LGBTIQ+ Health Australia CEO Nicky Bath.
With trans and gender diverse people under the media microscope, peak organisation LGBTIQ+ Health Australia (LHA) is calling urgently for care following ongoing conversations about trans women in sport.
CEO of LHA Nicky Bath says that the constant media coverage about trans and gender diverse people is continuing to cause great harm, particularly for trans women. ‘Each and every time media draws attention to this matter, there is further harm.
‘Trans and gender diverse people are not political footballs and conversations need to be led by experts in appropriate forums with care and understanding.
Ms Bath says the election campaign is not an appropriate forum. ‘LHA is asking the media to work responsibly and in a more balanced way with our communities and to work towards reducing the harms that have been caused.’
Research shows that trans and gender diverse people experience higher rates of psychological distress, suicidal ideation and attempts. LHA wants to remind media of the Australian Press Council Guidelines which outline the need to balance freedom of the press to inform against the harmful impact that reporting can have on individuals and communities.
As a result of stigma and discrimination, LGBTIQ+ people experience disproportionate rates of poor mental health and suicidality. What is happening in the news can often exacerbate that poor mental health.
QLife needs to be included in any coverage on LGBTIQ+ people, so that those who may be distressed by what is happening in the news know that support is available.
QLife provides free peer support and referrals for issues around sexuality, gender, bodies and relationships from 3pm to midnight, every day on 1800 184 527.
Visit: https://qlife.org.au/
Katherine Deves, the Liberal candidate for HoR seat of Warringah and Morrison who ‘used’ her as his Captain’s Pick, both have a lot to answer for.
That Deves is claiming to be a victim ( the death threats, we can’t have that ) in the firestorm of hate that she has unleashed is almost laughable, she has no consideration for the transgender community.
Transgender community is being used politically to divide the community.
The game of Division, the Morrison go to tactic, he at it again.
Transgender participation in sport is not ‘end of days’, there are processes in place;
– Section 42 of the Sex Discrimination Act allows people to be excluded from competing in sport
based on their sex, gender identity or intersex status when the strength, stamina or physique of
competitors is relevant.
– Sports Australia has guidelines for inclusion and navigating decisions on transgender athletes’
participation
I’m always astounded at how well-intentioned yet so naive people are when they make calls like this. As if Murdoch media doesn’t know exactly the harm they are causing, or cares. It is exactly this harm and division they profit from, and therefore will continue to do it until it either ceases to be profitable, or there become consequences that outweigh that profit. I don’t see the latter ever happening as the media watchdog has already demonstrated it also doesn’t care, or is possibly in Murdoch’s or the Libs pockets. The former will only happen when the dinosaurs become extinct, and we all know dinosaurs find niche environment bubbles to hide and exist in, Loch Ness for example.
Unknowing people? Nah. They know exactly what they’re trying to impound.
Our ‘primed-up’ Morrison + Deves, Liberal candidate (imagined victimhood)
& Muddy Murdoch. What a priceless batch of sods. I wonder what these
proud Aussies do in their spare time – pull wings off butterflies? Are they dog
& frog kickers? Bully beings is too small an order. They probably need a sign
of pitying from above – that’s my take on the misery of it.
Young people who don’t read the echo will not be offended by this: transsexualism is a mental health dilemma. Courage please! Germaine Greer and I agree. Don’t cut healthy flesh.