LGBT Queenslanders are calling for action from the Government.

We are not equal before the law in Queensland.  We experience historic & present day social exclusion and suffer poorer health & wellbeing, yet have fewer health & community services.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals and organisations across Queensland stand ready to work with government and mainstream services to improve the lives of LGBT people, if only we were resourced to do so.

The Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC) has produced the attached document ‘Improving the Lives of LGBT Queenslanders: a call to action’ to outline the range of health, wellbeing and related issues facing LGBT Queenslanders.

We’ve also identified practical and achievable actions to begin to address these issues.  Actions for government, mainstream organisations and the LGBT community.

But we will need Government’s help to turn these actions into reality.  For too long the needs of LGBT Queenslanders have been overlooked and neglected.  We call on Members of Parliament to speak up for LGBT people, families and communities.  Make sure our needs are included in government policies, programs and services.  Ensure that mainstream services are culturally appropriate and inclusive.  And support the resourcing of LGBT communities so that we can look after ourselves and each other.

This ‘call to action’ has been sent to all Queensland Members of Parliament.  We will be following it up with requests for meetings with relevant Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries (and their Shadows) and Directors-General.