News – Page 6

Rainbow Territory writes to NT Labor federal representatives calling on them to oppose a plebiscite

The following letter was emailed to

Luke Gosling MP
Warren Snowden MP
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy
cc’ing Bill Shorten MP and
Michael Gunner, Chief Minister of the NT

RE: AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY POSITION ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY PLEBISCITE

Rainbow Territory calls on the Labor party to oppose a plebiscite on marriage equality.

Formed in September 2014, Rainbow Territory is a community group that advocates for the human rights of Northern Territorians who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex (‘LGBTQI’). Rainbow Territory aims to develop a safer, fairer and a more inclusive Northern Territory.

We want elected representatives to decide on marriage equality through a vote in parliament.

We oppose a plebiscite on the following grounds:

The plebiscite will result in homophobic and transphobic statements masquerading as debate. The LGBTQI community will be particularly at risk where the government funds an anti-marriage equality campaign. The risk of public debate perpetuating myths, discrimination and stigma against our community is evidenced by recent comments by the ex- NT Chief Minister Adam Giles who two days before NT Election Day and in the face of a landslide defeat said he did not support Safe Schools as it was “grooming kids in their sexuality”.
Territorians will have a higher suicide risk. As a result of increased public debate arising from a plebiscite, Northern Territorians will be at increased risk of harmful behaviours and suicide. The NT has the highest suicide rate in the country. The NT has very few support services available to our community, especially in rural and remote areas. Rainbow Territory is not aware of any appropriate remote services providing specific support to LGBTQI people.
The funding for a plebiscite would be misdirected. The plebiscite is estimated to cost $160M. Safe Schools could be funded twenty times over with this money, as well as other remote area services for our community. Safe schools is yet to be implemented in the NT
The plebiscite will provide no new information. We believe that given several years since the Marriage Act was amended to exclude same-sex marriage, each member of parliament has had sufficient time to consider this matter and knows how they would vote, or how the majority of their electorate wants them to vote. The plebiscite is an unnecessary information gathering exercise that is non-binding. Further, we note regular polling of community sentiment on the issue takes place, and that the most recent poll shows 72% of Australians support marriage equality.

Rainbow Territory understands a plebiscite will delay marriage equality in Australia. We consider the wellbeing of all of our community is preferred over a plebiscite.

We call on you as an elected representative of the NT to support what is good for Territorians and advocate within the Labor party for no plebiscite.

Rainbow Territory can be contacted at lgbtqi2014nt@gmail.com

Yours faithfully,

RAINBOW TERRITORY

Links:

Guardian article on safe schools program and comments by Adam Giles

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/aug/25/adam-giles-says-he-wont-support-sexuality-element-of-safe-schools-program

Rainbow Territory Media Release on comments by Adam Giles

http://www.outnt.info/news/

MEDIA RELEASE: Giles’ language in Safe Schools debate is homophobic and derogatory

RAINBOW TERRITORY media release – Immediate release – 26 August, 2016

Giles’ language in Safe Schools debate is homophobic and derogatory

At the Sky News People’s Forum held in Darwin on Thursday night ahead of the NT election on Saturday, the Chief Minister backflipped on his previous agreement to implement the Safe Schools program and used the phrase “grooming kids in their sexuality” when describing his opposition to the Safe Schools program in the NT.

This statement was made 10 days after expressing support for the program at the NTCOSS Election Forum, and promising that it would be rolled out by Semester 2 2016.

“The use of the phrase “grooming kids in their sexuality” in relation an anti-bullying program is appalling” said Rainbow Territory member Jane Black. “The use of such language and inference draws on bigoted and unfounded beliefs about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex community.”

“Safe Schools is program that addresses the homophobic and transphobic bullying that is present in schools. If it didn’t talk about sexuality or gender identity it would be totally ineffective. If we want to address the high rates of suicide in the Territory, we need to start talking about this, not shutting it down.” said Jane Black Rainbow Territory member.

“This is Adam Giles gaining political points by targeting some of the most vulnerable young people in the NT, who can’t even vote against him.” said Jane Black, Rainbow Territory member.

Safe Schools is a federally funded program aimed at creating safe and supportive school environments for same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse people by reducing homophobic and transphobic bullying and discrimination in schools.

