State Election 20092009 is an election year in Queensland. We have an opportunity to secure from major parties committments to bring full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Queenslanders and full inclusion in government policy and programs. Below you will find information on what QAHC is doing this election, along with other LGBT organisations and individuals who have formed a coalition to coordinate our efforts. You will also find information on what you can do to ensure that politicians listen to and act on the needs of LGBT Queenslanders. Contents New Poll Demonstrates Support for Further Gay Law Reform Queenslanders call on Bligh Government to actively prevent homophobic bullying in Schools Election 2009: Inclusion of LGBT Queenslanders What can you do to help in this election?
New Poll Demonstrates Support for Further Gay Law Reforms in Queensland
Media Release: January 22, 2009 Lesbian and gay community advocates have welcomed the results of a new opinion poll demonstrating that Queenslanders support further gay law reforms. The Galaxy poll conducted in December 2008 found that a majority of Queenslanders support civil unions, marriage and full legal recognition of same sex parents. “Despite being regarded as one of the most homophobic states in Australia, the majority of Queenslanders agree with further law reform to remove discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people”, said Louise DuChesne, spokesperson for Action Reform Change Queensland (ARCQ). “Currently, Queensland law treats same sex de facto couples differently to heterosexual de facto couples when it comes to their children. “Community advocates have been calling on the Bligh Government to recognise same sex parents and provide full entitlements for their children. “This poll shows that law reform in the interests of children would be supported by at least two thirds of Queenslanders. It’s time for action from the Government. “The Queensland Attorney-General, along with other state and territory Attorneys-General, supported recent reforms to federal family law to recognise non-birth parents in same-sex relationships. Why isn’t he making similar changes to the laws in this state as well? “It’s crazy to have one set of rules at the federal level and another set at the state level. It’s time that the legacies of homophobia were removed in Queensland,” said DuChesne. The poll also found that 60% of Queenslanders believe that same sex couples should be able to have a civil union with the same legal rights and responsibilities as marriage, while 54% of Queenslanders believe that same sex couples should be able to marry. “There is no impediment to the Queensland Government moving ahead on civil unions”, said Paul Martin, spokesperson for the Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC). “In the absence of gay marriage, which is in the federal jurisdiction, a Queensland-based civil unions scheme would provide documentation and certainty for same sex partners. “Attorneys-General around Australia have agreed to put in place state-base schemes but we’ve seen nothing yet from the Queensland Government”, said Martin. The call from lesbian and gay community advocates for further changes to Queensland laws comes after significant reforms to federal laws in 2008 which now recognise same sex couples and their children. The federal reforms were triggered by the recommendations of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s (HREOC) Same-Sex: Same Entitlements report in 2007. “Queensland now lags behind the rest of Australia and we call on all parties contesting the Queensland election in 2009 to make a clear commitment to remove the remaining discriminatory state laws”, said DuChesne. The poll was commissioned by a coalition of community groups and activists based in Queensland advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. Download the full Galaxy poll results here [pdf]. Queenslanders call on Bligh Government to actively prevent homophobic bullying in SchoolsMedia Alert 22 January 2009 Lesbian and gay community advocates have welcomed the results of a new opinion poll demonstrating that Queenslanders support further gay law reforms. The Galaxy poll conducted in December 2008 found that a majority of Queenslanders support civil unions, marriage and full legal recognition of same sex parents. Significantly there was almost complete agreement that schools should actively prevent and respond to homophobic bullying. A staggering (96%) of Queenslanders support a proactive approach by Education Queensland to make schools a safe and positive experience for all young Queenslanders. Coordinator of Open Doors Youth Service Lisa Thorpy welcomes this finding and has called on the Queensland Government to enact the will of the people. “In 2008 we released :There’s No Place Like Home” a report into the health, housing and wellbeing of LGBT young people in Queensland. This research found that schools were a significant source of distress for LGBT young people with 81% of respondents reporting that they had been bullied for their sexuality at school but only 12% reported that the school took action to stop the bullying” , Thorpy said. Many young people felt so afraid at school that they had missed over two school week’s schooling and 16% of participants reported that they had to change schools because of the intensity of bullying they endured. Shockingly bullying not only came from students; adults such as teachers, school administrators and parents also bullied LGBT students. Thorpy said “clearly current school anti-bullying measures do not adequately protect gay students; this is providing a discriminatory and unsafe educational environment for gay students and schools need to take further actions to ensure ALL students are safe at school. “Given that LGBT young people report extensive maltreatment and lack of support, it is unsurprising that they also report high rates of self harm and suicide attempts” said Thorpy. Nonetheless the rates are startling – within the past 12 months 82% of respondents had considered suicide and 37% of these young people had attempted suicide while 59% of them had self harmed. A copy of the full report and the Galaxy Poll is available from the Open Doors Website on www.opendoors.net.au For more information contact: Election 2009: Inclusion of LGBT QueenslandersQAHC has produced the below document which summarises the key health and wellbeing issues for LGBT Queenslanders along with actions that we call on all parties to support in this election and implement should they form government. In January 09 this was sent to the main party leaders and to relevant Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and Shadow Ministers in the hope that they will include LGBT issues in their party platforms. Once the election is called we will send it to all candidates and to party headquarters for an official response. You may like to mention some of these issues and/or actions if you meet or write to your local member/candidate. Download the QAHC State Election 2009 paper here [pdf] What can you do to help in this election?Help us ensure the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Queenslanders are heard this state election. The 2009 Queensland state election provides the LGBT communities of Queensland an opportunity to raise our issues and secure commitments for action from the main political parties and candidates. We have achieved great progress at the national level in having same-sex relationships recognised as defacto couples in over 100 pieces of legislation. And here at home the majority of Queenslanders now support gay & lesbian law reform and action by Government. QAHC has produced the statement above, outlining the key health and wellbeing issues affecting LGBT people, and the actions we are calling on the main parties to support in this election and implement should they form government. But we need your help to convince the politicians to take action. You can:
Find out who your local candidates are and background info on your electorate by visiting the ABC election website Get contact details for candidates from: Check your enrolment details are correct by visiting the Australian Electoral Commission Get information on voting, postal ballots etc by visiting the state election website Thank you for your support. By working together we can help to make Queensland an even better place for all people. Queer CoalitionQueer Coalition is a Brisbane-based network of groups and individuals working to promote GLBT rights. Queer Coalition meets at 6pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the offices of QAHC, 30 Helen Street, Newstead. To receive notices of meetings, minutes and take part in discussion, please join the Queer Coalition Yahoo Group below. |