Young people from diverse sexualities - the right of access and equity

Diverse Sexualities Access Project Lawson

I acknowledge we meet on Aboriginal land and I pay tribute to their elders.

We live in contradictory times. In this country attitudes and services for people of diverse sexualities are very variable.

The Greens argue that when it comes to access to services and rights we want equality not discriminatory practices. In parts of our major cities the acceptance for people of diverse sexualities is high and the range of services is impressive.

But that achievement is still very limited. We still need to raise our voice long and loud to ensure people of diverse sexualities can enjoy safe, healthy lifestyle where they can access all the services they need.

We know that it is even harder person so this project is spot on in identifying the needs of young people of diverse sexualities.

Now supporting the rights of young people of diverse backgrounds is not just the responsibility of young people or just of people of diverse sexualities. It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that young gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people are not cast as second-class citizens with lesser rights

We need to resist the attacks from conservative quarters that are trying to push everyone behind John Howard's white picket fence of nuclear suburbia. This ideal should be seen for what it is - just another minority, rather than a dictator of trends.

But we are up against the narrowest of minds. There are people who actively peddle the politics of fear so today's launch is most welcome.

Our campaigns to change attitudes and win services are not over until life for all is absolutely and unequivocally equal.

People irrespective of where they live, what their age, their income or ethnic background should have equal access to information on health, relationships, how to combat discrimination, to name a few.

Young people, particularly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, are more vulnerable to suicide, violence and depression. Information about the services available is critical to allowing people to reach their full potential.

When someone misses out on a job, is denied a service, or is abused or not served in a shop because of their sexuality our society suffers.

· to launch the diverse sexualities access project, · that in some parts of this country discrimination against people of diverse sexuality is limited and possibly non-existent, · and that there are a range of services for people irrespective of their sexuality is because generations of people have taken a stand against discrimination.

So our advances as a society is achieved by the actions of people outside our legislative and legal frameworks. But the law is important and society's desire to strengthen its humanity was encapsulated in the 1977 NSW Anti-Discrimination Act. This was a major achievement.

I think history will see this as one of the outstanding legacies of the Wran Labor government.

The NSW Anti-Discrimination Act has provided thousands of people in NSW with the opportunity to challenge injustice in employment, the workplace, education, the supply of goods and services and other areas of public life.

But there are loopholes in this Act and I believe it is vital that they be closed to help end discrimination and lay the basis for change in attitudes and delivery of services right across our communities.

The NSW Anti-Discrimination Act arose out of the hard work of activists in what, back in the 1970s, we called the women's movement, the disability rights movement and gay liberation.

I raise this legislative issue as I believe change in laws goes hand in hand with attitudinal change and attitudinal change is essential if we are going to have a constructive climate where services and projects for people of diverse sexualities can flourish.

The Anti-Discrimination Act bans discrimination based on race, sex, sexual harassment, age, disability, sexuality, transgender status, marital status, or carer status.

Despite the impressive advances, a major anomaly has lingered within the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act. Some workplaces have not been required to comply with the Anti-Discrimination Act.

These are private and religious schools, and small businesses that employ fewer than six people.

So side by side with the advances achieved by the Anti-Discrimination Act, we have allowed - and if anything codified - discrimination against people in private schools and small businesses.

Support for diversity is more commonplace these days. But if that support is to be reflected in our day-to-day lives, action is needed to end this legal loophole. I would like to share with you what the Greens are working on to remedy this situation.

We have a private members bill - the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Equality in Education and Employment) Bill that if passed would stop private schools and businesses that employ fewer than six people from discriminating on the basis of sexuality, disability, gender or age.

This bill has particular relevance for young people, as if passé it would be illegal for the management of private schools to reject students because they are of diverse sexualities.

I wished to pass on details about our bill as I believe it is vital that we explore all means to end discrimination in our society and using the law is very much part of this campaign.

The diverse Sexualities Access Project will assist Australia to become a more inclusive society. And at the coming election we will have another opportunity to stand up for an inclusive Australia, and reject the politics of division and fear.

