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Marriage equality, the last hurdle?

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St Paul’s primary school in Darwin recently attracted national media attention for releasing a 15 page anti-marriage equality flyer in the school newsletter, as has Natasha Grigg ‘s announcement of support for marriage equality.

While marriage equality is an important step for LGBTQI people in the Northern Territory, other inequalities will continue to exist even if the federal marriage act is amended to include same-sex couples. LGBTQI people experience a range of discrimination under NT law including:

  • same-sex couples not being allowed to adopt
  • exemption for religious educational authorities to discriminate against people on the basis of sexuality, where the discrimination is done “in good faith to avoid offending the religious sensitivities of people of a particular religion”
  • requiring a person born in the NT who wish to have their sex altered on a birth certificate undergo sexual reassignment surgery
  • the absence of protection against discrimination for intersex people under the Anti-Discrimination Act.
A recent survey conducted by Rainbow Territory has found changing these NT laws is a high priority for the community. The action by Saint Paul’s demonstrates that discrimination is supported by powerful groups. Discrimination under NT law will continue regardless of the outcome of marriage equality.

Want to do something about it?

Get involved in Rainbow Territory’s fight for equality under the law for all Territorians by attending regular meetings, signing up to our email list, participating in a regular shout outs for vollies, or by telling Rainbow Territory how you can help.

The next Rainbow Territory meeting is Tuesday 16 June, 5-6:30pm, Darwin. If you are outside of Darwin and want to get involved please contact Rainbow Territory. New members are always welcome.

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Recent poor media coverage of the LGBTQI community

Two recent NT News articles have highlighted the poor reporting of the LGBTQI community. These articles help to perpetuate myths about our community and should be challenged.

“Criticism over AIDS support”
On 11 May 2015 the NT News published a short article covering NTAHC’s concerns about the low level of funded services for LGBTQI people in the NT. While coverage of this issue is good, the headline suggests that AIDS is part and parcel of being a member of the gay community. This mindset was prevalent in the 80s, and it is very concerning that this attitude remains within the mainstream press in 2015. The article also lists the Q in LGBTIQ as “questioning”. This excludes members of our community who identify as queer.

“Caught blue handed in the mood for glove”
The headline of the second article published the same week as above is typical tongue in cheek from NT News. However the article has underlying messages that include:

  • gay people are dangerous and you need to be prepared to defend yourself, and
  • children are at risk from gay people.

If the NT police chased after every person who asked a stranger for oral sex they would be very busy, and mainly on Mitchell St. at 3am.


What you can do about this
If you read an article you are not happy with:

  • write a letter to the editor outlining concerns that you have in relation the article
  • complain to the media outlet that published the article, the Press Council or Media Watch

If you are a person who is quoted or an organization that has completed a press release and you feel you have been misrepresented

  • inform the media outlet about your concerns and ask for a correction. This is especially important in relation to online articles as the text can be updated after publishing.
  • complain as above
  • if you are putting out a press release consider sending through these guidelines to the media outlet so they can be better informed about how to report. Although from the United States, they are good start.