LGBTI GROUP STATEMENT ON THE PLEBISCITE

19 October 2016

As organisations and leaders of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities, we wish to express our gratitude to the many Parliamentarians across the political spectrum who have supported marriage equality for many years, and in particular those who reflected the concerns of LGBTI people, their family members and supporters of marriage equality about the impact of plebiscite. We value your support in continuing to advocate for a Parliamentary vote.

An overwhelming majority of the Australian people, a majority of both houses of parliament and leaders of all major parties support marriage equality. We have never had so much support for achieving this important step towards every Australian having the same opportunities as their neighbour.

The plebiscite bill proposed by government does not have the required numbers to pass the Senate, and appears certain to be rejected by the Senate. We are calling on Parliament to vote down the plebiscite machinery legislation. By rejecting the plebiscite, Parliament will in part acknowledge the potential impact on our communities caused by exposure to the divisive and marginalising language used by a vocal minority who oppose marriage equality. Our concerns about the negative impact of the plebiscite are based on lived experience and supported by research. This impact is also exacerbated by the continued uncertainty around our equal rights, and a continued campaign by those who oppose reform, which further underscores our request for immediate action by the Parliament.

We once again call on the parliamentary representatives and leaders who support reform to come together and deliver a parliamentary path to reform in this term, so that every Australian is able to marry the person they love, in the country they cherish, on equal terms.

Our shared goal is simple – we want marriage equality as soon as possible. The most efficient and effective way of achieving marriage equality is a vote in Parliament, a power confirmed by the High Court in 2013.

For all media inquiries please contact: Clint McGilvray 0413 285 186 or Michael Fairbairn 0448 524 731

We make this call not only on behalf of LGBTI communities and their families who have been waiting for over a decade, but importantly to ensure future generations of LGBTI Australians can grow up knowing they are equal to their peers under the law.

By working together, Parliament can fix this inequality. Therefore we urge Parliament to establish a cross party marriage equality working group now to ensure that the next bill delivered has cross party support, and provides a process and strategy to ensure that the majority of Parliamentarians who support marriage equality will be able to vote in favour of the legislation.

In the meantime, we will continue to build on the growing momentum to achieve marriage equality. We will continue to demonstrate the strong and diverse support for marriage equality across the nation. We will continue until LGBTI people are afforded the dignity and equality they deserve.

List of Signatories (as of 19/10/2016) Acceptance Melbourne ACON Aleph Melbourne Rowena Allen, (Gender & Sexuality Commissioner, Dept of Premier & Cabinet, ) Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International Dr Gávi Ansara Asian Australian Rainbow Alliance (AAuRA) Australian Catholics for Equality Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council Australian Lawyers for Human Rights LGBTI Rights Subcommittee Australian Marriage Equality Australian Transgender Support Association Queensland Australians for Equality

For all media inquiries please contact: Clint McGilvray 0413 285 186 or Michael Fairbairn 0448 524 731

Michael Barnett Black Rainbow Dameyon Bonson Brave Network Melbourne Brisbane Gay and Lesbian Business Network Brisbane LGBTI Action Group Carmen Rupe Memorial Trust Karen Christie Florence Chen Meg Clark Connect for Life Tasmania Dayenu Johann De Joodt Anne-Marie Delahunt Harley Dennett DiGS Equality Diversity Launceston DIY Rainbow Kate Doak Maxine Drake Dreamtime Divas Suzanne Eastwood Equal Marriage Rights Kristyana Finch Jamie Gardiner Geelong Pride Games Gender Diversity Alliance South Australia Gender Help for Parents

For all media inquiries please contact: Clint McGilvray 0413 285 186 or Michael Fairbairn 0448 524 731

GetUp! Kelly Glanney Christine Healy Brendan Heck Aram Hosie Mandy How Corey Irlam Kristine Johnson Sharon Jones Lesbians in the Shoalhaven Area LGBTI Legal Service LGBTI Rights Unit of the Human Rights Law Centre Lynne O’Brien Marhaba Melbourne Marriage Equality Gilmore Dr. Ruth McNair Metropolitan Community Church – Melbourne Jane Elizabeth Moore Muslims Against Homophobia National LGBTI Health Alliance New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council OII Australia Stephen Page PFLAG NSW PFLAG Perth Pink Mountains Pride in Diversity

For all media inquiries please contact: Clint McGilvray 0413 285 186 or Michael Fairbairn 0448 524 731

Queer Muslims Sydney Queer Screen Rainbow Families Rosh Pinah: An Affirming Orthodox Jewish Network Krishna Sandha Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association Sydney Gay Meditation Group Transgender Equality Alliance Transgender Victoria Uniting Network Anthony Venn-Brown Victorian AIDS Council Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby Wear Rainbow Veronica Wensing Annie Whitehead Tushara Wickramariyaratne

For all media inquiries please contact: Clint McGilvray 0413 285 186 or Michael Fairbairn 0448 524 731

For all media inquiries please contact: Clint McGilvray 0413 285 186 or Michael Fairbairn 0448 524 731