Lived experience shaping parliamentary work

The parliamentary inquiry into LGBTQIA+ hate crimes is a case in point, with queer MPs on the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee bringing an understanding of how specific communities are affected, as well as perspectives that might otherwise be overlooked.

Michael Galea, Labor Member for the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region, said recent incidents highlighted the need for the investigation.

‘We have had a spate of attacks against gay men and trans women in every Australian city,’ he said.

The inquiry received more than 80 submissions that describe the various types of violence that LGBTQIA+ individuals and their loved ones have faced, both online and out in the community. 

Aiv Puglielli, Member for North-Eastern Metropolitan Region and the Greens spokesperson for LGBTQIA+ Equality, said the inquiry, which he helped establish, has explored not only incidents of violence but also the social factors contributing to them.

‘We are seeing groups feeling emboldened by other groups, and that's part of where the work of the inquiry will have to go,’ he said.

‘Examining where it starts and the things that feed towards those outcomes is a huge part of that inquiry work.’

Both MPs say their lived experience as queer Victorians brings valuable insight to the parliamentary process, particularly when examining issues that directly affect the LGBTQIA+ community.

As an openly gay man, Galea describes his experience in parliament as largely positive, giving him the opportunity to engage with the queer community in his area.

‘I am currently co-chairing some ministerial working groups, and through that I’ve learnt so much more about my community,’ he said.

'Since coming in, I’ve had a much greater appreciation for the challenges that many people do still face, and those include people in my community who aren’t comfortable to be who they are.’

Having grown up in Melbourne's south-east, Galea is passionate about increasing LGBTQIA+ visibility in suburban and regional communities.

'Whatever I can do, even if it’s in a relatively small way, is something that’s really special for me,’ he said.

‘We want our parliaments to be representative of the broader community, and the more representative it is, the stronger we are.’

Representation is also something Aiv Puglielli cares about.

'We do have opportunities to improve things for future people who wish to enter parliament. Each step forward makes it easier for the next person to come into this place as their authentic self,’ he said.

Puglielli believes more can be done to truly reflect and welcome the entire community within parliament.

‘As we see more people who identify as LGBTQIA+ coming into parliament, work needs to happen so that people aren’t subjected to things like misgendering,’ he said.

He encourages young LGBTQIA+ people to step forward and be politically active in their communities. 

‘There’s no time like the present to get active and involved,’ he said.

‘Power to all future people who identify as LGBTQIA+ coming into this place and trying to put their foot forward. There’s a lot to do, so I welcome some more colleagues who are members of this community.’