Adam Giles’ comments were made on the eve of the Wear It Purple day, a movement to build a world in which every young person can thrive, irrelevant of sex, sexuality or gender identity. Wear it Purple Day also marks the second anniversary of the formation of Rainbow Territory. The group was brought together in response to homophobic comments made by a former leader within the CLP.

-ENDS-

Contact

Jane Black, Rainbow Territory member and media representative. Email: lgbtqi2014nt@gmail.com

NTCOSS pre election forum – Rainbow Territory report

Rainbow Territory asked Adam Giles and Michael Gunner two questions about their policies on LGBTIQ issues at NTCOSS’ pre-election forum last night. Their responses, while supportive to a point, showed a lack of engagement with the specific needs of our community and a lack of detail in the policies and programs they referred to as necessary to service our community.

Both leaders stated they support the Safe Schools program and intend to roll it out in the next term. But neither provided details as to the extent of their support for the program or how they intend to implement it. They did not specify whether they intend Safe Schools to be an opt-in program for schools across the NT or one which is to be compulsory for all schools. Nor did they comment on their plans for the ongoing funding of the program should federal funding be withdrawn.

Both leaders acknowledged the need for services to be accessible to all members of the public, including marginalised groups, but neither was able to name or outline any program specifically supporting our community in the area of suicide prevention.

MEDIA RELEASE: LGBTI people and Adoption in the NT – what do the candidates say?

9 August 2016

Rainbow Territory media release

Adoption by NT same sex couples supported by Labor, Greens, and independents

Labor, the Greens, Delia Lawrie, Kezia Purick and Phil Walcott support a change in NT law to allow same sex couples to adopt.

The law currently restricts adoption to married couples. This excludes same sex couples who want to adopt.

“Ending this discrimination will give legal security to families that already exist in the NT, as well as future families” said Rainbow Territory member Jane Black.

Rainbow Territory wrote to all major parties in the lead up to the election, as well as many independents. The responses received so far are now being communicated to voters.

Queensland and the NT are the only state and territory where this discrimination remains. The Queensland government recently announced it will scrap its law.

“Rainbow Territory heard from long tem foster parents in the NT who can’t adopt because they are a same sex couple. This law doesn’t reflect the people and families in the NT, it needs to change.” said Jane Black.

Full responses from candidate in relation to adoption policies can be found here: www.outnt.info/rainbowterritory/ntelection2016

Formed in September 2014, Rainbow Territory is an unfunded Northern Territory community group that advocates for the human rights of Northern Territorians who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jane Black, Rainbow Territory member

Phone: 0406 186 382

http://www.outnt.info/rainbowterritory/

Rainbow Territory media release: LGBTQI community is asked to speak out about inequality in the NT

21 June 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Darwin, Northern Territory

LGBTQI identifying people in the NT and their friends and family are being asked to provide real life examples of how inequality under NT law and policy impacts them.

“Society has progressed, but the laws and policies in the NT have not”, says Rainbow Territory member Jane Black. “There are NT laws that permit discrimination against LGBTQI people in the NT in employment, adoption, access to IVF. The level of support in policy and funding for our community is at a low ebb. We are asking people to speak out.”

The anonymous survey is now live and can be accessed at

www.outnt.info/rainbowterritory/communitysurvey

“We are also encouraging community members to meet with their local candidate and talk about these issues” said Jane Black.
The information will be used to inform advocacy work in the lead up to the NT election by Rainbow Territory. Rainbow Territory is a community group that advocates for the human rights of Northern Territorians who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (‘LGBTIQ’).
MEDIA CONTACT

Jane Black

Rainbow Territory member

0406 186 382 http://www.outnt.info/rainbowterritory/

Darwin LGBTI Health Clinic

Dr Dani is starting up a monthly clinic in Coconut Grove with expert LGBTI GP’s. It will become a regular monthly thing if there is enough interest. Please call 7999 7448 to make your booking for dates 20-24 June 2016. The first dates will utilise Dr Ruth McNair.

DATES: 20-24 June 2016

DOCTOR: Dr Ruth McNair- Melbourne GP and Associate Professor at Melbourne University. Internationally known lesbian health researcher. Chairperson of the Gay and Lesbian Foundation of Australia. Special interests: trans health, lesbian & bi women’s mental health & sexual health, same sex parenting, alcohol & smoking in LGBTI communities.

(Please note, the first clinic will not be offering HIV meds prescribing though they are hoping future clinics will).

