Premium Content:

Survey shows religious discrimination debate taking a toll on LGBTIQ+ people

A new survey shows that the religious freedom and discrimination debate is taking a heavy toll on LGBTIQ+ people, with more than 80% saying they feel worse now than during the 2017 Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.

- Advertisement -

The survey, conducted by LGBTIQ+ advocacy group just.equal, polled almost 4,500 LGBTIQ+ Australians and allies about their feelings surrounding the religious discrimination debate.

70.9% of LGBTIQ+ people agreed that the primary aim of religious freedom advocates is to take away the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, while 43.5% said they believe Australia is not an accepting nation.

62.2% of respondents said they feel vulnerable, 67.2% angry and 78.4% not respected, and 97.9% said they believe religious organisations like schools and hospitals should not be allowed to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, while 92% believe individuals should be able to say whatever they want about LGBTIQ+ people in the name of religion.

The survey also showed that 84.9% believe the media is biased against transgender people, 88% believe politicians are less interested in trans rights than they were in marriage equality, and 90% believe trans and gender diverse people are suffering as a result.

As for parliament; 70.8% want to see much more LGBTIQ+ equality advocacy from moderate Liberals. 58.7% want much more from Labor and 32.9% want much more from the Greens.

Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said the results are a “shameful indictment on Australia’s leaders that LGBTIQ+ Australians feel worse now than during the postal survey.”

“The message to all politicians who voted for marriage equality but are currently silent is this: your complicity with homophobia and transphobia is hurting LGBTIQ+ Australians, so speak up for our equal dignity and against religious privilege now,” Croome said.

“We will make sure every politician who voted for marriage equality has a copy of this survey on their desk ASAP.”

The survey looked at LGBTIQ+ family and friends and colleagues, as well LGBTIQ+ people themselves. Similar results among these allies indicate that the negative impact of the current religious discrimination and transgender debates extend to many millions of Australians.

Among these results 78.0% felt unhappy because of the current religious discrimination and transgender debates and 70.3% had noticed LGBTIQ+ friends, colleagues or family members feeling upset or unfairly treated.

The survey was designed by social science researcher, Dr Sharon Dane, with a multi-mode recruitment strategy to ensure the sample reflects the demographic diversity of the broader population.


Latest

Flowers got me thinking…

The onslaught of daily attacks against of LGBTIQA+ communities can be exhausting.

Clive Palmer says ads were meant to say ‘sex’ not ‘gender’

The billionaire admitted he'd got it wrong when he quoted the World Health Organisation.

David Polson’s inspiring life honoured at State Memorial

The community leader, HIV advocate and champion of LGBTIQA+ history was remembered for his life's work.

Stedman Pearson from British band Five Star dies aged 60

The band comprising five siblings had a string of UK hits in the 1980s.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Flowers got me thinking…

The onslaught of daily attacks against of LGBTIQA+ communities can be exhausting.

Clive Palmer says ads were meant to say ‘sex’ not ‘gender’

The billionaire admitted he'd got it wrong when he quoted the World Health Organisation.

David Polson’s inspiring life honoured at State Memorial

The community leader, HIV advocate and champion of LGBTIQA+ history was remembered for his life's work.

Stedman Pearson from British band Five Star dies aged 60

The band comprising five siblings had a string of UK hits in the 1980s.

Sky News says they’re not sorry about running Palmer’s anti-trans advertisements

Sky news host Liz Storer says complaints about Trumpet of Patriot ads are only from a small minority who has "hurty feelings".

Flowers got me thinking…

The onslaught of daily attacks against of LGBTIQA+ communities can be exhausting.

Clive Palmer says ads were meant to say ‘sex’ not ‘gender’

The billionaire admitted he'd got it wrong when he quoted the World Health Organisation.

David Polson’s inspiring life honoured at State Memorial

The community leader, HIV advocate and champion of LGBTIQA+ history was remembered for his life's work.