Media release – TasCOSS, 16 May 2022
Tasmanian community services stand up in support of trans and gender diverse people
Ahead of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia tomorrow (17 May 2022), the Tasmanian community services industry is sending a strong message of support and voicing its pride in the diversity of its employees and service users.
TasCOSS CEO Ms Adrienne Picone said sadly, transgender and gender diverse people often experience high levels of stigma, discrimination and exclusion.
“As a direct result of this discrimination, many experience high levels of mental and physical ill health as well as other vulnerabilities including homelessness and poverty,” Ms Picone said.
“This discrimination is often also the reason they need our services.
“Divisive, discriminatory and harmful statements and laws, particularly from people in or aspiring to be in positions of leadership, exacerbate these impacts.
“Our industry wants to send a strong message to the trans and gender diverse community in Tasmania, especially those who work alongside us and use our services, that you are seen, respected and supported for who you are.
“We defend your dignity, value your contribution to the Tasmanian community and stand with you in your struggle to belong.”
Ms Picone said the experiences and needs of trans and gender diverse Tasmanians were captured along with the broader LGBTIQA+ community in the recently launched LGBTIQ+ Tasmanians: Telling Us the Story Report.
“This Report will inform the Tasmanian Government’s next framework and action plan for LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians and TasCOSS looks forward to working with the Government on these,” she said.
“Key findings from the report highlight that LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians are proud of Tasmania’s unique legislation that protects and supports LGBTIQA+ rights and dignity, seeing Tasmania as ‘one of the fairest places in the country’ for LGBTIQA+ people,” she said.
“The report also found that there was still work to do with some LGBTIQA+ people still experiencing prejudice, exclusion, discrimination and violence across all aspects of Tasmanian society, at school, at work, at home and in our communities.
“We are excited to continue to be part of positive action to build on our state’s progressing and contemporary culture and to support and celebrate our diverse community, which is our greatest strength.”
