector focused support network for the LGBTIQA+ community in the workplace.
She is passionate about storytelling and developing content that touches hearts and nourishes the soul. “The media is an extremely powerful tool and has the power to change perspectives and melt hearts”.
She strongly believes that everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, supported and celebrated for who they are. For members of the CALD LGBTIQA+ community, this can be particularly challenging as navigating the intersectional identities of dual cultures, faith and sexuality can certainly feel like an isolating experience and it is this gap in representation, that she is committed to bridging.