In 2008, after a lengthy campaign by lobby groups and activists, 85 Commonwealth laws were changed to eliminate discrimination against GLBTIQ couples and their children in a wide range of areas, including social security, taxation, Medicare, veteran's affairs, workers' compensation, educational assistance, superannuation, family law and child support.

For detailed information on these changes, please go to http://www.ag.gov.au/samesexreform

Taking action is easy.

No matter what your sexual orientation, everyone can support equal treatment for all before the law.

Whether you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or straight, you can make a difference and be part of progressive social reform.

Here are some ideas.

• Register to Vote

If you are not registered to vote you can not voice an opinion in the next Election (Federal or State). Visit http://www.aec.gov.au/_content/what/enrolment/index.htm for information on how to register.

• Join the VGLRL or make a donation

It costs very little to join VGLRL and entitles you to attend meetings and be on the committee. It also helps VGLRL financially.

Even small donations add up. Make a donation to VGLRL to help with running costs, press advertising, lobbying and other campaigning. Please post donations to:

VGLRL
PO Box 21305
Little Lonsdale Street, VIC 8011

• Phone, fax, email or write in

State and Federal politicians need to know why these changes are needed. Personal letters expressing how discrimination and lack of legal recognition affects your life will be very effective.

• Write in to Newspapers

Send letters-to-the-editor when gay and lesbian rights are attacked. Watch the papers and when you see a negative or discriminatory comment, answer in short and sensible terms that human rights are essential and no human being is a second class citizen because of the way they are born.

Some main papers that take letters to the editor are listed below, there are also local and regional papers that have similar sections.

The Age - http://theage.com.au/letters/

The Australian - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/letters

The Herald Sun - http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/letter

 

• Be out and proud with your family and friends

Be supportive publicly of gay equality (with friends, family and in group situations). All our colleagues, friends and family can also help bring about equality by supporting it too.

Direct people who are interested in law reform to this website. Encourage them to join VGLRL so they can support the campaigning for gay and lesbian equal rights.

 

One of the best ways is to write a letter.

In order to help you write a letter, we have prepared a "sample". We encourage you to add your own personal experiences and personal attitudes to the letter or draft your own. It is best to keep it short, courteous and to the point. If you don't have time to add to it you can send it as is.

You can also ask for a meeting with your representatives so you can lobby them in person or call their office and make your opinion known.

See http://www.aph.gov.au/whoswho/ for contact details of federal politicians and http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/  for Victorian state politicians.

To email the Prime minister directly go to

http://www.pm.gov.au/ 

SAMPLE LETTER

The VGLRL is unable to provide legal or financial advice. As a team of volunteers, we unfortunately do not have the resources to assist with individual matters. Please contact the Federation of Community Legal Centres to be directed to the right place http://www.fclc.org.au/cb_pages/getting_legal_help.php

We are happy to provide comment to the media regarding current affairs and topical issues. Please call the mobile number listed in Contact Us to speak with the Lobby spokesperson.

The {also} directory also provides an excellent list of resources.

 

All inquiries about individual incidents of discrimination should be referred to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission:

http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/