Equality Australia is inviting organisations to sign up to our open letter calling on all political parties and candidates to treat LGBTIQ+ people with dignity and respect this federal election.
The text of our open letter:
"We, the undersigned, call on all political parties and candidates to treat LGBTIQ+ people with dignity and respect, and to campaign in a way that does not undermine our community’s health and wellbeing.
Everyone in Australia deserves to live with dignity and respect, no matter who we are, whom we love, or what we believe. All of us deserve to live free from discrimination and to participate in our community, social and political life on equal terms.
We believe that the role of our future government and our parliament should be to uphold these principles, and to govern for all of us.
This election campaign, some will seek to divide us. But all politicians have an opportunity to stand up for LGBTIQ+ people, and refuse to demean trans and gender diverse people.
Debating the lives of LGBTIQ+ people or their right to equality only serves to further marginalise people. It increases disadvantage and distress and drives negative mental health outcomes amongst some of the most vulnerable in our community.
We call on all candidates and parties to call out any attempts to divide us and commit to treating all people with the dignity and respect they deserve."
About Equality Australia
Equality Australia is a national LGBTIQ+ organisation dedicated to achieving equality for LGBTIQ+ people.
Borne out of the successful campaign for marriage equality, and established with support from the Human Rights Law Centre, Equality Australia brings together legal, policy and communications expertise, along with thousands of supporters, to redress discrimination, disadvantage and distress experienced by LGBTIQ+ people.
Email: info@equalityaustralia.org.au
www.equalityaustralia.org.au
Any electoral matters are authorised by Anna Brown, Equality Australia, 414 Elizabeth Street Surry Hills NSW.
