The NSW GLRL is calling upon all parties to make a commitment to end discrimination against LGBTI Australians.
The New South Wales Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (NSW GLRL) are moving towards the next phase of the #RainbowVotes campaign.
In the lead-up to the Federal election, NSW GLRL is calling upon all parties to make a commitment to end discrimination and harassment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) Australians.
A panel discussion with MP’s and candidates will be held in Sydney on Tuesday night. Participants include the Liberal Candidate for Sydney Geoffrey Winters, Greens Candidate for Sydney Sylvie Ellsmore, Greens Candidate for Wentworth Dejay Toborek, Federal Member for Sydney The Hon. Tanya Plibersek and Labor Candidate for Wentworth Evan Hughes.
Participants will be discussing the Rainbow Votes Scorecard that was sent out to all major and selected micro parties, according to Co-convenor Chris Pycroft.
The evening will include a list of pre-prepared questions which will be provided to all the candidates. An audience Q&A session will also be held, seeking questions from members of the public in attendance.
Co-convenor Lauren Foy said, “The forum will provide an opportunity for candidates to put forward their policy positions on a number of issues of importance to the many LGBTI voters.” She highlighted LGBTI youth, discrimination, ageing, foreign affairs, gender diversity, and intersectionality as a few of the important topics.
“In recent months we’ve seen young same-sex attracted and gender diverse kids used as political pawns throughout orchestrated attacks on programs designed to keep them safe," Foy stated. "[These attacks], along with scare campaigns about LGBTI families, are the emerging foundation of a plebiscite 'no' campaign.”
Pycroft also noted that there is a range of issues that don’t receive the attention they deserve. He said, “Issues that over the next term of Parliament will affect our communities for many years to come. The #RainbowVotes survey of the political parties standing for the next election will enable our communities to know where the parties asking for their vote stand the range of issues important to them.”
The event will be live-tweeted from the NSW GLRL Twitter page.
When: Tuesday 28 June 2016, 7pm
Where: The Teachers Federation, 22-28 Mary Street, Surry Hills
