September 8 2009

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are being urged to help shape a national education campaign about the Federal Government’s recent same-sex law reforms.

The $350,000 Commonwealth-funded campaign aims to increase awareness and understanding of the new rights and responsibilities that LGBT people have under changes made in July to 85 pieces of Federal legislation.

The campaign is being produced by ACON – Australia’s largest LGBT health and HIV/AIDS organisation – on behalf of the National LGBT Health Alliance, a coalition of LGBT health organisations across Australia.

In preparation for the launch later this year, the campaign team is seeking feedback from LGBT people via an online survey to ensure the education campaign is as effective as possible.

Alliance Executive Director Gabi Rosenstreich says the needs and views of community members will shape both the content and the delivery of the campaign.

“We want to better understand how LGBT people are responding to the legislative reforms,” says Ms Rosenstreich. “We want to know their thoughts and feelings about the changes as well as how, when and where we can provide them with useful information.”

“We’d like to hear from everyone – whether you are in a relationship or not.”

ACON CEO Stevie Clayton says the 10 minute online survey is part of wide-ranging process of community consultation.

“Our campaign team is engaging with the community across Australia in a range of ways during the development phase of the campaign. This includes a national advisory group, working with local and state partners and seeking views directly from the community through focus groups and surveys.”

The survey will be open for a two week period from Monday 7 September 2009 to Tuesday 22 September 2009, 5pm and can be accessed from the Alliance website: www.lgbthealth.org.au/samesexlawreform