Equality rally at NT parliament draws over 40 attendees in thunder and lightning

Approximately 40 LGBTIQ peoples and their allies gathered on the steps of Parliament House in Darwin today to promote awareness and raise visibility of the ongoing inequalities experienced by LGBTIQ peoples entrenched in Northern Territory law organised by newly formed community group Rainbow Territory.

Despite the thunder and torrential downpour, the steps of Parliament House were awash with Rainbow flags, festivities and cakes. This was a welcome sight to visiting politicians who dropped by for a slice of cake and conversation with rally attendees.

Rainbow Territory spokesperson, Daniel Alderman said that while homophobic, transphobia and other forms of violence against LGBTIQ peoples, at present, have lost the intensity they once had violence remains an ongoing issue and threat in the Territory.

“LGBTIQ peoples like other people of difference continue to be subjected to verbal and at times physical abuse. This is further acerbated by the inadequate understanding and fair consideration of homophobia by the Northern Territory police”

Jane Black, Rainbow Territory member considered the many domains of inequalities entrenched in Northern Territory law.

“At present the Northern Territory law discriminates against LGBTIQ peoples in over six places. Rainbow Territory and the LGBTIQ people and their allies here in the Territory will continue to advocate for legal change within the Northern Territory until equality in the law is established”

“We will continue to be here families, friends, partners, pets in tow to advocate for change. Our rainbows, cakes a presence serve as a constant reminder that LGTIQ people are an important part of the territory and are thus as deserving of equality in the law as any other member of the community”

Rainbow Territory is an unfunded Northern Territory community group that advocate for the human rights of Northern Territorians who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (‘LGBTIQ’). Rainbow Territory since its formation in September 2014 have developed www.outnt.info an online platform for community development, consulted with the Human Rights Commissioner, and provided recommendations pertaining to the Northern Territory Suicide Prevention Plan.