LGBTIQ+ groups are calling on the federal government to include greater protections for their communities in its proposed overhaul of hate speech legislation.
Earlier this week Executive Council of Australian Jewry voiced its support for expanded anti-vilification protections for all minority groups. LGBTIQ+ Australians face alarmingly high rates of harm, harassment and violence for being who they are.
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Alastair Lawrie, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Justice and Equity Centre said:
“Hatred, and hate speech, is a danger to all groups who are subjected to it. Legislating to only address some kinds of hatred can therefore only ever be a partial response to this serious and widespread problem.
“We urge the Commonwealth Government to adopt a consistent approach across different groups in the community who experience hatred, to ensure its reforms cover hate speech based not just on race and religion, but also other attributes including sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics, as well as sex and disability.”
