Joe Ball was appointed as the new Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities in September for a three-year term. The Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities advocates for the rights, safety and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual communities. Commissioner Ball (he/him) is a proud transgender man. He is a longstanding LGBTIQA+ advocate and former CEO of Switchboard Victoria, with a 25-year career in disability, housing and homelessness, and social services. During his tenure with Switchboard, Joe lead the establishment of the statewide LGBTIQA+ Family Violence and Mental Health helpline Rainbow Door. Throughout his expansive career, Joe has drawn upon the strength and guidance of LGBTIQA+ history and most importantly, the work of activists who have paved the way, the courageous voices with lived experience and the wisdom of LGBTIQA+ elders.
Commissioner Ball is also a member of the Expert Advisory Group for the federal government’s 10-Year LGBTIQ+ Health and Wellbeing Plan and previously participated in several leading social service advisory committees and boards. This includes the Victorian Family Violence peak body Safe and Equal, the community advisory committee for 1800RESPECT, the Victorian LGBTIQA+ Taskforce, the Victorian Family Violence Reform Advisory Group, and the National Suicide Prevention Governance Committee.
In 2020, Joe was honoured as an award recipient in the 50 Outstanding LGBTI+ Leaders in Australia.