This article was originally published by Equality Tasmania. You can find the original article here.
Equality Tasmania and Working It Out have welcomed the Tasmanian Greens’ commitment to a raft of LGBTIQA+ reforms and to an effective ban on conversion practices.
The Greens’ policy, unveiled today by Greens’ leader, Dr Rosalie Woodruff, commits to
– an effective ban on conversion practices, fully implementing the recommendations of the TLRI
– implement an LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Act, including a LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Commissioner.
– deliver a dedicated LGBTIQA+ community mental health service, legal service, healthcare centre and Pride Centre
– prohibit medically unnecessary interventions on children with innate variations of sex characteristics.
– increase funding for the LGBTIQA+ Community Fund by $250,000 per year.
– introduce training for all education staff, health care providers, corrections, Service Tasmania, and police and emergency workers in LGBTIQA+ inclusion.
– improve school inclusion by establishing pride groups, developing curriculum materials related to LGBTIQA+ issues, and appointment of LGBTIQA+ inclusion leaders.
Working It Out CEO, Lynn Jarvis, said,
“The health and wellbeing outcomes of LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians are well below the state average so we welcome the Greens’ commitments.”
“Mental health outcomes are particularly poor due to the legacy of historic discrimination and stigma so we welcome Greens’ support for a dedicated mental health service.”
“It’s also pleasing to see the Greens’ commitment to banning medically-unnecessary interventions on children with innate variations of sex characteristics because these interventions can cause long-lasting physical and mental scars.”
Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
“This is the most comprehensive LGBTIQA+ election policy the Tasmanian Greens have ever presented because it proactively challenges discrimination and fosters inclusion across the law, health care, education, public safety and so many other areas of life.”
“It’s very welcome to see the Greens’ take such a strong stand against conversion practices because these practices are a form of quackery that cause deep harm and can never be justified.”
“The Greens’ policies will ensure Tasmania continues to lead the nation when it comes to inclusion and equity for LGBTIQA+ people.”
The current Liberal Government initiated the development of an LGBTIQA+ Action Plan and Framework after it commissioned the largest-ever survey of the state’s LGBTIQA+ community. It has also provided funding for LGBTIQA+ support, training, services, advocacy and policy development. Last year it unveiled a law about conversion practices which has been criticised for allowing many conversion practices to continue.
The Greens’ policy can be found here:
hhttps://tasgreensmps.org/policy/
The Labor Opposition’s LGBTIQA+ policy is here:
https://taslabor.org.au/news/policy-announcements/lgbtiqa-equality/
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Lynn Jarvis on 0408 265 045.
