Victorian State Election – Aleph Melbourne

Candidate statement: Simon Gnieslaw – Independent for Bentleigh

The following political statement has been supplied by Simon Gnieslaw who is running as a candidate for Bentleigh 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.

Letter-to-ALEPH-Jewish-LGBTIQA-group

[PDF]

Candidate statement: Wesa Chau – Labor for Prahran

The following political statement has been supplied by Wesa Chau who is running as a candidate for Prahran 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,

I refer you to our Victorian Labor Policy and Strategy document which clearly outlines both our beliefs and plan for our future in support of our LGBTIQ+ communities, with which I fully agree:

www.vic.gov.au/pride-our-future-victorias-lgbtiq-strategy-2022-32

Warm regards,
Wesa Chau

Candidate statement: Darren Natale – Labor for Malvern

The following political statement has been supplied by Darren Natale who is running as a candidate for Malvern 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.

I believe everyone has the right to be who they are, and live life without fear of discrimination or vilification.

As a proud member of the queer community, it’s so important that any organisation I’m involved in – in the community, in business, or in politics – is inclusive to all.

Labor has taken great strides towards equality for LGBTQI+ identifying people in Victoria, introducing the Safe Schools program and banning ‘conversion therapy’.

Dan Andrews actively walks the talk, as powerfully symbolised in 2015, when he became the first Victorian Premier to march at the Midsumma Pride March.

But with the Liberals already talking about loosening discrimination law to fire or not hire LGBTQI+ staff, we can’t stop now.

I’m dedicated to continuing the fight for the safety, freedom and equality of all LGBTQI+ people in Victoria, and supporting great organisations like Aleph, who do amazing work to advocate for our voices to be heard.

Candidate statement: Faith Fuhrer – Animal Justice Party for Hawthorn

The following political statement has been supplied by Faith Fuhrer who is running as a candidate for Hawthorn 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 your email and the opportunity to submit my official stance on the LGBTQIA+ community.

The core values of the Animal Justice Party are kindness, equality, rationality and non-violence. At the heart of this is the creation of safe spaces for all human and non-human animals.

My personal values are unconditionally the same. I will support and prioritise the LGBTQIA+ youth voice if elected, and work to ensure that the incredible diversity of humankind is protected and celebrated (as well as that of animalkind!). I assert that more LGBTQIA+ safe spaces are needed throughout Victoria, including in the District of Hawthorn.

Advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community is also a priority for our current MP, Andy Meddick. We do recognise that there’s more work to be done, and the Animal Justice Party asserts that:

Gender and sexuality equality is a fundamental human right and that the health, safety and wellbeing of women, girls and gender-diverse people is 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 any type 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.

Sincerely,
Faith Fuhrer
Hawthorn Candidate
Animal Justice Party

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

MEDIA RELEASE
13 NOVEMBER 2022

ALEPH MELBOURNE LAUNCHES 2022 VICTORIAN STATE ELECTION VOTERS GUIDE FOR LGBTIQ+ EQUALITY

Aleph Melbourne is proud to announce its 2022 Victorian State Election Voters Guide for LGBTIQ+ Equality.

The Voters Guide is designed to inform voters who want to select candidates who have comprehensively demonstrated or pledged support for LGBTIQA+ 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. The selected districts are Albert Park, Bentleigh, Brighton, Caulfield, Clarinda, Hawthorn, Malvern, Oakleigh and Prahran.

LINKS

KEY FEATURES

Individual candidate statements indicating commitment to LGBTIQ+ issues
Indicators advising whether a candidate is LGBTIQ+, an ally, or opposed to LGBTIQ+ equality
Indicators advising whether a candidate is Jewish, or is perceived to hold antisemitic views
Links to candidate/party platform/policies on LGBTIQ+ issues
Links to How To Vote cards (available from November 18)

We encourage voters to locate their voting district, review their candidates’ levels of support for LGBTIQ+ issues and vote in a manner that prioritises LGBTIQ+ equality.

HISTORY

This guide is the seventh in our series of election guides since 2013:

MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Barnett | 0417-595-541 | contact@aleph.org.au

ENDS

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

ALEPH MELBOURNE
VOTERS GUIDE TO LGBTIQ+ EQUALITY
VICTORIAN 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.

