For some, Christmas can be a time of stress, family conflict, and long boring cricket matches on TV. Or it can mean guaranteed over-indulgence and good times with loved ones. For some, it’s all of the above and then some.

While the silly season may make many of us either lament or rejoice, we should all spare a thought for the disadvantaged members of the GLBT community at this time of year. Some of them will be less concerned about putting on weight or making new year’s resolutions, and more pre-occupied with where they’ll rest their heads on Christmas night. Some will be dealing with issues like HIV, or living with homophobia within their own homes.

There are a select group of GLBT-focused charities around the country who help people in these situations. Over the festive period they could really use any assistance that you can give, whether it be money, gifts, or even just some of your time. In return, you’ll have a warm fuzzy feeling that will stay with you for weeks.

We know for a fact that Same Samers are a warm, giving bunch. Most of those amongst us would readily donate $20 to a local charity instead of spending it on a couple of Christmas drinks. More often than not, the problem is that unless a charity is dangling a bucket in front of our faces, it can be difficult to figure out how to give our money to a good cause.

So, if you’ve got a spare buck or a few hours up your sleeve and you’d like to give it back to the community, check out the list below.

Contributing this Christmas can be as easy as a quick online credit card donation, or as involved as donating some of your own time to those in need.

If you have another great idea to add to the list, or if you think we’ve missed a charity, add it to the comments section.

Donate Your Money.
There are countless GLBT charities around Australia who would benefit from a monetary donation of some sort. Here are links to some of them:

Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF)
The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation is Australia’s oldest HIV charitable organisation and the only one of its kind. Founded in 1984, it provides direct financial and practical assistance, financial counselling, housing and employment support to people directly disadvantaged by HIV in New South Wales. Click here to donate your time or money today.

Camp Goodtime & Positive Kids
Camp Goodtime is an annual four day volunteer camp for families and children living with HIV. The camp provides education, medical updates, and psychological, social and peer support to reduce isolation. Along with a recreational and therapeutic environment where families from around Australia can share valuable experiences with others in similar situations. Cash donations or christmas presents for children are welcomed. Click here for donation details or contact Angela Miller at Sydney Children’s Hospital on (02) 9382 1851.

Aids Trust of Australia
Famed for the awesome Food & Wine Fair that they put on in Sydney each year, the Aids Trust of Australia works tirelessly to raise and distribute funds towards aids awareness initiatives around the country. Click here to send them an online donation.

Open Doors (QLD)
Open Doors is QLD-based not-for-profit organisation that focuses on helping disadvantaged GLBT youth. Click here to send them a donation or learn more about volunteering at Open Doors

Gay & Lesbian Counselling Service of Australia (All States)
Thanks to the selfless work of volunteers, each state in Australia has their own dedicated glbt phone counselling service. Follow this link to donate money. Alternatively, send an online enquiry and sign up to become a phone counsellor. The experience will change your life!

The ALSO Foundation (VIC)
{also} works to enhance the lives of Victoria’s diverse gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer communities. You can get involved by donating, volunteering, being a corporate partner, or even buying clothes from their op shop. Click here for more info or to make an online donation

Donate Your Dinner (sort of).

Twenty10
Twenty10 is a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on improving the lives of GLBT youth and their families in NSW. Earlier this year Twenty10 came up with a unique way for people to raise funds by hosting a dinner party. The initiative is Dinner At My Place (DAMP) where hosts ask their dinner guests to donate to the charity Twenty10. DAMP will continue through to Feb 2010, so you’ve still got time to put on a do and collect the funds. There’s even an online option for you to set up donations online, so you don’t have to take cash at the dinner. Follow this link to learn more about DAMP. or click here to make a direct online donation to Twenty10.

Donate Your Time.
While money talks, volunteering your time speaks volumes. Every single Aids Council of Australia needs volunteers in some way, as do other key community charities. Check out these links for more info on how you can help out in your community.

Tropical Fruits
Each year Tropical Fruits goes off with a big gay bang in Lismore, NSW. The festival relies on the support of volunteers to help make it a grand success, and the kickbacks are unreal. If you would like to volunteer please contact Marie on 0427 227 412.

Aids Councils of Australia
Each state has its own dedicated Aids Council, all of which can benefit from the help of volunteers and monetary donations. Follow the links below for more info on your local Aids Council:
ACON
QAHC
VAC
WAAC
AAC
tasCAHRD
ACSA
NTAHC

Merry Christmas from all of us here at Same Same.