The VGLRL welcomes the passing of the Charter of the Human Rights and Responsibilities (link) by the Victorian Government. Victorian Government departments and agencies will have to comply with the Charter and have regard for human rights in their day-to-day operations.
The VGLRL believes that human rights compliance of Victorian Government agencies and public authorities must be the focus of the work of the Charter. For example, the Victorian prison system must ensure prisoner’s rights are upheld, especially in relation to non-discrimination and access to services.
The Victorian Government should also ensure that the Equal Opportunity Commission is given adequate funding to monitor human rights compliance and promote a human rights culture in Victoria.
The VGLRL is keen to ensure that we use Charter innovatively to improve human rights for LGBTIQ Victorians. We are keen to ensure members are involved in this – please contact us should you want to assist.
Equality in service provision
The provision of social services is a primary responsibility of the Victorian Government, especially in the areas of health and education. Access to quality services for LGBTIQ people and communities is essential to maintaining a strong, cohesive and inclusive community.
The VGLRL believes that the Victorian Government should ensure all its agencies consider and accommodate LGBTIQ people and communities. This should be achieved through: ensuring ‘mainstream’ services acknowledge, accept and support the experiences and lives of LGBTIQ people; and the institution of specific services for the benefit of LGBTIQ people.
Health
The Victorian Government has established the Ministerial Council on Gay and Lesbian Health (MCGLH) as well as Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria (GLHV) to address the health issues of LGBTI people and communities. The Victorian Government should continue to support these institutions. Further training, funding and support should also be given to mainstream health providers, including through Municipal Public Health Plans, to address health issues of LGBTIQ people and communities.
Education
The Victorian Government must ensure all Victorian schools are same-sex attracted and gender inclusive friendly environments that actively challenge homophobia, gender stereotyping and transphobia, for example:
The VGLRL believes that human rights compliance of Victorian Government agencies and public authorities must be the focus of the work of the Charter. For example, the Victorian prison system must ensure prisoner’s rights are upheld, especially in relation to non-discrimination and access to services.
The Victorian Government should also ensure that the Equal Opportunity Commission is given adequate funding to monitor human rights compliance and promote a human rights culture in Victoria.
The VGLRL is keen to ensure that we use Charter innovatively to improve human rights for LGBTIQ Victorians. We are keen to ensure members are involved in this – please contact us should you want to assist.
Equality in service provision
The provision of social services is a primary responsibility of the Victorian Government, especially in the areas of health and education. Access to quality services for LGBTIQ people and communities is essential to maintaining a strong, cohesive and inclusive community.
The VGLRL believes that the Victorian Government should ensure all its agencies consider and accommodate LGBTIQ people and communities. This should be achieved through: ensuring ‘mainstream’ services acknowledge, accept and support the experiences and lives of LGBTIQ people; and the institution of specific services for the benefit of LGBTIQ people.
Health
The Victorian Government has established the Ministerial Council on Gay and Lesbian Health (MCGLH) as well as Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria (GLHV) to address the health issues of LGBTI people and communities. The Victorian Government should continue to support these institutions. Further training, funding and support should also be given to mainstream health providers, including through Municipal Public Health Plans, to address health issues of LGBTIQ people and communities.
Education
The Victorian Government must ensure all Victorian schools are same-sex attracted and gender inclusive friendly environments that actively challenge homophobia, gender stereotyping and transphobia, for example:
- The Victorian Government must support and resource school communities to take whole school approaches to challenging homophobia, gender stereotyping and transphobia and to promote the celebration of diversity. Mainstream curriculum, including sexuality education, and specific school services must be inclusive of same sex attraction, homosexuality and transgender issues and information.
- Children with same sex attracted parents and family members, LGBTIQ staff members and young people who are same sex attracted, transgender or queer must be safe, supported and welcome within pre-schools, school communities and childcare institutions.
