As voting closes in the marriage equality postal survey, LGBTI community advocates have warned the damage caused by the survey will continue.
Susan Ditter, Executive Director of Tasmanian LGBTI support service, Working It Out, said,
“Because of the negative and discriminatory messages during the postal survey, many LGBTI people and their families feel excluded and like they are lesser citizens.”
“With a clear Yes vote announcement there must come clear and unequivocal legislation for full equality.”
“This this will help repair some of the existing damage, prevent further damage and show that the Government listens.”
Layne Shoebridge-Harris runs a drop in and support centre in Burnie. He said,
“Since the postal survey began there has been an increase in LGBTI people seeking support.”
“Many feel looked down on and excluded because of the hate they have seen. Their self confidence has really taken a hit.”
“There needs to be more funded support services accessible to LGBTI people, especially in rural and regional areas.”
Tasmanians United for Marriage Equality spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“Votes in the postal survey will be easy to count, but we also have to count the cost of the survey to LGBTI mental health and Australia’s social fabric.”
“State and federal governments must allocate resources to support, counselling and education programs to help repair the damage caused by giving hate such a huge platform.”
Voting in the postal survey closes this afternoon with the result announced on November 15th.
Susan Ditter, Layne Shoebridge-Harris, Rodney Croome
