The NSW Parliament has long worked together on matters of equality for LGBTIQ communities and last week my motion for reform and increased support for trans and gender diverse people got unanimous support in the Legislative Assembly. Trans and gender diverse people experience very high rates of discrimination, stigma, isolation and exclusion and this contributes to poor health and wellbeing and reduced employment and social opportunities. Major life barriers also exist because New South Wales has archaic and unreasonable surgical requirements to update state documentation, which are inconsistent with passport requirements. The motion passed on International Pronouns Day, when the importance of referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is celebrated.

During debate I paid tribute to the contribution of organisations like the Gender Centre, ACON, Inner City Legal Centre, Equality Australia, Twenty10 and TransPride Australia which help transgender people navigate the system and reach their potential.

The supportive and respectful debate by members across the political spectrum demonstrates the Parliament’s clear opposition to the discrimination voiced by Mark Latham and his bill to ban schools from teaching gender diversity. Details: > HERE.