As marriage equality continues to remain out of reach for many people in Australia’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) communities, ACON, NSW’s leading HIV support, HIV prevention and LGBTI health organisation, and the Centre for Social Research in Health at UNSW have released a report on the public health evidence.
The report brings together key pieces of research with the aim of informing the current debate on marriage equality in Australia, as it is essential that policy makers, health professionals and the broader public understand how the health and wellbeing of LGBTI people is being impacted by the lack of marriage equality in Australia.
Minimal research evidence exists on the impacts of marriage equality and denial on transgender and intersex people. More work must be done to include transgender and intersex people in this debate and in a new definition of marriage. The evidence provided in this review reflects the focus on same-sex couples (LGB people) and the unfortunate lack of research that explores the transgender and intersex experience.
“Through the release of the report it is our strong desire to see the ongoing debate about marriage equality informed by the public health evidence base”.
The positive health impacts of marriage equality for same-sex couples are clear, as are the potential negative health effects of marriage denial and a potential plebiscite,” ACON President Dr Justin Koonin said.
“Together with the Centre for Social Research in Health, we hope to provide a tool for stakeholders and the broader community, in order to ground the debate in evidence, and to raise awareness of the significant health impacts of marriage equality.”
ACON has long supported equal marriage rights for our communities, and together with a coalition of partner organisations, recently expressed a desire to see this achieved by a vote in Parliament. (Please see our related press release).
“If a prolonged period of ongoing debate on marriage equality continues, Australians must be presented with pertinent and trusted evidence to make an informed decision about marriage equality. The health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people must be central to this discussion” urged Dr Koonin.
Professor Carla Treloar from the Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, said that in Australia there is little research into the impacts of marriage denial on LGBTI communities.
However, a significant body of international research, as presented in this review, indicates the positive health outcomes for LGBTI people living in jurisdictions where marriage equality has been achieved.
In addition, Professor Treloar stated “the higher rates of mental health issues and suicidality in LGBTI communities make these groups more vulnerable to the potentially negative rhetoric that may arise in the prolonged national debate on this issue,”
“Some studies in this review demonstrate the negative impacts of anti-same-sex marriage campaigns on the mental health of LGBTI people.”
ACON President Dr Justin Koonin concludes, “ACON is committed to ensuring the health of LGBTI communities at this difficult time, next week we will be releasing two resources for health care and other service providers on how they can assist their LGBTI clients as the marriage equality debate continues in Australia. “
The report can be viewed here.
ENDS