LGBTI rights advocates have written to Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, asking him to meet with transgender and gender diverse Australians.

 

The call comes in response to Mr Morrison’s tweet condemning support for transgender and gender diverse students in schools.

 

Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

 

“We have asked Mr Morrison to meet and talk with transgender and gender diverse Australians so he can better understand the terrible impact of prejudice and ignorance.”

 

“Australia’s most respected mental health group, Beyond Blue, has found that most transgender and gender diverse young people experience abuse because of who they are, leading in turn to higher levels of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.”

 

“In response, Beyond Blue has recommended the kind of teacher awareness Mr Morrison is rubbishing.”

 

“If Mr Morrison is going ‘to be on the side of Australia’ he must open his heart to those Australians who are the most vulnerable to hate and fear.”

 

In its letter to Mr Morrison, just.equal has also asked him to meet with survivors of LGBTI "conversion therapy", which Mr Morrison declared to be “not an issue for me".

 

“Anything that inflicts unnecessary and preventable harm on everyday Australians should be of concern to the Prime Minister”, Mr Croome said.

 

Mr Croome went on to criticise attacks by the Prime Minister via twitter.

 

“Australians do not want their Prime Minister imitating Donald Trump by sniping against minorities on twitter. It is weak, irresponsible and not the Australian way.”

 

A copy of Mr Morrison's tweet is attached.

 

For more information about the Beyond Blue study go to...