LGBTI activists and supporters marched through the streets of Melbourne on February 9 to oppose Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s religious discrimination bill. If passed, the bill would increase the ability of religious institutions and individuals to discriminate.
Under the legislation, religious-run services, including schools, hospitals and aged-care facilities, would be able to hire and fire on the basis of sexuality and gender identity. Individuals could also be blocked from accessing reproductive health or gender-affirming treatment on religious grounds.
Roz Ward, a spokesperson for Rainbow Rebellion, which organised the rally, said the bill would legalise "discriminatory acts and statements that could target not just LGBTI people, but anyone from a minority community.Â
"It is appalling that the Morrison government seems to care more about allowing religious schools to expel LGBTI students and sack LGBTI teachers than paying firefighters, evacuating bushfire-hit communities or transitioning away from fossil fuels.â€
Speakers at the rally included comedian Tom Ballard, Wurundjeri elder Annette Xiberras, and Natalie Acreman from the National Union of Students and Uni Students for Climate Justice.Â
