Send an email to ABC's Q and A, SBS's Insight or other of our listed current affairs programs using our guide to issues, and help put pressure on for sexuality & gender equality to be considered as priorities for debate.
At this point in the election campaigns, the issues that are debated are crucial to applying pressure to political parties, as well as persuading people how they should vote in the election.
POINTS TO MAKE
- This election I will be deciding my vote based on the sexuality & gender policies of the political parties
- So far, none of the major parties have made any significant commitment to same-sex marriage, gender identity recognition or anti-discrimination legislation on the basis of sexuality and gender
- I want to hear the political parties explain their positions
SUBMIT YOUR LETTER / REQUEST
ABC show where politicians are questioned by political analysts and audience members on topical issues. You can submit a question to be asked via their website.
Insight
SBS show Insight puts key public figures on the spot about issues that affect ordinary people. Its a great chance for people to have their views heard. You can debate issues covered online after the shows, with politicians often staying to answer questions.
SOME KEY POINTS ABOUT EQUALITY
Relationship Recognition
- Civil unions are not a replacement for marriage - it is a message that gay people aren't good enough for marriage to create a seperate institution just to avoid letting them marry
- Marriage is not a religious institution - it existed before and throughout many religions, and in Australia you can get married without having any religious beliefs at all, and regardless of your faith
- All the latest polls show Australians overwhelmingly in support of same-sex marriage, a minority of discriminatory people should not decide whether others' love is sufficient for marriage
- It is time our government listened to its people, instead of trading our rights for the votes of conservatives
Gender Identity Recognition
- Transgendered and Intersex people have been ignored in our society and by our governments
- The Human Right's Commission Report Sex Files showed that people of diverse sex or gender are discriminated against across a variety of societal institutions
- Our government should implement the recommendations of the Human Rights Commission, including:
- Marital status should not be a relevant consideration as to whether or not a person can request a change in legal sex.
- The definition of sex affirmation treatment should be broadened so that surgery is not the only criteria for a change in legal sex.
- The evidentiary requirements for the legal recognition of sex should be relaxed by reducing the quantity of medical evidence required and making greater allowance for people to self-identify their sex.
- The special needs of children and young people who wish to amend their documents and records should be considered.
- A person over the age of 18 years should be able to choose to have an unspecified sex noted on documents and records.
- Information on the process and criteria for the legal recognition of sex should be easily accessible and user-friendly.
- Documents of identity and processes required for the legal recognition of sex should not reveal personal information about a person’s past identity in relation to sex.
- Laws and processes for the legal recognition of sex should use empowering terminology.
- Where possible, sex or gender should be removed from government forms and documents.
Anti-Discrimination Legislation
- Australia doesn't have nationally consistent and overarching anti-discrimination legislation for sexuality & gender identity
- People who are discriminated against under Federal arena's have no avenue of complaint resolution, as without anti-discrimination the Human Rights Commission has no power to enforce resolutions
- Over 80% of Australians polled support anti-discrimination legislation
