See also: Religious leader claims COVID vaccine turns people gay
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Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT+ Lives
Join us in calling for an end to violence and criminalisation against LGBT+ people and for a global ban on conversion therapy.
We recognise that certain religious teachings have, throughout the ages, been misused to cause deep pain and offense to those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex.
This must change.
That is why we have launched the Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT+ Lives, which aims to provide a strong and authoritative voice from religious leaders across the global faith community who wish to affirm and celebrate the dignity of all, independent of a person’s sexuality, gender expression and gender identity.
Multicultural voices in support of the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020
Multicultural voices in support of the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020
Wednesday 9 December 2020
Various multi-faith, multicultural LGBTQ+ and allied voices have written an open letter in support of the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020 currently before the Victorian Parliament.
The letter is signed by:
- Ghassan Kassisieh, Legal Director, Equality Australia and author of the ‘We’re Family Too’ report
- Dr Judy Tang, Victorian Multicultural Commissioner and ex-President of Australian LGBTIQ+ Multicultural Council
- Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, Research lead and founding member of Australian LGBTIQ+ Multicultural Council (AGMC); Gender & Sexuality Studies, Deakin University
- Cedric Yin-Cheng, Chief Executive Officer, Australia & New Zealand Tongzhi Rainbow Alliance Inc (ANTRA)
- Abanob Saad, Conversion Practice Survivor and Founder, Queer Middle-Eastern and African Christians in Australia (QMEACA)
- Benjamin Oh and Molina Asthana, Co-Convenors, Asian Australian Alliance (AAA)
- Budi Sudarto, Director, Ananda Training & Consultancy and Member of Queer Muslims in Australia
- Ken Dumandan, President, Acceptance Melbourne LGBTIQ+ Catholics
- Dr Reem Sweid, Founder and former President of Muslim Collective; Faculty Member, Alfred Deakin Research Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University
- Nathan Despott, Brave Network
- Michael Barnett, Co-convenor, Aleph Melbourne
- Bhante Akāliko Bhikkhu, Rainbodhi LGBTQIA+ Buddhist Community
Media contact
Paige Burton
Equality Australia
paige.burton@equalityaustralia.org.au
0418 432 030
Jewish Care Victoria welcomes legislative ban on harmful LGBTI+ conversion practices
Melbourne Jewish School Launches Well-Being Policy | Star Observer
Correcting the record
Whilst grateful for the Jewish Community Council of Victoria’s sincere apology to Aleph Melbourne in 2019, the apology was not exactly for “[Aleph’s] 1999 exclusion from the JCCV” as stated here by outgoing President Jennifer Huppert:
Oboler takes the reins from Jennifer Huppert, who served two three-year terms. The lawyer and former Labor MLC told The AJN the JCCV’s role in the Victorian Jewish Community Bushfire Relief Appeal and in the Jewish Community COVID Taskforce were key developments on her watch, as was obtaining funding for communal security. Bringing in LGBTIQ group Keshet and the apology to gay-rights group Aleph for its 1999 exclusion from the JCCV were milestones. She noted, “Gen17 showed that Jewish people identify in many different ways.”
“Andre Oboler takes the JCCV reins” | AJN (Nov 19 2020)
The exact wording of the JCCV apology, as taken from the Motion to JCCV Plenum – April 2019, is:
Accordingly, this Plenum now apologises unconditionally to all members of our community who were impacted by the rejection of the membership application and for the unacceptable homophobic views expressed during the debate.
We apologise for the deep offence and humiliation caused by the hateful words spoken in the course of the debate.
We apologise for the subsequent distress, further marginalisation and stigmatisation caused by the rejection of Aleph Melbourne’s membership application.
Leibler Yavneh College commended for new LGBTI+ wellbeing policy | Pink Advocate
Woman of Valor (אשת חיל) – Mobile Film Festival Women’s Empowerment
From the Mobile Film Festival (1 Mobile, 1 Minute, 1 Film – Women’s Empowerment):
As a secular straight student at Jewish University, I have witnessed the struggle of the Orthodox Jewish LGBTQ community to gain recognition from the University. The natural tension between tradition and innovation arouses my curiosity, especially when there are those who suppose that some of our biblical heroes loved their same sex, like David and Jonathan. I wanted to touch on this ongoing conflict between faith and self expression. Is there another way by which we can live and let live?
Directed by: Lara Vosburgh
Country: United States of America
