鈥淲e鈥檙e running out of time鈥� on Religious Discrimination Bill
Image: Ali Hogg at a marriage equality rally in Melbourne. Photo: Dean Arcuri.
Activists are warning there isn鈥檛 much time to protest the Morrison government鈥檚 controversial Religious Discrimination Bill before the proposed reforms are passed, with LGBTI people and allies encouraged to voice their concerns at a rally in Melbourne on October 26.
A draft Religious Discrimination Bill was released in August and was criticised by activists for allowing discrimination against LGBTI people on the basis of religious belief and overriding existing anti-discrimination laws.
Activist and rally organiser Ali Hogg described the bill as 鈥渁larming鈥� and told the Star Observer it will have 鈥渉uge ramifications鈥� for the LGBTI community if it passes.
鈥淲e knew it was going to be bad, but it鈥檚 a million times worse than we thought it was going to be,鈥� Hogg said.
鈥淛ust having legislation like this that exist, that exempts people from anti-discrimination laws, will have a real psychological impact on LGBTQI people, especially since we already see such alarming suicide rates within our community.鈥�
A rally to oppose the bill is scheduled to take place in Melbourne on October 26 at 1pm at the State Library of Victoria, and will include a march through the city.
Greens deputy leader Adam Bandt and Executive Director of Change.org Sally Rugg are among the confirmed speakers for the event, which will be Auslan interpreted.
鈥淭hey [the Morrison government] want to pass the bill by Christmas so it鈥檚 important we do something about this now,鈥� Hogg said, adding that it is 鈥渦rgent鈥� the LGBTI community understands what is at stake.
A similar rally was held in Melbourne in August and attracted an estimated 500 people, but Hogg said she hopes to see a greater turnout this time around.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 have time to build a strong, vibrant campaign over several years. We鈥檝e only got a few months until the government passes this bill.鈥�
Although many LGBTI people are still reeling from the marriage equality campaign, Hogg said it is important to 鈥渟end a message鈥� before it is too late.
鈥淚 think people鈥檚 exhaustion will affect the campaign, but that doesn鈥檛 mean we shouldn鈥檛 fight,鈥� Hogg said.
鈥淢ost people of faith don鈥檛 want to see this bill pass. We鈥檙e going to do everything we can to stop it and we hope people will join us along the way.
鈥淓ven though we鈥檙e exhausted, we need to keep fighting.鈥�
