Tag: Oakleigh

Aleph Melbourne 2022 Voters Guide for LGBTIQ+ Equality – Victorian State Election

ALEPH MELBOURNEVOTERS GUIDE TO LGBTIQ+ EQUALITYVICTORIAN STATE ELECTION 2022#ALBERT PARK #BENTLEIGH #BRIGHTON #CAULFIELD #CLARINDA #HAWTHORN #MALVERN #OAKLEIGH #PRAHRAN

This guide is designed to inform voters who want to select candidates who have comprehensively demonstrated or pledged support for LGBTIQ+ equality and inclusion.

This election the guide covers Victorian electoral districts (as per 2022 electoral boundaries) with 700 or more people with Jewish religious affiliation as at the 2021 census.

What to look for in candidates that PRIORITISE LGBTIQ+ equality:
* A candidate statement
* [BEST] A comprehensive LGBTIQ+ policy platform and/or unequivocal commitment to LGBTIQ+ issues (green tick)
* [OK] A policy platform that shows some level of support to LGBTIQ+ issues (yellow tick)
* Are declared as an ally or LGBTIQ+

What to look for in candidates that OPPOSE LGBTIQ+ equality:
* A warning symbol against their name in the LGBTIQ+ column
* A policy platform that is inconsistent with LGBTIQ+ equality (red cross)

What if a candidate has not declared themselves as an ally and/or does not have an LGBTIQ+ policy platform?
We recommend you contact the candidate or their party and ask them directly.  They have not responded to our emails.

Feedback, corrections and updates are invited via our contact page. Information is provided here in good faith and on the understanding that it is correct.

Candidate statement: Loraine Fabb – Animal Justice Party for Oakleigh

The following political statement has been supplied by  Loraine Fabb who is running as a candidate for Oakleigh District in the 2022 Victorian State Government election.

Aleph Melbourne will endorse all political candidates who unconditionally support equal rights for LGBTIQ+ Jews and whose values align with ours.

Good morning, Michael!

Thank you for your email.

Kindness, equality, rationality and non-violence are the core values of the Animal Justice Party.

Our party values and my personal values align very well with the values of equality and dignity at Aleph.

As a party, the Animal Justice Party asserts that:

  • Gender and sexuality equality is a fundamental human right, and the health, safety and wellbeing of women, girls and gender-diverse people are paramount.
  • Reforms are essential to address the causes of gender and sexuality inequality and to protect people against gender and sexuality-based violence.
  • Women and gender-diverse people must be supported, encouraged and empowered to be present and/or prominent in all areas of society, including politics.
  • Everyone must be supported in informed decision-making with respect to gender and sexual identity;
  • There must be zero tolerance of sexism, homophobia, queerphobia, transphobia, misogyny and all types of violence (including gender and sexuality based violence), and we must work toward gender and sexuality equality and respect in all areas of society.
  • Gender-inclusive language should be used.
  • Our current MP, Andy Meddick, has been working tirelessly in Parliament to create more LGBTQIA+ safe spaces in Victoria, particularly for the youth community in areas such as Geelong and Ballarat.

I strongly support LGBTQIA+ organisations in our community, and assert that more LGBTQIA+ safe spaces are required throughout Victoria, including in the District of Oakleigh.  If elected, I will support and prioritise the LGBTQIA+ youth voice.

Kind regards,
Loraine Fabb
Oakleigh Candidate 
Animal Justice Party

Candidate statement: Steve Dimopoulos – Labor for Oakleigh

The following political statement has been supplied by Steve Dimopoulos who is running as a candidate for Oakleigh District in the 2022 Victorian State Government election.

Aleph Melbourne will endorse all political candidates who unconditionally support equal rights for LGBTIQ+ Jews and whose values align with ours.

Dear Michael,

Thank you for the opportunity.

I have a belief that everyone should be able to live their life unencumbered by bigotry and prejudice.

I am very proud of the track record that the Andrews Labor Government has in supporting the LGBTQI+ community including the introduction of the Safe Schools program to create a safe environment for children, the banning of gay conversion therapy, the building and opening of the Gay Pride Centre in St Kilda and sponsoring the first Pride match at AAMI park. Premier Dan Andrews has marched in Pride March since the first year he became Premier and continues to do so. There is a lot more I can say about, the support of the Government that I am a member of, for the LGBTQI+ community including mental health and festival funding but I want to leave you with the following – a big part of the reason I can be out as a Minister and an MP in the Government is because of the culture of our Government.

I will continue to support and advocate for the LGBTIQ+ community.

Steve Dimopoulos

Candidate statement: Dr Hsiang-Han Hsieh – Greens for Oakleigh

The following political statement has been supplied by Dr Hsiang-Han Hsieh who is running as a candidate for Oakleigh District in the 2022 Victorian State Government election.

Aleph Melbourne will endorse all political candidates who unconditionally support equal rights for LGBTIQ+ Jews and whose values align with ours.

My name is Hsiang (pronouns he/him), and I am the Greens candidate for the Oakleigh district.

I am proud gay/queer person of color, working as a doctor in mental health, and living with my partner in Oakleigh.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and Asexual (LGBTIQA+) people continue to face discrimination across multiple areas of our lives. As a result, our community is disproportionately affected with poor health, mental health, and social wellbeing.

The Greens have always championed the rights of LGBTIQA+ people, even before any other party did. The Greens plan includes:

  • An “Equality Bill” for Victoria, which strengthens the Equal Opportunity Act, strengthens the powers of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, expands anti-vilification laws, and more.
  • A $200 million “Rainbow State Fund” for LGBTIQA+ community-led organisations, which will support initiatives and services such as housing, healthcare, and celebratory events.
  • Continuing work with the LGBTIQA+ community to identify further areas of reform, including adoption, assisted reproductive treatment and surrogacy, to make sure that our laws protect everyone. 

Our laws should protect all LGBTIQA+ people from discrimation and harm, across all areas of our lives. We should all feel safe and have equal opportunities in life, no matter our sexuality, gender identity or sex characteristics.

Please refer to our policy announcement here: Greater protections for LGBTIQA+ communities under Greens plan | Australian Greens Victoria

And here’s the Greens’ wider policy regarding LGBTQIA+ issues: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Policy | Australian Greens Victoria