The LGBTQ+ Community and the Voice to Parliament

Later this year, there will be a national referendum on whether or not we should enshrine in the Constitution, an Indigenous Voice to the Federal Parliament. Just watch one evening news segment and you’ll most likely see and hear from some of the lead Yes and No campaigners. But there’s one Yes campaigner you probably wouldn’t have seen, and that’s the founder of ‘Australian Marriage Equality’, Rodney Croome.

During a recent interview, Croome pointed out that;

Indigenous activists played a greater role in inspiring the Australian LGBTQ+ movement than is often acknowledged [as] the Aboriginal civil rights movement… showed LGBTQ+ advocates that change in Australia [is] possible.

Like with all factors of inequality, intersectionality exists between discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and First Nations people. During the plebiscite campaign, several Indigenous leaders were leading voices in favour, who are now explaining that much like the connection between marriage equality and improved mental health, there is a connection between Indigenous sovereignty and improved health and educational outcomes. We have a unique responsibility to repay our thanks and inspiration to these leaders and their communities, and to support a Voice.

For those of us who remember just how vile the plebiscite campaign was back in 2017, we can sympathise with the hostile political attacks aimed at Indigenous peoples during this campaign. In solidarity, we must stand up against this fearmongering, and fight against the misinformation being peddled by the extreme conservatives.

Earlier this year, Anthony Albanese made history as the first Australian Prime Minister to march in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Let’s not forget that it was Albanese who introduced the Superannuation (Entitlements of Same Sex Couples) Bill 1999 to give LGBTQ+ workers equal rights under superannuation law. He is a proud supporter of LGBTQ+ people, repeatedly calling on Australians to “celebrate our diversity, not just tolerate it, because our diversity it what gives our society strength.” These words can be used to celebrate both the LGBTQ+ and First Nations communities.

To the burning question of ‘will a Voice will reduce racism in Australia’, we can compare it to the plebiscite result not ending homophobia. The adoption of marriage equality hasn’t brought an end to homophobia, but it has reduced it, and therefore made a profound positive difference for numerous people’s lives. No portion of society is completely homogenous, and we all bring new perspectives to a debate; and that’s what the Voice will do.

Just as the possibility of losing the marriage vote would have served as a blow to the crusade for LGBTQ+ equality, a defeat later this year would represent a failure of the Australian population to recognise the historical injustices underpinning Indigenous inequality. However, a successful vote will signify that Australia can be a fairer, more respectful, and inclusive society, where the voices of the disadvantaged are heard, listened to, and considered. I implore you to vote YES in the upcoming referendum. EllieVenning(she/her)