Greens MPs today joined the trans community and their allies on Parliament’s lawn condemning growing transphobia, homophobia and misogyny.
Standing in solidarity with the National Union of Students and Canberra’s LGBTIQA+ community, Greens MPs spoke out about far right activists using transphobia to recruit people to their cause—with willing allies in Parliament and the media helping them do it by stoking a culture war to drive ratings.
Today’s event in Parliament is hosted by a group that cynically rebranded after their homophobic campaign against marriage equality failed.
Last week, Channel 7 aired a vile attack on young trans people, using people’s stories and images without their consent to promote hateful, ignorant and transphobic narratives to increase viewership at the expense of trans kids.
Earlier this year, anti-trans campaigners in Melbourne were joined on the steps of Victoria’s Parliament by neo-Nazis who were photographed and videoed performing Nazi salutes.
Stephen Bates MP, Australian Greens LGBTQIA+ Spokesperson said:
These fearmongers peddling transphobia are the same ones who peddled homophobia against marriage equality.
After Australia resoundingly said Yes to marriage equality, the homophobes at the Marriage Alliance just rebranded as Binary Australia to hop on the next attack line against our community. There is no line these people won’t cross. They’re hellbent on taking us back decades on LGBTIQA+ and women’s rights.
Allies need to show up and stand with our community after these disgraceful attacks on trans kids in our Parliament and in our media.
Trans people, especially trans youth, are some of the most brave and resilient in our community, but they shouldn’t have to be. Now more than ever, they need our support.
I will always stand with the LGBTIQA+ community against hate speech. Trans rights are non-negotiable.
Senator Janet Rice, Australian Greens Senator for Victoria said:
When your movement is supported by Nazis, you’re on the wrong side of history.
Transphobia has no place in our parliament. It’s shameful that this platforming of hatred, fuelled by the far-right, is being sanctioned by MPs in this building.
Anti-trans campaigners are outnumbered at every event, and despite continued threats to our safety, we continue to show up to tell them that they are not welcome.
We will always stand in solidarity with trans people and their communities.
You deserve to be celebrated. You deserve to be safe to be yourself. The Greens will always stand with the LGBTIQA+ community and you are loved and celebrated.