Wednesday, 11 September 2024

Ministers statements: LGBTIQA+ community

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (12:31): I rise today in my capacity as Minister for Equality, and I refer to the federal government’s recent announcement that questions on sexual orientation and gender identity will now be included in the 2026 census. This is welcome news, but intersex communities will not be included in the census, and here in Victoria I have been very clear, as has this government, that we will continue to advocate for the recognition and protection of intersex people and people with innate sex variation in characteristics. Inclusive data enables us to fund, deliver and adapt services and systems in ways that make a really positive and often life-saving difference to LGBTIQA+ people. This data also helps us to make decisions about public spaces, communities and resources that provide opportunities for connection and celebration.

In fact on Wear It Purple Day I was really, really proud to launch alongside hundreds of our wonderful librarians the rainbow libraries toolkit, which supports libraries across the state to provide more inclusive places to gather for our LGBTIQA+ communities. This toolkit was developed and co-designed with our libraries and rainbow families to ensure that all Victorians, regardless of their identity, have a place that is safe and inclusive in our public libraries. This was created in response to a rise in vilification of LGBTIQA+ communities and targeting of LGBTIQA+ inclusive events, including story time events for rainbow young people held at libraries.

I also want to highlight that September is Bi Visibility Month, with Bi Visibility Day celebrated each year on 23 September. Bisexuality simply means experiencing attraction to more than one gender. It is often misunderstood, under-represented and minimised both within and beyond LGBTIQA+ communities. About 11.1 per cent of the Victorian population identifies as LGBTIQA+, and many people are not aware that bisexual and multigender-attracted people make up the largest part of LGBTIQA+ communities. I look forward to continuing to work with this government around education, celebration, recognition and respect.