The Way Forward – LGBTIQ Report

Consultation Process

UPDATE: Below is a record of what appeared on YourSAy during the open consultation process from 15 December 2017 to 16 February 2018.

We are asking LGBTIQ South Australians to provide feedback on the outcomes of the South Australian Strategy for the Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer People 2014 – 2016 and to identify future priorities for this work.

What is being decided?

Since 2012 the South Australian Government has taken significant steps toward improving the lives of LGBTIQ South Australians. 2014 saw the launch of the South Australian Strategy for the Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer People 2014 – 2016. The Way Forward: LGBTIQ Report (654 KB) provides a snapshot of some of these achievements and we want you to tell us what we have done well, what issues you think we should focus on in the future and what we should tell specific government agencies about their service provision to members of the LGBTIQ communities.

How can your input influence the decision?

Your input is invaluable in informing future directions. We need your perspective on what is working well and what can be improved. We will use this information to inform relevant government agencies and help them shape ongoing priorities.

How will your input be used?

Once the consultation period has closed on February 16, 2018, we will collate the information and provide a summary of what we have heard from you on the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion website. It is expected that this will be completed by the end of March 2018.

Get involved

You can have your say by:

• joining the online discussion
• sending your feedback to DCSI.SocialInclusion@sa.gov.au

Join the online discussion before submissions close 5pm 16 February 2018.

Want to know more?

If you need any further information, please get in touch:

• by calling 8415 4348
• by emailing DCSI.SocialInclusion@sa.gov.au

Background

There is a great deal of evidence that people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex or Queer (LGBTIQ) are subjected to many forms of stigma, discrimination and exclusion as a result of their sexual orientation, Intersex status or gender identity. While there are no definitive figures on the size of the LGBTIQ population, it is estimated to range from 2% to 11% of the Australian population. Recent international estimates suggest that between 1 in 500 and 1 in 11,500 people identify as transgender and it is estimated that between 1 in 200 and 1 in 500 people are born with physical variations that meet the definition for various intersex conditions.

In recognition of the levels of social exclusion experienced by those in the LGBTIQ communities, as a result of prejudice and discrimination, the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion developed the South Australian Strategy for the Inclusion of LGBTIQ People 2014 - 2016. The strategy was developed in partnership with the LGBTIQ communities, including a Rainbow Advisory Council. In November 2015 DCSI launched the 2015-16 Rainbow Survey asking LGBTIQ South Australians about their experiences accessing services and engaging in community activities, as well as their opinion on what could be improved. While many who responded indicated very positive life experiences, results also revealed that LGBTIQ people usually mask their full identity in a range of public places to avoid discrimination and few seek recourse to incidents of abuse. The Way Forward: LGBTIQ Report (646 KB) provides a snapshot of the achievements toward LGBTIQ equality that have occurred since 2014. The South Australian Strategy for the Inclusion of LGBTIQ People and the 2015-16 Rainbow Survey can be found on the DCSI website.