LGBTIQ Australians have been urged to have their say on proposals to allow new forms of legal discrimination against same-sex couples in return for marriage equality.

 

Advocacy groups just.equal and PFLAG have released a national survey asking LGBTIQ Australians their views on whether civil celebrants, businesses and government officials should be legally able to refuse their services to same-sex couples on the basis of religious values or personal conscience.

 

Just.equal national campaigner, Ivan Hinton-Teoh, said,

 

"The national survey has been designed by experts and will provide the most accurate representation of LGBTIQ community opinion possible."

 

"We will use the results of the survey to inform our lobbying and advocacy on marriage equality, beginning with the current Senate marriage equality inquiry."

 

PFLAG national spokesperson, Shelley Argent said,

 

"The terms and conditions attached to marriage equality matter to each and every LGBTIQ Australian and the final decision about where to draw the line should lie with everyone who is affected, not just with small groups of politicians and lobbyists."

 

"I urge every LGBTIQ Australian to take the survey."

 

The survey was designed with the assistance of social scientist Dr Sharon Dane who contributed in a private capacity.

 

Last year the Government issued marriage equality legislation as part of its doomed attempt to run a plebiscite on the issue.

 

The legislation allowed legal discrimination by civil celebrants and faith-owned businesses specifically against same-sex couples.

 

Prominent members of the Government have said this should go further to include all businesses where the owner has an objection to same-sex marriage, and even government employees.

 

The survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XNFXTDZ