West Australian LGBTIQ+ advocates have accused the McGowan Government of double standards when tackling child abuse in religious organisations. Earlier this week, Community Services Minister Simone McGurk told The West Australian that the government had decided that state legislation aimed at improving the reporting of child abuse would focus on religious institutions “because as institutions those […]
Alison Xamon MLC, the Greens’ spokesperson for Sexuality and Gender Identity, has criticised the WA Labor Government for its failure to commit to banning harmful LGBTIQ conversion practices, including in religious and informal settings. In parliament on Thursday Xamon again questioned the government about its intentions for banning conversion practices which attempt to change a […]
Local LGBTIQ+ advocates are calling on the state government to take action on LGBTIQ+ discrimination in schools, as the federal government’s Religious Discrimination Bill lies in wait. A 36-year-old provision in WA’s Equal Opportunity Act allows for faith-based schools to refuse enrolment, expel students and fire staff on the basis of sexuality or gender identity. […]
LGBTIQ+ advocates in Western Australia are calling on Premier Mark McGowan to reassess state laws in light of the US Supreme Court’s decision to protect against workplace discrimination on the basis of sexuality and gender identity. Earlier this week, the US Supreme Court voted 6-3 that sexuality and gender based discrimination was covered by the […]
Proposed laws to forcibly test prisoners for HIV have no basis in science, perpetuate stigma, and should be referred to a parliamentary committee, according to the West Australian AIDS Council and National Association for People with HIV Australia. Under laws set to be introduced to the WA Parliament’s Legislative Council on Tuesday, a prisoner who […]
The Safe Schools anti-bullying resource for schools has been renamed following criticism from conservative groups after its initial launch, election campaigns and throughout last year’s Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey. Inclusive Education WA will provide the same support and resources to any school, school staff member, family or student who is seeking information on how […]
A new survey has shown that Australians are against current laws that allow religious schools to discriminate against LGBTI students and staff. A YouGov Galaxy Poll commissioned by LGBTI advocacy group just.equal completed a survey of 1015 Australians in April, showing massive opposition to special exemptions for these organisations from anti-discrimination laws. The data showed […]
The Northern Territory’s Labor government have confirmed they will continue to fund the Safe Schools anti-bullying program after funding was cut off from Canberra last year. The Australian has reported that over 150 public schools have been informed that the program will continue with funding from the Northern Territory Department of Education. The anti-bullying program, […]
Advocates for WA’s LGBTI community have called for more people to come forward and provide case studies of discrimination within private and religious schools. Under Western Australian law, LGBTI teachers and staff can be sacked, students can be expelled and enrolments from same-sex families denied. Recent high profile cases of discrimination include the removal of […]
Pride WA’s biggest ever procession through the streets of Northbridge lit up a new route over the weekend, celebrating the west coast’s LGBTIQ+ community. 84 fabulous floats moved up Beaufort, Francis, Lake, James and William streets on Saturday evening, as thousands of onlookers and supporters cheered and applauded. This year was full of firsts, not […]
