LGBTIQA+ Australians

LGBTIQA+ people in Australia deserve to live safe, respected, and valued lives, free from discrimination and hate. 

Systemic barriers and daily indignities continue to impact peoples’ well-being, contributing to higher rates of homelessness, mental health difficulties, and suicide, particularly among trans and gender-diverse individuals. 

Equality is non-negotiable. 

Despite growing public support for LGBTIQA+ inclusion, harmful laws and societal attitudes persist, including those that put employment at risk or make health care unaffordable.

This discrimination is not just a failure of policy but a moral failure of leadership.

The Greens recognise the urgency of addressing these disparities and ensuring that LGBTIQA+ voices are heard at the highest levels of government. By investing in equality and inclusion, we can create a future where everyone can live freely and equally.

Explore Our Plan

Ending LGBTIQA+ Discrimination 

In Australia, our laws should protect everyone equally, yet LGBTIQA+ Australians still face discrimination at work, in education, in public life, and when accessing services or updating official documents. 

Anti-discrimination laws include harmful exemptions, including allowing religious institutions to fire employees simply for being LGBTIQA+.

The Coalition and One Nation are fueling anti-trans hate, importing damaging culture wars. 

Faith and personal freedoms must coexist without harm. 

Structural reforms and government representation are needed to create a more inclusive society. The Greens are committed to ensuring LGBTIQA+ issues are central to government decision-making.

The Greens' plan:

  • Appoint an LGBTIQA+ Human Rights Commissioner.
    Provide funding for government departments and agencies to develop pathways for consultation on issues that impact LGBTIQA+ communities.
  • Ensure all services that receive government funding, including health and social services, agree to anti-discrimination measures.
  • Improve the quality and integrity of public data collection on sex, gender, and sexual orientation in the census and data collection by other government departments.
  • Fund community groups and organisations to ensure they can influence policy and priorities effectively.
  • Fund a public education campaign to promote inclusion and understanding of trans and gender-diverse people.
  • Provide funding for community leadership development, including training for community leaders and trans and gender-diverse community groups.
    Improve access to family and intimate partner violence services for LGBTIQA+ people.
  • Ensure adequate and appropriate training for departmental staff so they are equipped to appropriately assess applications from LGBTIQA+ people seeking asylum.
  • Ensure Australia advocates for LGBTIQA+ rights in international forums and pushes for global legal reforms, including across our region and within the Commonwealth.
  • Create an aid program to support LGBTIQA+ communities internationally.
  • Fund inclusion training and communication efforts within the Australian Defence Force and other uniformed services.
    Conduct an independent review of historical injustices faced by LGBTIQA+ defence force veterans.
  • Implement a redress scheme for defence force veterans harmed by past discriminatory practices.
LGBTIQA+ Health and Social Services

The daily stigma and discrimination faced by LGBTIQA+ individuals have a serious impact on their health and wellbeing. This contributes to health disparities and a greater need for tailored healthcare services.

The Greens are committed to addressing these inequalities by investing in accessible, inclusive healthcare for LGBTIQA+ Australians and working to eliminate discriminatory practices in our health and social services systems.

The Greens' plan:

  • Ensure gender-affirming care is free and publicly accessible.
  • Remove discriminatory barriers to blood donations.
  • Support and fully implement the National LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing Action Plan to ensure inclusive and comprehensive health services and fund LGBTIQA+ community-controlled health organisations.
  • Establish a national, government-led inquiry into the ex-gay/ex-trans/conversion movement, including its prevalence, practices and impact on the experiences of LGBTIQA+ Australians.
  • Invest in LGBTIQA+-specific mental health programs and services.

 

More information on this policy initiative will be released soon.