I acknowledge we meet on Aboriginal land and I pay tribute to their elders.

We live in contradictory times. In this country attitudes and services for people of diverse sexualities are very variable.

The Greens argue that when it comes to access to services and rights we want equality not discriminatory practices. In parts of our major cities the acceptance for people of diverse sexualities is high and the range of services is impressive.

But that achievement is still very limited. We still need to raise our voice long and loud to ensure people of diverse sexualities can enjoy safe, healthy lifestyle where they can access all the services they need.

We know that it is even harder person so this project is spot on in identifying the needs of young people of diverse sexualities.

Now supporting the rights of young people of diverse backgrounds is not just the responsibility of young people or just of people of diverse sexualities. It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure that young gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people are not cast as second-class citizens with lesser rights

We need to resist the attacks from conservative quarters that are trying to push everyone behind John Howard's white picket fence of nuclear suburbia. This ideal should be seen for what it is - just another minority, rather than a dictator of trends.

But we are up against the narrowest of minds. There are people who actively peddle the politics of fear so today's launch is most welcome.

Our campaigns to change attitudes and win services are not over until life for all is absolutely and unequivocally equal.

People irrespective of where they live, what their age, their income or ethnic background should have equal access to information on health, relationships, how to combat discrimination, to name a few.

Young people, particularly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, are more vulnerable to suicide, violence and depression. Information about the services available is critical to allowing people to reach their full potential.

When someone misses out on a job, is denied a service, or is abused or not served in a shop because of their sexuality our society suffers.

· to launch the diverse sexualities access project, · that in some parts of this country discrimination against people of diverse sexuality is limited and possibly non-existent, · and that there are a range of services for people irrespective of their sexuality is because generations of people have taken a stand against discrimination.

So our advances as a society is achieved by the actions of people outside our legislative and legal frameworks. But the law is important and society's desire to strengthen its humanity was encapsulated in the 1977 NSW Anti-Discrimination Act. This was a major achievement.

I think history will see this as one of the outstanding legacies of the Wran Labor government.

The NSW Anti-Discrimination Act has provided thousands of people in NSW with the opportunity to challenge injustice in employment, the workplace, education, the supply of goods and services and other areas of public life.

But there are loopholes in this Act and I believe it is vital that they be closed to help end discrimination and lay the basis for change in attitudes and delivery of services right across our communities.

The NSW Anti-Discrimination Act arose out of the hard work of activists in what, back in the 1970s, we called the women's movement, the disability rights movement and gay liberation.

I raise this legislative issue as I believe change in laws goes hand in hand with attitudinal change and attitudinal change is essential if we are going to have a constructive climate where services and projects for people of diverse sexualities can flourish.

The Anti-Discrimination Act bans discrimination based on race, sex, sexual harassment, age, disability, sexuality, transgender status, marital status, or carer status.

Despite the impressive advances, a major anomaly has lingered within the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act. Some workplaces have not been required to comply with the Anti-Discrimination Act.

These are private and religious schools, and small businesses that employ fewer than six people.

So side by side with the advances achieved by the Anti-Discrimination Act, we have allowed - and if anything codified - discrimination against people in private schools and small businesses.

Support for diversity is more commonplace these days. But if that support is to be reflected in our day-to-day lives, action is needed to end this legal loophole. I would like to share with you what the Greens are working on to remedy this situation.

We have a private members bill - the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Equality in Education and Employment) Bill that if passed would stop private schools and businesses that employ fewer than six people from discriminating on the basis of sexuality, disability, gender or age.

This bill has particular relevance for young people, as if passé it would be illegal for the management of private schools to reject students because they are of diverse sexualities.

I wished to pass on details about our bill as I believe it is vital that we explore all means to end discrimination in our society and using the law is very much part of this campaign.

The diverse Sexualities Access Project will assist Australia to become a more inclusive society. And at the coming election we will have another opportunity to stand up for an inclusive Australia, and reject the politics of division and fear.