Australia’s longest-running HIV charity, the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, is entering a new chapter.
After more than 40 years supporting people living with HIV through wraparound care, the foundation has expanded its services to offer National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support to everyone – regardless of HIV status.
The move reflects a significant evolution for the organisation, which has been a lifeline for LGBTQIA+ people since its formation in 1984. It also positions BGF as a uniquely community-focused disability support provider – one that understands and celebrates LGBTQIA+ identities.
“We know that LGBTQIA+ people living with a disability can struggle to find services that truly understand who they are,” said BGF CEO Nick Lawson. “At BGF, we’ve built our reputation on inclusive, grassroots care – and we’re proud to now offer NDIS support to everyone who needs it. We want to be the disability provider that people think of when they need care.”
From grassroots beginnings to national service
BGF’s origins date back to 1984, when friends of Bobby Goldsmith – one of the first Australians to die from an AIDS-related illness – came together to care for him at home, ensuring he spent his final weeks surrounded by love and dignity. Their compassion sparked a movement: if that level of support could be provided for one person, it could be done for many.
For four decades since, BGF has remained the only community-based organisation in Australia solely focused on delivering frontline services to people living with HIV. Its work has combined practical, emotional and financial support, allowing clients to live independently and with dignity.
Now, as a registered NDIS provider, BGF is extending this legacy of care to people throughout New South Wales and South Australia – including those in the LGBTQIA+ community who may have felt excluded from mainstream disability services.
A trusted space for LGBTQIA+ communities
LGBTQIA+ people living with disability often face multiple layers of discrimination – from healthcare settings that don’t affirm their identities, to services that don’t recognise the unique challenges queer communities face. BGF is seeking to fill this gap.
Its NDIS services are built on the same community-led, person-centred approach that has defined the organisation since its inception. Clients can expect tailored support that understands their identities and lived experiences, with a focus on social connection and mental health – two areas where LGBTQIA+ communities often experience higher needs.
For gay men who may not have strong family support structures, for example, building independence can be both a personal and practical goal. For others who’ve felt unseen in mainstream disability systems, BGF offers a space where their identity isn’t just accepted – it’s celebrated.
Inclusive services, no matter your status
While BGF’s name is synonymous with HIV support, its NDIS expansion makes clear that anyone living with a disability can now access its services. This includes people within and beyond LGBTQIA+ communities, across metro and regional areas.
The organisation is accredited under the National Disability Insurance Agency and remains a registered not-for-profit with no political or religious affiliation. Its services are available online and in person.
BGF’s expansion also comes at a time when access to affirming disability services is increasingly critical. Many queer people report negative experiences with mainstream providers, or avoid seeking support altogether. By combining professional expertise with deep community connection, BGF aims to change that.
Continuing a legacy of care
The decision to broaden BGF’s services doesn’t replace its decades-long commitment to people living with HIV – it builds on it. The same principles that guided a small group of friends in 1984 now underpin a modern disability service with national reach.
As BGF steps into this next phase, its mission remains clear: to ensure everyone can live with dignity, on their own terms.
Learn more at bgf.org.au
The Gay Sydney News staff writers' account is used for stories written collaboratively by our newsroom team or contributed by multiple reporters. Articles published under this byline reflect the combined efforts of our journalists, editors, and contributors, bringing together diverse perspectives from across Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community.
