Equality advocates welcome LGBTI commitments from three Tas parties

NO IMPACT EXPECTED FROM AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN LOBBY SCAREMONGERING

Equality advocates have welcomed commitments from all three major parties to tackling discrimination against LGBTI Tasmanians.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“Despite the passage of marriage equality there are still examples of discrimination and inequality that need to be addressed, particularly when it comes to LGBTI school students, and to transgender and intersex Tasmanians.”

“I welcome commitments from all three parties to addressing these outstanding issues.”

“I’m optimistic that whichever party wins government, there will be progress towards a less discriminatory and more inclusive Tasmania.”

Mr Croome said last night’s LGBTI election forum saw candidates from all three parties re-inforce the commitments their parties have made before an audience of over 60 community members.

“It was reassuring to see all three parties deal with LGBTI issues in such a serious and detailed manner.”

Some key commitments from the three major parties are below, as well as links to the parties’ full written responses.

Mr Croome went on to dismiss an Australian Christian Lobby election leaflet that condemns Safe Schools and the decriminalisation of sex work.

“The ACL’s Safe Schools scare campaign didn’t work in Tasmania during last year’s postal survey and it won’t work during this year’s election.”

“If the ACL wants to make a positive difference it should address actual social problems in Tasmania like hospital waiting times and long-term unemployment, instead of obsessing over sex.”

Here is a list of key party commitments, plus links to each party’s full response to our election survey:

Liberal Party
– removal of requirement for transgender married partners to divorce before their gender is officially recognised
– serious consideration of removing other legal inequities facing transgender people
– funding for LGBTI school inclusion program
– no decision made yet on weakening the Anti-Discrimination Act
The full Liberals’ response to LGBTIQ election survey can be found here: http://ymlpsend3.com/zNA4Pw

Labor Party
– extension of funding for inclusive schools program
– stand alone LGBTI mental health strategy
– consultation on transgender and intersex law reform and recognition of non-binary gender
– protect the Anti-Discrimination Act
– review of options for conversion therapy ban
Labor’s full response to LGBTIQ election survey can be found here: http://ymlpsend3.com/zOHpwZ

Tasmanian Greens
– increased investment in LGBTI-specific mental health, inclusive schools and public education campaigns
– removal of all legal discrimination against transgender and intersex people and allow for recognition of non-binary gender
– protect and improve the Anti-Discrimination Act
– ban on so-called “conversion therapy” for LGBTI people
The Greens’ full response to LGBTIQ election survey can be found here: http://ymlpsend3.com/zUC9rz
The Greens’ own LGBTIQ election policy is here: http://bit.ly/2CqsgaI

The TGLRG LGBTI community survey can be found here: http://ymlpsend3.com/zuk9IZ
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome