Weekend Wrap for 13 March 2022
Welcome to the NSL Weekend Wrap for 13 March 2022, where you can catch up on the latest secular-related news from around the country.
Do you have any campaigns, petitions, webinars or other event notices that could be added to our "Events and Campaigns" segment? Let us know at wrap@nsl.org.au.
At the National Level
Just.Equal Australia has written to Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke, urging him to accept LGBTIQ+ refugees from Ukraine. The move comes as the US State Department reveals invading Russian forces have a kill list that includes LGBTIQ+ community members. (6 Mar 2022)
Read more at Out in Perth
The National Redress Scheme needs to be better than a "second best" option for child sex abuse survivors not looking to face the "deeply traumatising adversarial legal system", Joint Select Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme deputy chair Sharon Claydon says. (8 Mar 2022)
Read more at The Newcastle Herald
Star Observer reports on a new US study showing that access to gender-affirming care significantly cuts the risk of suicide and depression in trans kids ("60% lower odds of depression" and "73% lower odds of suicidality"). (8 Mar 2022)
Read more at Star Observer
It was revealed at a hearing this week that the trial of Hillsong's former Senior Global Pastor, Brian Houston, will take place over a 3-4 week period in November. The trial relates to the concealment of historical child sexual abuse committed by his father, Pastor Frank Houston. (10 Mar 2022)
Read more at Eternity News
As the Federal election approaches, the Sydney Archdiocesan Justice and Peace Office and Josephite Justice Network have published a ‘Common Good Voting Kit’ to inform Catholics about some of the issues facing Australian civil society in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. (11 Mar 2022)
Read more at The Catholic Weekly
Around the Country
SA: The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) is running a targeted campaign to promote candidates from all sides of politics who voted against allowing easier access to late-term abortions in South Australia. (7 Mar 2022)
Read more at ABC News
SA: In the lead up to elections in South Australia on March 19, advocacy group SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance (SARAA) on Wednesday released its scorecard to help voters decide on where the major parties stand when it comes to LGBTQI rights and issues. (9 Mar 2022)
Read more at Star Observer
NSW: Inner West councillors have unanimously condemned transgender and gender diverse discrimination at a council meeting on Tuesday, March 8. The motion also calls on the NSW government to amend the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act to enable legal gender recognition without requiring surgical intervention. (12 Mar 2022)
Read more at Star Observer
SA: As voting began this week in pre-poll booths across the state, a campaign run by the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) also rolled out, with the aim of gaining greater influence over the agenda of the next government. (12 Mar 2022)
Read more at ABC News
WA: A West Australian mental health organisation says they've had a 6 per cent increase in LGBTQIA+ clients, bringing the total to 33 per cent. Manager Andrew Wenzel said the latest spike followed debates in federal parliament about religious freedom in schools. (12 Mar 2022)
Read more at ABC News
Commentary and Analysis
Brian Greig: "When it comes to teachers, Labor will protect LGBTQ+ teachers from being sacked, but it won’t protect them at the point of recruitment. Why the difference?" (8 Mar 2022)
Read more at Q News
Joshua Morris: "My 13-year-old daughter is a political football, and we are political expendable capital. We are traded in votes and manoeuvres designed to score points and bolster votes, rather than being where we want to be – left alone to live a normal life." (12 Mar 2022)
Read more at Star Observer
Events and Campaigns
Just.Equal are running a survey in an attempt to find out the election priorities of LGBTIQA+ Australians and their allies for the upcoming federal election.
A change.org petition is currently calling on the federal government to fund youth workers rather faith-based chaplains in our public schools.
Minister for Human Rights, Tara Cheyne, is running a petition calling on the Australian government to restore the right of Territories to pass laws on VAD. She also recommends people email the Commonwealth Attorney-General with their views, at attorney@ag.gov.au.
Dying With Dignity NSW has a tool that makes it easy for people to contact their federal MPs and senators to request help in repealing the "Andrews Bill", the 1997 legislation which denies the Territories the right to pass legislation on Voluntary Assisted Dying.
That's it for another week!
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