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Consultation: Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity

Addressing sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity discriminationConsultation: Protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity

The Australian Human Rights Commission conducted a consultation in 2010 to canvas the experiences and views of people who may have been discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity.

There is little protection in federal law – unlike in state and territory law – from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity. The Commission has called for federal protection from discrimination on these grounds for many years.

The Commission's consultation provided compelling evidence of the need for change. Participants shared personal stories of discrimination, violence, harassment and bullying on the basis of sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity. Many people spoke of the negative impact this has had on their health and wellbeing. A majority of participants identified a need for greater protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity, including in federal anti-discrimination law.

Addressing sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity discrimination is the product of the Commission's consultation. It captures the diverse range of views expressed by participants in the consultation about measures that would improve human rights protections for people of all sexual orientations and sex and/or gender identities. This consultation report aims to instruct and assist the implementation of the national Human Rights Framework and strengthen human rights safeguards for all Australians.

Background Papers

  • The consultation Discussion Paper outlines the issues for consideration and included questions for discussion.
  • A longer Research Paper prepared by Anna Chapman of the University of Melbourne is a resource providing more detailed information, particularly on state and territory discrimination protections.

Comments

The Commission’s call for comments ended on Friday 26 November 2010.

Roundtables

The Commission held two roundtable conversations in each of Sydney and Melbourne as part of this consultation.

Sydney roundtables, 28 October 2010

Venue: Australian Human Rights Commission, Level 8, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney

2.00 – 4.30pm – focussing on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

6.00 – 8.30pm – focussing on discrimination on the basis of sex and/or gender identity

Melbourne roundtables, 9 November 2010

Venue: Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Level 3, 380 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

3.00 – 5.30pm – focussing on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation

6.00 – 8.30pm – focussing on discrimination on the basis of sex and/or gender identity

Consultation report

Media release

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