Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Ministers statements: LGBTIQA+ community

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (12:13): Today marks the start of Trans Awareness Week, which is held annually to recognise and celebrate trans and gender-diverse communities in the lead-up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance on 20 November. Trans Day of Remembrance honours the lives of trans and gender-diverse people lost to acts of transphobia, violence and the impacts of stigma and discrimination. The past year has presented some really significant challenges for our trans and gender-diverse communities, and I acknowledge the difficulties and distress caused as a result.

Let me be really clear: in Victoria equality is not negotiable, and the Allan Labor government remains committed to ensuring that trans and gender-diverse Victorians can live their lives wholly and freely as their authentic selves. We have launched an Australian-first and award-winning government campaign, The Unsaid Says a Lot, showing just how easily we can include and respect trans and gender-diverse people of all ages throughout our everyday interactions. We have appointed a new commissioner for LGBTIQA+ communities, Joe Ball, who just this week has welcomed his beautiful baby daughter Rosa to the world, and we are continuing to advance our 10-year nation-leading strategy Pride in Our Future right across Victoria. We are also progressing Pride in Ageing, ensuring that older LGBTIQA+ people can age with dignity and safety, connected to community across all corners of our state.

I continue my support of the integral work led by the Attorney-General in progressing anti-vilification reforms, extending protections for our LGBTIQA+ communities and also people living with a disability – intersectionality is such an important part of this work. To all trans and gender-diverse Victorians: please know that you are loved, supported and celebrated and we will not stop working to ensure that your rights and your stories, your dignity and your identities are protected.