International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia
Statement
Hon Dr Brad Pettitt (5:29 pm): Last Saturday 17 May was IDAHOBIT day, which is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia. In the face of rising anti LGBTQIA+ rhetoric in Australia and across the world, it is very important that we stand in solidarity with the community and advocate for much needed life-saving reforms here in Western Australia. Unfortunately, at the start of the 42nd Parliament, despite years of promises, the LGBTQIA+ community still does not have genuine self-identification for trans and gender diverse folks. It still does not have a ban on harmful conversion practices. There is still archaic anti-discrimination laws in our schools and workplaces, and we are still performing surgeries on intersex kids without their consent. The Cook government has hedged life-saving reforms on LGBTQIA+ rights on winning a third term of government. It is my hope and the hope of the LGBTQIA+ community that in this term of Parliament we will finally see the promised reforms to the Equal Opportunity Act that the community has been waiting on for years and that the Labor Party has had in its platform since 2017. It is our hope that the start of this 42nd Parliament is finally the time to deliver.
