CALL TO URGENTLY RE-ESTABLISH FEDERAL PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF LGBTIQA+ GROUP
"In Pride Month 2022, we call on our MPs to display their pride and allyship to all LGBTIQA+ people and ensure all of LGBTIQA+ feel and are valued as part of our national democratic processes." - Sally Goldner
Just.Equal Australia advisor Sally Goldner AM has called on Australian federal politicians to urgently re-establish the Federal Parliamentary Friends of LGBTIQA+ Australians Group as politicians visit Canberra this week in preparation for the new, post-election Parliament.
“It is vital that as many of our 227 federal MPs as possible hear about the negative impact of recent events on our communities as well as the positive and proactive initiatives that could be taken to counterbalance this impact."
"Parliament must act swiftly to show that LGBTIQA+ people are fully valued as part of democratic processes and society.”
"The constant attacks on our communities, in particular trans and gender diverse (trans) people over the last 6 years, have been extremely damaging. The decisions by world sporting bodies to ostracize trans women in recent days are more sledgehammer blows to the mental health of trans people."
“Many in intersex, bisexual and asexual/aromantic (ace) communities are effectively being pushed further back down the line when their needs and issues are equally as pressing.”
“There are plenty of issues that the Parliamentary Friends of LGBTIQA+ Australians Group could quickly address, or commence work on."
"These include removing religious exemptions from federal discrimination law; public education campaigns supporting truth and facts about ace, bisexual, intersex and trans lives; full Medicare coverage of trans affirmation treatments; workplace discrimination protection for trans and intersex people in the Fair Work Act; removal of the gay, bi and trans blood bans; and the creation of a national trans working group to establish and implement uniform guidelines for recording identity on documents."
"In Pride Month 2022, we call on our MPs to display their pride and allyship to all LGBTIQA+ people and ensure all of LGBTIQA+ feel and are valued as part of our national democratic processes."
Ms Goldner said "we look forward to hearing MPs affirming their support for our community be re-establishing the Parliamentary Friends of LGBTIQA+ Australians group".
A Parliamentary Friends of LGBTIQA+ Australians Group has existed in federal parliament for many years and has included members from the Labor, Liberal and Green parties as well as independents.
For more information contact Sally Goldner AM on 0407 946 242.
