BELINDA BIRTLES
CHAIRPERSON BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Belinda has worked extensively with individuals experiencing mental health concerns in both in-patient and out-patient settings. She is passionate about sexual minorities’ mental health and has been working as a Psychologist since 2005.

One of Belinda’s main areas of clinical interest is within the minority sector. She sees clients pre and post transition and is available to conduct assessments for SRS and other surgical or medical procedures requiring psychological input. Belinda also sees many clients for other various mental health concerns and support and is extremely passionate about supporting sexual minorities.

Belinda has a Bachelor of Psychology with Honors and a Masters in Clinical Psychology. She has worked with in both the public system (Queensland Health: The Prince Charles Hospital: Adult Mental Health Services), her private practice (Brisbane Southside Psychology) and community organizations such as Diverse Voices & Qlife.

Belinda provides supervision to psychologists undergoing their post-graduate training in clinical psychology, psychologists wishing to join the Clinical College that are in the Registrar Program and psychologists wanting ongoing supervision for their professional development, or other disciplines requiring clinical supervision.

Belinda was previously a Member of the Board of Directors for The Australian Professional Association for Trans Health. She is also on the AusPATH Education Committee and a Clinical Supervisor for the College of Professional Psychology in Sydney
Belinda is a registered Work cover Provider and sees many QPS/QAS workers
Belinda worked as the Queensland Clinical Supervisor for Qlife/Diverse Voices between 2017-2020 (Qlife is Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for sexual minorities.

Belinda was a nominee for the 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021 Brisbane Trans Awards for Ally of the Year & in 2021 for Health Professional of the Year (hosted by Many Genders One Voice:
Belinda was awarded The Prince Charles Hospital Mental Health Allied Health Excellence Award in 2015

ROSE (She/Her/Hers/Accomplice)
VICE CHAIRPERSON BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rose resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA. Rose is an American-Australian Elder Rainbow member who has been living, surviving, thriving with HIV/AIDS 38+ years documented. Rose has been an HIV Advocate/Educator & Caregiver to many living with HIV/AIDS from the early days whilst living in the City of Los Angeles, California and has had short stories of HIV Advocacy published in Australia & America. An avid researcher on health & well- being, recipient and Peer Provider of Behavioral Health, Behavioral Health Peer Support Group Facilitator (USA Nationally, Australia & New Zealand), public speaker, bringer of hope to people with or at risk for HIV and Mental Health challenges.

Rose has enjoyed the opportunity to provide Peer Support with people living in Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya. Rose’s intersectionality and intentional advocacy, activist & human rights defender work is focused on meeting people where they are at with the vast knowledge gained over three decades of lived HIV /AIDS experience, participation in multiple AIDS Education Training Centers (PAETC, MAAETC, NEAETC) trainings, webinars, Conferences & Symposiums.

Rose is so excited to learn, collaborate, mentor, and apply the wisdom, knowledge, friendship & community gained to advocate for/on HIV issues all people with HIV experience, raising awareness to Legislative Representatives, Departments of Health & stakeholder organizations.

Rose is currently involved with many HIV Organizations and Coalitions ad is  part of the following: WHO Tropical Disease Research Equity Working Group, The-Choice-Agenda (AVAC), IAS-USA Member, Positively Trans National Advisory Board Member, National PrEP Program Coalition, USPLHIV HIV Caucus, Sero Project, HINAC (HIV Is Not A Crime) National Training Academy graduate, Positive Women’s Network USA (PWN-USA) 2023-2024 PWN-USA Policy Fellow, PWN-PA local group organizer, Pennsylvania HIV Planning Group/Steering Committee Member – Intersectional and Innovation Sub- Committee Co-Chair, Arizona Statewide Advisory Group Member, Rustbelt Center For AIDS Research (CFAR) Scientific Working Group (SWG), Rustbelt CFAR Sex and Gender SWG Advisory Board Member, Rustbelt CFAR Substance Use Special Interest Group Member, Pennsylvania HIV Justice Alliance Coalition, Pennsylvania Governor’s Office Rainbow communities Commission Aging Working Group, and Western Pennsylvania Older Adults Advocacy Team & Legislative Sub-Committee.

MAX
BOARD MEMBER

Max was born in Rome Italy in 1968 and arrived in the U.S. in 1998. He has since worked and volunteer in social justice related causes and human rights. Founder and Executive Director of the Services for Rainbow and Pride by the beach.

Education and Training:

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science (2011) and Master’s on Non-Profit Leadership and Management (2016).
Rainbow Awareness Trainer: Police Fire and Sheriff Stations. School Districts, Hospitals, Community Clinics, Women Resource Centers, corporate environments, youth providers and more. Max’s expertise are also on human trafficking prevention, Rainbow immigrants and queer homeless youth.

Max is currently involved with:
Oceanside City Commissioner since 2023 Community Relations Commission
San Diego Rainbow Leadership Council since 2009
San Diego Rainbow Advisory Committee for the County of Education
SD County Sheriff Rainbow Advisory Council since 2013
FBI advisory summit since 2016
Oceanside MLK Scholarship Award Committee since 2013
Oceanside MLK Civic Award Committee since 2013
Advisory Committee for Behavioral Health Services since 2019
Children Hospital Advisory Committee on gender affirming care 

Former:
City of Oceanside Community Relation Commissioner 2008-2011
Senate appointee -California State Board of Behavioral Science Chair (BBS) 20016-23
Board member of the Oceanside Mainstreet Association 2012-2016
Oceanside Library Board 2014-2019 

Some Awards and Recognitions:

2010 San Diego Harvey Milk Award

2011 Lambda Archives “Heroes, Pioneers & Trailblazers” Award

2013 Martin Luther King Community Award by the City of Oceanside

2013 KPBS Local Heroes Award

2013 Stonewall Service Award, San Diego Rainbow Pride

2017 Digna Ochoa Human Rights Defender Award Amnesty International #471

2019 San Diego Museum of History. Local Rainbow personal Profile.

2019 City of Oceanside Local Hero for Independence Day Parade

2019 Citizen of the Month Award from Congressman Mike Levin

2022 50 Most Influential People in SD County Award

VIOLET BLACK
SECRETARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Violet has always been a firm believer in equal rights for all people. We are all human beings and as such we all deserve to enjoy equal rights, regardless of race, gender, color, disability or any other factor that divides people into a minority community.  Oppression of underprivileged minorities by majority communities is undeniably wrong and it creates an imbalanced world. Such oppression must not be tolerated by the majority if the world is ever to know true harmony and balance. Acceptance of the differences that divide people is essential, embracing the differences between people creates a rich, inclusive society that benefits all humanity.
To this end she has donated her time in various capacities for the past 40 years in sexual minority communities. In 2016 Violet was nominated in the category of “Ally of the Year” at The Queens Ball Awards in Brisbane.
Violet has a history in performing and creative arts, and has also worked in food service and market research. She is an advocate of a more natural approach to Medicine which inspired her to train as a therapist and she attained a Diploma of Health Science (Aromatherapy) a Certificate IV in Aromatherapy and a Certificate IV in Massage Therapy.  She has also worked as a DJ and she ran her own nightclubs for several years.
Her hobbies include jewelry making, badge making, various types of paper crafts and artwork including nail art, cooking and music.