Equality advocates are seeking feedback from LGBTI community members about priorities for the next federal election. LGBTI advocacy group, just.equal, has released the National LGBTIQ+ Future Priorities Survey asking LGBTI community members to indicate what issues matter to them most from a range of law reform, policy and funding options.
“In the wake of marriage reform, many advocates have said what they believe the community’s priorities should be, including myself, but in the end the LGBTI community as a whole must chart the way forward,” said Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome.”Well in advance of the next federal election it is vital LGBTI Australians indicate what issues they believe are the top priority for parties and candidates to address.”
The just.equal survey builds on LGBTI community surveys the group conducted in 2016 and 2017 about a marriage equality plebiscite as well as “religious freedom” compromises in the marriage reform legislation. A survey of election priorities was conducted by the Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group ahead of the Tasmanian state election in March.
“My hope is that LGBTI human rights advocates and organisations will take their cue from just.equal’s surveys and develop a stronger culture of consultation,” said Mr Croome said. “The mandate for LGBTI human rights advocacy must come from the LGBTI community itself.”
The survey addresses a range of issues affecting young LGBTI people, LGBTI people in rural and regional communities, and the sex and gender diverse community. Mr Croome said weight will be given to the responses of transgender and intersex people on issues directly related to them.
The survey is also open to allies of the LGBTI community who are not themselves LGBTI. The survey was designed by social science researcher, Dr Sharon Dane, in a private capacity. For more information and to take the National LGBTIQ+ Future Priorities Survey, click here!
Image: Parliament House Canberra – photo by Richard Tuffin / Visit Canberra