Case for special treatment
In response to Helen Leach (“Why should LGBTI people get special treatment?”, Bendigo Advertiser, April 13), the fact that this letter has been written is evidence of why LGBTI Australians need special treatment.
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As a parent of an LGBTI child I have had to witness both overt and passive discrimination whilst I watched my son grow into a wonderful caring young man.
The suicide rate is unacceptable and misinformed letters such as this should be used to educate the writers and like-minded people.
Preferential treatment? I don’t think so! Evidently we are not shouting loud enough!
See a small list below of statistics published by the Australian Human rights Commission:
- A large number of LGBTI people hide their sexuality or gender identity when accessing services (34 per cent), at social and community events (42 per cent) and at work (39 per cent). Young people aged 16 to 24 years are most likely to hide their sexuality or gender identity.
- LGBTI young people report experiencing verbal homophobic abuse (61 per cent), physical homophobic abuse (18 per cent) and other types of homophobia (9 per cent), including cyberbullying, graffiti, social exclusion and humiliation.
- 80 per cent of homophobic bullying involving LGBTI young people occurs at school and has a profound impact on their well-being and education.
- Transgender males and females experience significantly higher rates of non-physical and physical abuse compared with lesbians and gay men.
- Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are three times more likely to experience depression compared to the broader population.
- Around 61 per cent of same-sex attracted and gender-questioning young people said they experienced verbal abuse because of their sexuality, while 18 per cent reported experiencing physical abuse.
- Young men (70 per cent) and gender-questioning young people (66 per cent) were more likely than young women (53 per cent) to experience verbal abuse.
Ross McKay, Castlemaine
Conscription is the answer
Regarding the mall and the general issues with the unemployed 10 percenters in the community in general, a simple army conscription program for repeat young offenders would be very helpful to let these lost souls develop a framework for life.
It would instill in them the discipline, direction, national pride and respect for others they have lacked in their life. This would be a much better option than “new prisons” in my opinion
John Cahill, Strathfieldsaye
Affordable housing crisis
Housing affordability is finally getting the political attention it deserves. But for all the Canberra talk of aggregator bonds and “innovative financing instruments”, it’s cold comfort for those not sure where they are going to sleep tonight.
Nearly 40,000 Victorians who seek help from homelessness services are fleeing family violence. The responsibility to provide safe homes for women and children goes beyond politics.
With a tiny proportion of Melbourne’s private rentals affordable to someone on a low income, it’s no wonder we have families raising children in cars.
We must tackle issues like tax benefits for property investors, as well as demand state and federal investment in public and social housing.
Until we get it right though, we desperately need a commitment from the federal government that the National Affordability Housing Agreement will continue to be funded so we can keep delivering services supporting for those that have fallen by the wayside. No child in Australia deserves to spend winter living in a car.