We do need to discuss this, because this is how we build a culture where the only shame is for being a bully or seeking to marginalise others because of who they are or who they love.

If you are LGBTQ+ you might be surprised at the support you may receive in your peer group, workplace and family if you come out. When I transitioned in 1980 I felt that I had to move out of the area where I grew up because I felt shame about who I was, but when I approached all my old friends their only response was “It’s about time, shame you don’t drink, you could shout us a beer!”.

If you are LGBTQ+ look inside to see all the wonderful things you are. Your identity and your sexuality are also part of that wonderful self.

Some years ago the Greens were in a similar position as One Nation today, interestingly whilst Pauline is making much of the fact that her would-be dictatorship currently enjoys 28% of Primary votes, when the Greens were in a similar position they had 35%! Just look at them today! They are lucky to score even 20%. Neither the SA election, nor the Federal By-election for Farrer mean a damn thing to Australia in general, though the politicians make much of the appalling, and Richly Deserved, results for the Liberal Party. The Libs have learned nothing from the earlier Federal Election and their blatant Disloyalty, led by Angus Taylor, to the Centre-right leader they elected afterwards. Australians have never, ever embraced Extremism be it from the left or the Right, yet the absurd Liberal MPs and Senators in Canberra elected an Extremist, Ultra-Right-Wing neo-fascist leader after they stabbed Sussan Ley in her back. I don’t think we need to worry too much about the seeming threat by the now Extremist, Ultra Right-Wing Conservatives who have usurped the once-great Menzian Centrist Liberal Party because whilst it has an Extremist L:eader in Angus Taylor and his every bit as Extremist Deputy, Jane Hume, who in a despicabkle act revealed herself as purely self-interested when having only days before stabbing Sussan Ley in the back, claimed that Sussan had her Full Support! Whilst these extremists are rilling the Liberal roost they will never, ever be returned to Government.

The census is a farce- the govt already knows everything they need to know about us, thanks to medicare, drivers license, tax file, etc etc etc.

DO NOT DO IT.

Australian common law has recognised since 1993 that post-operative trans people in Australia have changed their legal sex.. States and Territories acknowledged this during the 2000’s by allowing replacement birth certificates. More recently, the States and Territories extended the BC provisions to include self-identification without surgery or medical diagnosis.

The minority Gillard Government put anti-discrimination provisions protecting GLBTI+.into legislation with the 2013 amendments which received broad support. The recent Tickle v Giggle case that received so much attention from our Murdoch media was a relatively simple case involving discrimination on the basis of gender identity. The court at first instance found indirect discrimination had occurred the Full Court said it was actually direct discrimination and there were two instances, not one.

The respondent, Sally Grover, made a large number of adverse comments about the applicant, Roxanne Tickle on social media and the Court not only awarded an increase in ordinary damages, it also added an amount of for aggravated damages. Ms Grover has indicated she will appeal to the High Court but the fact two courts have already found against suggests she may not succeed.

Grover is now flooding social media via her right-wing contacts and has created a storm the conservative Liberal, National and One Nation parties are trying to use to their benefit as per the Trump model of hate.

There should be more funding for tailored and targeted funding for mental health and suicide prevention services. We know that there are higher suicide rates across the community. Such funding would be an investment, actually saving taxpayers in the longer term. Preventive measures are proven to be cheaper than the cost of care and treatment after the event. I prefer the humanitarian arguments, but in our society programs are measured in dollars and cents. Preventive measures address both the human cost and also the financial impost.

This is appalling that religions that are suppose to preach love, preach hate.
It is appalling we indoctrinate our children into a cult of discrimination and reinforce the concept that being LGBTIQ is somehow wrong.
To be honest I wouldn’t be surprised if Labor backtracked on this – they didn’t have enough gumption to pass these changes a year ago. Social justice is going backwards.

Since Stonewall, there have been advances worldwide, as well as in the United States and here in Australia.

To highlight the positives, there has been marriage equality and improvements in recognition of LGBTQIA rights in family law. There is representation of LGBTQIA characters on mainstream media, in film and on television.

Law reform has occurred and many offences have been abolished and convictions quashed. There has been much progress. We must remember the positives.

However, we must be vigilant and willing to resume the fight. We must ensure the past is remembered.

In many countries homosexuality is a capital offence, and the LGBTQI community is persecuted. The US is regressing, this is one example, also the controversy now around the Pulse Nightclub memorial.

Hopefully, this is a temporary development, associated with Trump and MAGA. This monument must be protected.

One’s identity has no relationship to the ability to serve as a school laboratory assistant, technical assistant, bursar, administrative officer or HR manager.

There is no link between Archimedes and Sexuality. Teachers or students must not be discriminated against.