LGBTIQ+ Health Australia was born out of a growing need for a more holistic view of LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing. This need was first recognised at a series of national LGBTIQ+ health conferences, named Health in Difference (or HiD).

In 1996, the first HiD conference brought together community groups, individuals, policy-makers, health practitioners and academics. This group shared a small but growing awareness of the diversity of health concerns faced by LGBTIQ+ people. By 2007, at the seventh HiD conference, a national organisation with a broad focus on LGBTIQ+ health was recommended.