CALL ON MORRISON TO DROP RELIGIOUS BIAS BILL IN WAKE OF U.S. LGBTIQ DISCRIM RULING
"The U.S. Supreme Court decision confirms LGBTIQ inclusion and dignity to be a civil right that trumps the divisive and dehumanising ideology behind Australia's flawed Religious Discrimination Bill." - Rodney Croome
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a decision backed by conservative members including appointees of President Trump, ruled that LGBTIQ people are protected from discrimination in employment under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, specifically that section of the Act prohibiting sex discrimination.
Meanwhile, the Religious Discrimination Bill proposed by the Australian Government would weaken existing protections from demeaning and discriminatory conduct for LGBTIQ and other people, if that conduct is in the name of religion.
Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
"The US Supreme Court has sent a clear message to the Morrison Government that enacting stronger discrimination protections for LGBTIQ people is the right thing to do, regardless of where you sit on the political spectrum."
"The Supreme Court decision confirms LGBTIQ inclusion and dignity to be a civil right that trumps the divisive and dehumanising ideology behind Australia's flawed Religious Discrimination Bill."
"It's time for the Morrison Government to withdraw the Religious Discrimination Bill and instead enact a broad ranging Human Rights Act to protect all rights equally."
The Religious Discrimination Bill has been put on hold during the pandemic, but LGBTIQ advocates fear it will be introduced to Parliament later this year or next year.
Mr Croome said the Supreme Court decision will improve the lives of many LGBTIQ Americans, especially at a time when the Trump administration is winding back existing LGBTIQ discrimination protections, including for transgender Americans in health care.
"The message from the Supreme Court to the White House is that all Americans deserve equal protection under the law."
If enacted, the Australian Religious Discrimination Bill would
- allow demeaning "statements of belief" regardless of workplace inclusion policies
- override state laws by allowing humiliating and intimidating language in the name of religion
- allow health practitioners to refuse treatments they object to
- entrench the right of religious organisations to discriminate
For news reports about the American decision:
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668