CLINIC LOCATION:
Northside Health NT
The Clock Tower
4/1 Caryota Court, Coconut Grove.
Phone 7999 7448
admin@northsidehealthnt.com.au

CLINIC FEES: Bulk billing for HCC, students, pensioners, and by request.

LGBTI CLINIC PHILOSOPHY & BACKGROUND:
Dr Danielle Stewart (known as Dr Dan to many LGBTI Darwinians) opened her own practice in Oct 2015 after 17 years in Darwin.

She would love Darwin LGBTI people to have access to Australia’s best LGBTI doctors, right here at home. The clinic will offer experts in trans health and other areas of LGBTI medicine, and the chance to see a GP who is more than comfortable with your identity and lifestyle. She envisages that the Darwin LGBTI Clinic will become a monthly fixture. This first trial will show whether Darwin wants it too.

Hello + queer season

This is the fifteenth newsletter from OUT NT.

Hello.

As the weather cools down, the NT will heat up with election fever and queer activities galore – enjoy the start of the dry season and get in contact if you want to be part of electioneering or any other queer season activities.

Keeping it short and sweet as there is a lot down below :) the end of the newsletter is always “Cake to Share” so if you don’t see that, expand the email.

Call for members and volunteers

Rainbow Territory has started engaging with NT politicians in the lead up to the 2016 election (we’ve heard 27 August). We have a big list to get through. We need some help in the following areas:

Writing to and meeting with NT politicians to get their position on key issues for our community, and work to change their position if it does not support equality and equity for LGBTQI people in the NT
Gathering information about inequality in law and policy through research, case studies, and personal stories
Keeping the community informed about progress with politicians, and encouraging people to talk to their local members directly
Organising a community picnic day
Having stalls at some of the local markets to inform the general public about the inequality that exists under NT law and policy
Participating in key events like the Sea Breeze Festival and the Beer Can Regatta (see call for CANS and volunteers below)
Running regular meetings, improve how we do things as a group, including to make the meetings more accessible
Building alliances and relationships with other groups and organiations in and outside of the NT
Running the OUT NT website and Facebook page and newsletter to provide a space for community connection and information

Rainbow Territory runs regular meetings every second Tuesday. We are trialling a dial in process so that if someone can’t attend in person, they participate by telephone. We are also having a social/well being dinner after the meeting. All are welcome :) Please bring some $ for your dinner. Full details on the OUT NT website.

Darwin City Council votes yes!

Darwin has joined 37 other councils in supporting marriage equality. A room packed full of community members spoke in support of the vote, and helped to change minds on the night.

The vote got great coverage around the country. What happens now? Darwin City Council will have to action what they have signed up to:
That Council affirm its commitment to treat with dignity and respect all residents regardless of gender or sexuality.That Council write to all Northern Territory Senators, the Federal Members for Solomon and Lingiari and all Federal candidates to encourage them to:
i. Prioritise debating changes to the Marriage Act to achieve marriage equality for same sex couples
ii. Vote in favour of such changes

That Council put a motion forward to the 2016 National General Assembly of Local Government asking them to support changes to the Marriage Act to achieve marriage equality for same sex couples.

Council should then publicly support the removal of any legislation that discriminates against members of our community: which the Marriage Act currently does.

Qnews, NT news, and the national campaign group Australian Marriage Equality

LGBTI Silver Rainbow training Darwin, Katherine & Alice Springs (free)

NTAHC is running free LGBTQI awareness training in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs.

LGBTI Silver Rainbow Training final dates for 2016.The Silver Rainbow last training days throughout the Northern Territory for.

Darwin – May 23rd & June 27th 2016
Katherine – June 15th & 16th 2016
Alice Springs – May 26th 2016

This project is delivering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) aged care awareness training to a broad range of staff working in ageing and aged care, students studying aged care, aged care assessment teams nationally and people that work with LGBTI community.

This free, comprehensive, one day training will help promote a better understanding of the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people. It will provide staff with more confidence to deliver inclusive, best practice service.

Silver Rainbow is a national partnership between Alliance members in every State and Territory.

· Exploring the lives of LGBTI Australians
· Terminology
· Social stigma and assumptions
· Impacts of negative attitudes
· Ageing issues specific to older LGBTI people.
· Current legislation.
· Inclusivity in the work place and working with clients

Please book as seats are limited. Please contact Hande Noyan on 8944 7777 or hande.noyan@ntahc.org.au for more information and to register.