Fridae

This is the time when the population get the chance to review and amend the control of their country, and for the GLBTI (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex) community, this could be a crucial decision.

The major players in the election, Labor and Liberal National coalition, have previously blocked many sexuality and gender based bills and amendments. There are still a number of areas in which Australia gives way to discrimination on the basis of sexuality. However, this election will see the Greens and the Democrats strongly campaigning for GLBTI policies.

Unlike the Labor and Coalition parties, the Democrats and the Greens have actively pursued the equal rights of gay and lesbians concerning superannuation. Their beliefs are that freedom of sexuality and gender identity are fundamental human rights.

The democrats in 1995 introduced the Sexuality and Gender Status Discrimination Bill, which calls for equality in areas such as, employment and superannuation, education, accommodation, land, clubs, sport and application of commonwealth laws.

The Labor and Coalition Governments have not supported nor even allowed a debate of this bill, and have blocked many other attempts by the democrats to amend existing legislation by removing the discriminatory aspects.

"To date, the Commonwealth has failed to protect Australian citizens from sexuality discrimination, despite having both the mandate and authority to do so," says Senator Brian Greig, Democrats.

The Democrats also initiated the first national inquiry into Sexuality and Gender status discrimination, which reported in December 1997. They then moved for the removal of heterosexist and gender specific legislation in all delegated bills and acts, social security and youth assistance legislation.

The Democrats have actively supported the rights of gay and lesbian Australians for 24 years. (Including active and visual participation in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and national pride festivals.)

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The Greens have the distinction with relation to openly gay and lesbian candidates, with Bob Brown, the first openly gay senator first elected in 1983, Tasmania; Giz Watson, the first openly lesbian parliamentarian in WA in 1996; and the first openly Intersex candidate Tony Briffa in Lalor.

"The Greens not only have the policies, they also actively promote the issues and promote people," says Green candidate Tony Briffa.

Intersex is a naturally occurring biological variation where a child is born with anatomy or physiology that is different to what society currently perceives to be male and female. These conditions have been medically recognised for centuries, but have never been effectively covered in comprehensive legislation.

The all-encompassing policy which the Greens are campaigning includes; the provision to actively enhance the status of GLBTI communities, and strongly oppose any prejudice, fear or hatred towards GLBTI people. And to promote, achieve and advocate equity in all aspects of GLBTI including, prison services, superannuation, the defence forces, parenting and families, youth, the workplace and health and welfare issues. The greens maintain a comprehensive policy outlining individual support for specific needs, for example that of intersex and transgendered people.

Essentially what this means for Australians is that without the support of a comprehensive sexuality and gender anti discrimination bill, the gay and lesbian community is still, without the recognition and support of the commonwealth government and will therefore continue to experience atrocious inequalities and possibly regress in recognition of same sex couples.

Leader of the Democrats Natasha Stott Despoja, who enjoys high personal popularity, particularly in the gay and lesbian community commented that she was "pessimistic about the passage of gay law reform under either a Labor or Coalition government."