LGBTQIAP+SB

We should all feel safe and have equal opportunities in life, regardless of our sexuality, gender identity or sex characteristics. Diverse gender and sexual identities have been part of this land since before colonisation, and the laws and policies that have embedded and emboldened discrimination since that time must reflect that the NT is a just and equal society.  

Principles

The Greens believe:

1. Freedom of sexual orientation, gender identity, bodily integrity and self-determination are fundamental human rights that must be protected.
2. A community that celebrates diversity in bodies, sexualities and gender identities is a more just, vibrant and whole community.
3. LGBTQIAP+SB communities have historically enriched the NT and continue to do so. 
4. There are intersections of disadvantages and diversity in the needs and circumstances of LGBTQIAP+SB people from particular groups, such as First Nations peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse people, young people, older people, people with disability, people in prison and people seeking asylum.
5. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or sex characteristics has no place in a just and equitable society.
6. There should be  timely, free, and culturally appropriate access to required services inclusive for people with needs related to their sexual orientation, gender identity and sexual characteristics, including but not limited to:
   1. physical health;
   2. mental health;
   3. social support; and
   4. peer support services
7. There should be access to holistic and people-centred care that focuses on the unique needs of trans and gender diverse communities for gender affirming medical care and referrals, as well as non-gender specific care, without fear of exposure to discrimination or stigma.
8. There must be adequate needs-based funding for LGBTQIAP+SB-led organisations to ensure people in the NT have access to quality services that truly meet their needs.

Aims

The Greens want:

Rights and protections

1. Equal access for all Territorians, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex or marital status, to adoption and fostering, altruistic surrogacy and assisted reproductive treatment. 
2. Members of families that include LGBTQIAP+SB people to have equal rights and protections, including recognition of legal parentage. 
3. Birth certificates that reflect the reality of a child’s life and address situations where children have two mothers, two fathers and a birth mother, gender diverse parents or more than two parents. 
4. Intersex, transgender and gender diverse people to be able to easily alter their sex or gender on all official documents, consistent with how they live and identify, irrespective of their marital status and without the requirement for gender affirmation surgery or hormonal therapy. 
5. The ability to self identify gender, including chosen title/s, on all forms and documentation, including non binary genders.
6. Sex or gender information in official records should only be recorded where necessary. When sex/gender is necessary information to collect in official records, that gender markers be available that reflect the diversity of the NT population.
7. Governments and government agencies should consult with communities and representative groups of people with diverse sexualities, diverse gender identities and intersex variations on the development of policies and programs relevant to them. 
8. A minister to be responsible for sexuality, sex and gender diverse people and issues that affect their lives.
9. Ongoing funding for LGBTQIAP+SB pride events and festivals around the NT.

Education

10. Schools to provide age-appropriate, non-discriminatory information about the diversity of sexuality, gender identity, intersex variations and family structures. 
11. LGBTQIAP+SB-led education on the current understanding of the diversity of sexuality, sex, and gender identity into all levels within the school system as core curriculum and not as an additional or optional program.
12. LGBTQIAP+SB-led training and professional development for teachers so that they can understand and teach in a safe and inclusive way for staff and students regardless of their gender or sexuality.
13. Schools and other education services to respect and support intersex students and students with diverse sexualities and gender identities, as well as their families, through peer support, anti-bullying and other youth-specific policies, programs and services.
14. LGBTQIAP+SB-led education on the use of pronouns and gender inclusive language in schools.

Access to health and social services

15. Free, accessible, inclusive and timely access to health and social services for LGBTQIAP+SB people.
16. Prioritisation and funding for community-controlled LGBTQIAP+SB services in key areas of need such as mental health, peer support, youth services, homelessness and sexual health.
17. LGBTQIAP+SB community hubs with family services, youth facilities, events and co-located health services.
18. Accessible and inclusive family and domestic violence prevention programs, reporting mechanisms and support services for LGBTQIAP+SB persons and their families.
19. Adequate funding for programs to address the specific mental health and suicide prevention needs of LGBTQIAP+SB people in urban, rural and remote NT. Within the LGBTQIAP+SB community, priority should be given to young people and First Nations people.
20. To develop and fund programs to upskill the development and funding of mainstream general practitioners, and other health and social service providers to respond to the needs of diverse communities of LGBTQIAP+SB  people across the NT, including regional and remote centres and communities including but not limited to gender affirming care.
21. Timely access for young people to access gender affirming care.
22. An online directory of health and social services in the NT who have received LGBTQIAP+SB-led training in responding to the needs of diverse communities of LGBTQIAP+SB people across the NT.
23. Funding for specialist health services, including costs of accessing interstate services not available in the NT, such as gender-affirming support, fertility preservation, treatment and surgeries.
24. Increased funding to establish and expand gender centres, clinics and health services across the NT for LGBTQIAP+SB persons.
25. Gender affirming medical care including access to surgical procedures, prescribed hormones, products and services to achieve authentic gender identity and expression all to be provided at no out of pocket cost.
26. Patient records to be able to be changed to affirm the gender of those accessing health care. 

Intersex Territorians

27. A ban on deferrable medical interventions on children with intersex characteristics and restrictions on all sex characteristic-altering medical treatment on intersex people without personal consent or oversight from an independent expert panel.
28. Intersex people and their families to be provided timely and appropriate social, psychological and peer support. 

Workplaces 

29. Workplaces across the Territory to be supportive, inclusive and embrace gender and sexual diversity, and incorporate appropriate policies and training in workplaces to support LGBTQIAP+SB people
30. To end the direct and indirect discrimination in employment experienced by LGBTQIAP+SB people.
31. The government to provide support to workplaces that build on, and enact strategies for inclusivity of diversity of sexuality and gender identities.
32. Paid accruable annual gender affirming related care leave to be accessible to all LGBTQIAP+SB persons residing in the NT.. 
33. LGBTQIAP+SB-led education in the workplace on LGBTQIAP+SB issues and historic and current discrimination, use of inclusive language and pronouns, to ensure a more inclusive and aware workplace.

Sport 

34. The NT government to actively work with transgender and gender diverse people in the Territory to develop policies and programs to support participation across all levels of sport, from recreational to elite sports.
35. LGBTQIAP+SB-led education on and use of pronoun use and gender inclusive language in sports.

First Nations LGBTQIA+SB 

36. First Nations LGBTQIAP+SB-led education in Aboriginal communities for people and families, including sexual health education. Where possible, this training must be provided by and with LGBTQIAP+SB First Nations people and elders from that community.

Glossary

LGBTQIAP+SB means lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, sistagirl and brotherboy. The LGBTQIAP+SB acronym does not represent an exhaustive list of possible identities and experiences. Expressions of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex variations are highly individual and all are valid.