Media Release
Wednesday September 25th 2019
 
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DEBATE TAKING HEAVIER TOLL ON LGBTIQ+ AUSTRALIANS THAN POSTAL SURVEY
LGBTIQ+ AUSTRALIANS WANT MPs WHO VOTED FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY TO SPEAK UP IN FACE OF NEW THREATS
 
The religious freedom and discrimination debate is taking a heavy toll on LGBTIQ+ people, with more than 80% saying they feel worse now than during the 2017 marriage equality postal survey.
 
The stark figure is from a survey of almost 4,500 LGBTIQ+ Australians and their allies conducted by just.equal.
 
Other headline results include
 
70.9% of LGBTIQ+ people agree that the primary aim of religious freedom advocates is to take away the rights of LGBTIQ+ people.
 
43.5% of LGBTIQ+ people agree Australia is not accepting, which is almost double the percentage (22.3%) who felt it was not accepting before marriage equality.
 
62.2% of LGBTIQ+ people feel vulnerable, 67.2% angry and 78.4% not respected.
 
97.9% of LGBTIQ+ people believe religious organisations like schools and hospitals should not be allowed to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, while 92% believe individuals should be able to say whatever they want about LGBTIQ+ people in the name of religion 
 
84.9% believe the media is biased against transgender people, 88% believe politicians are less interested in trans rights than they were in marriage equality, and 90% believe trans and gender diverse people are suffering as a result.
 
70.8% want to see much more LGBTIQ+ equality advocacy from moderate Liberals. 58.7% want much more from Labor and 32.9% want much more from the Greens.
 
Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
 
“It is a shameful indictment on Australia’s leaders that LGBTIQ+ Australians feel worse now than during the postal survey.”
 
“The message to all politicians who voted for marriage equality but are currently silent is this: your complicity with homophobia and transphobia is hurting LGBTIQ+ Australians, so speak up for our equal dignity and against religious privilege now!”
 
“We will make sure every politician who voted for marriage equality has a copy of this survey on their desk asap.”
 
The survey looked at LGBTIQ+ family and friends and colleagues, as well LGBTIQ+ people themselves. Similar results among these allies indicate that the negative impact of the current religious discrimination and transgender debates extend to many millions of Australians.
 
Key allies results are:
 
78.0% felt unhappy because of the current religious discrimination and transgender debates
70.3% had noticed LGBTIQ+ friends, colleagues or family members feeling upset or unfairly treated
 
The survey was designed by social science researcher, Dr Sharon Dane, with a multi-mode recruitment strategy to ensure the sample reflects the demographic diversity of the broader population.
 
The survey results are below.
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
 
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Dr Sharon Dane on 0403 895 268.
 
***
 
National Survey conducted 27th August to 8th September 2019

Demographics

Total 
4,446 participants – 70% LGBTIQ+ (3,125) ad 30% Allies (1, 741)

Gender
Of the LGBTIQ+ sample, 50.7% identified as female (remainder male and non-binary). Of the Allies sample, 76.6% identified as female

Age and Residence
Ages ranged 18-75+ years with just under 60% of the sample under 45 years of age. Participants were from all states and territories with the three largest percentages representing NSW (28.1%), VIC (25.0%) and QLD (16.6%)

Results

1. Response to the current religious debate
 
The majority of LGBTIQ+ people reported currently feeling the following during the current “religious freedom and discrimination debate”
  • Targeted to very targeted – 63.3%
  • Worried to very worried – 70.4%
  • Vulnerable to very vulnerable – 62.2%
  • Angry to very angry – 67.2%
  • Tired to very tired – 70.6%
  • Not Respected to not at all respected – 78.4%

2. Allies' responses
 
While the majority of ALLIES shared their LGBTIQ+ friends and family members feelings, their most common negative responses were the following:
  • Not satisfied to not at all satisfied – 86.4%
  • Not happy to not at all happy – 78.0%

3. Comparisons between 2019, 2017 and before
 
Feelings before marriage equality, when marriage equality was passed and now
  • 70.5% of LGBTIQ+ people reported feeling negative to very negative during the postal survey period before marriage equality was passed
  • 81.6% reported that they felt the same or worse during the current religious freedom and discrimination debate
  • 88.0% of LGBTIQ+ people felt positive or very positive after marriage equality was passed
  • 80.7% reported they now feel worse
  • 79.3% of ALLIES also reported that they feel worse now compared with when marriage equality was passed

4. Perceptions of acceptance in Australia
 
Both LGBTIQ+ participants and Allies felt Australia as a nation is even more unaccepting of LGBTIQ+ people now during the “religious freedom and discrimination” debate than it was even prior to marriage equality being passed
  • Prior to marriage equality, 22.3% felt Australia was not to not at all accepting
  • After marriage equality passed, 6.5% felt Australia was not to not at all accepting
  • During current religious freedom/discrimination debate, 43.5% felt Australia was not to not at all accepting
 
5. Views on religious discrimination
  • 92% (92.0% LGBTIQ+; 92.4% Allies) don’t think individuals should have the right to say whatever they like about LBGTIQ+ people in the name of their religion
  • 96.6% (97.9% LGBTIQ+; 93.8% Allies) don’t believe religious organisations, including schools, hospitals and other services should be allowed to discriminate against LGBTIQ+ students, teachers, staff and clients (e.g., refuse employment or services)

6. Views on the push for religious freedom

The majority of LGBTIQ+ participants and Allies felt the primary aim of religious organisations that are advocating for greater religious freedom was to take away the rights of LGBTIQ+ people – 67.9% (70.9% LGBTIQ+; 60.6% Allies).

Only 7.9% felt the aim was to protect the rights of people of faith while also protecting the rights of LGBTIQ+ people

7. Views on the transgender debate

Both LGBTIQ+ participants and Allies felt the following about the current debate regarding transgender and gender diverse people:
  • 84.9% disagree the media provides a balanced view
  • 88% feel politicians are less interested in equality for transgender and gender diverse people than there were for about achieving marriage equality
  • 90% feel transgender and gender diverse people are suffering as a result
  • 93.1% feel Australia is better off when transgender and gender diverse people are accepted and affirmed.
8. Allies' view of pressure on LGBTIQ+ people
 
70.3% of Allies reported noticing their LGBTIQ+ friends, colleagues or family members feeling upset or feeling unfairly treated as a result of the current religious freedom and discrimination debate and the debate around transgender rights

9. Views on politicians' responses

The extent participants would like to see the following advocate for the equality of LGBTIQ+ Australians:
  • 70.8% much more by moderate Liberals
  • 58.7% much more by Labor
  • 32.9% much more by the Greens
  • 29.1% much more by LGBTIQ+ advocacy group
 
 
 
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