After two years of lobbying, advocacy group Transgender Victoria has finally been given tax deductible, or Deductible Gift Recipients (DGR), status.

As tax time arrives, many community organisations are urging the public to make donations which can be claimed back.

Transgender Victoria spokesperson Sally Goldner says tax deductible status will have a massive impact on the advocacy group, as they are currently searching for a new home.

"We're looking at something similar to the Sydney Gender Centre, and donations will really help that. We're looking for a home, a town hall for transgender people, offering a range of services."

The Sydney Gender Centre is located in inner Sydney and aims to educate the public and providers about the needs of people with gender issues. It runs counselling, social and support services for transgendered people.

Ms Goldner said she'd like to organise scheduled times for people to be able to drop in and speak confidentially, and have the funding to be able to direct proactive education programs to people in Victoria.

She said that up to 30 percent of calls received are still 'coming out' calls from people needing to speak someone who understands their situation.

The list of community groups with tax deductible status includes:

AIDS Trust of Australia
Australian Lesbian & Gay Archives
ALSOCARE and Benevolent Society (not the ALSO Foundation)
Gay & Lesbian Switchboard
JOY 98.9 FM
Midsumma Festival
Minus18 (via a donation to ALSOCARE, allocated to Minus18)
People Living With HIV/AIDS Victoria (PLWHAV)
Victorian Aids Council
 
By ANDIE NOONAN