Dameyon Bonson Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 2016

Dameyon Bonson

Dameyon Bonson, a Mangarayi and Torres Strait Islander male, is a Kimberley based social entrepreneur and a consultant in the prevention of Indigenous suicide. He is the founding CEO of Black Rainbow, an organisation working towards the prevention of suicide for Indigenous LGBT people. Earlier this year he received the Dr. Yunupingu for Human Rights Award because for his work in the prevention of Indigenous LGBT suicide. He is a National Advisor on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project and is leading the conversation for a National Coalition for the Prevention of Indigenous Suicide. Dameyon is also the founding Co-Chair of the Global Caucus for Gender and Sexuality Diverse Indigenous People and in May 2017 he will return to the United Nations Permanent Forum Indigenous Issues in New York to formalise a global initiative toward the prevention Indigenous LGBT suicide and support overall well-being. This year Dameyon was also special guest of the Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Persons during his Australian visit.