Aleph Melbourne – 2022 State Election Guide

Albert Park Bentleigh Brighton Caulfield Clarinda Hawthorn Malvern Oakleigh Prahran

Albert Park District

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
DRAGWIDGE Georgie	Independent	(not stated)
TAYLOR Nina	Australian Labor Party	ALLY
SAMIOTIS Kim	The Australian Greens	ALLY
ANTUNOVIC Elizabeth	Freedom Party Victoria
BRADEA Viorel	Family First Victoria
SHERSON Lauren	Liberal	ALLY
SMART Lance	Liberal Democrats	(not stated)
WESTWOOD Cassandra	Animal Justice Party	ALLY

Bentleigh District

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
GNIESLAW Simon	Independent	ALLY
STAIKOS Nick(incumbent)	Australian Labor Party	(not stated)
GALLI-MCROSTIE Alana	The Australian Greens	ALLY
HARRIS David	Animal Justice Party	ALLY
RYAN Paul	Family First Victoria
TAYLOR-HAYNES Debbie	Liberal	(not stated)

Brighton District

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
TIMMS Allan	Independent	(not stated)
SCIOLA Nick	Family First Victoria
DEKIERE Sarah	The Australian Greens	ALLY
GIBSON Sally	Independent	ALLY
FREDERICO Felicity	Independent	ALLY
WALKER Alicia	Animal Justice Party	ALLY
NEWBURY James (incumbent)	Liberal	ALLY
CRAWFORD Louise	Australian Labor Party	ALLY
CASLEY John Tiger	Independent

Caulfield District

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
KALTMANN Nomi	Independent	ALLY
EDWELL Lynne	Family First Victoria
IAMPOLSKI Rachel	The Australian Greens
MYERSON Asher	Animal Justice Party	ALLY
SOUTHWICK David(incumbent)	Liberal	ALLY
HAREL Lior	Australian Labor Party	ALLY
ABELMAN Michael	Liberal Democrats	(not stated)

Clarinda District

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
WHITE Caroline	Independent
HASTINGS Karen	Family First Victoria
WOLFE Steve	Freedom Party Victoria
VO Hung	Independent
TAK Meng Heang (incumbent)	Australian Labor Party	ALLY
RICHARDSON Anthony	Liberal	(not stated)
MOFFETT Jessamine	The Australian Greens
LITCHFIELD Sue	Animal Justice Party	ALLY

Hawthorn District

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
FUHRER Faith	Animal Justice Party	ALLY
KENNEDY John (incumbent)	Australian Labor Party	ALLY
TRIANTAFILLIS Ken	Family First Victoria
PEPPARD Richard	Liberal Democrats	(not stated)
LOWE Melissa	Independent	ALLY
SAVAGE Nick	The Australian Greens	ALLY
PESUTTO John	Liberal	ALLY
BELL Stratton	Democratic Labour Party

Malvern District

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
NATOLI Amelia	Animal Justice Party	ALLY
NATALE Darren	Australian Labor Party
O’BRIEN Michael (incumbent)	Liberal	ALLY
STEFANOPOULOS Steve	Independent
SCHMIDT Judy	Family First Victoria
FULLER Mitchell	The Australian Greens	ALLY

Oakleigh District

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
MURPHY Dominique	Independent
DIMOPOULOS Steve (incumbent)	Australian Labor Party
SOK Edward	Family First Victoria
GRIVOKOSTOPOULOS Jim	Liberal	(not stated)
KIOUPELIS Parashos	Independent
HSIEH Hsiang-Han	The Australian Greens
FABB Loraine	Animal Justice Party	ALLY
JACOBS Tony	Freedom Party Victoria

Prahran District

Candidate (in ballot order)	Party	LGBTIQA+
LE HURAY Alice	Animal Justice Party	ALLY
LUCAS Matthew	Liberal	ALLY
CHAU Wesa	Australian Labor Party	ALLY
MENADUE Alan	Independent	ALLY
HIBBINS Sam (incumbent)	The Australian Greens	ALLY
EMILSEN Ronald	Family First Victoria

Candidate statement: Steve Stefanopoulos OAM – Independent for Malvern

The following political statement has been supplied by Steve Stefanopoulos who is running as a candidate for Malvern 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

I was Australia’s first same sex married Mayor at the City of Stonnington from 2017-2020. I am the Chair of The Pride Fund and heavily involved with the Victorian Pride Centre. I hope this clearly outlines my support for the LGBTIQ+ community.

Kind regards

Steve Stefanopoulos OAM

Candidate statement: Kim Samiotis – Greens candidate for Albert Park

The following political statement has been supplied by Kim Samiotis who is running as a candidate for Albert Park 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.

Kim Samiotis
Candidate for Albert Park

My name is Kim Samiotis (pronouns: she/her) and I’m The Greens candidate for Albert Park.

Thank you to Aleph and your community for the opportunity to make my commitment to LGBTIQA+ people in Melbourne’s Jewish community.

The LGBTIQA+ community has been my family since I was born. One of the longest, most stable and loving relationships in my life has been my aunts’ who finally married this year after celebrating their 40th anniversary. I was a teenager when my Mum came out and I witnessed the incredible courage that the community must summon to define their identity in our community. For me, these relationships have always been so normal and healthy and I will always fight for recognition, support and inclusion for queer and gender-diverse people. Who we love, how we identify and the shape of our physical form do not define the goodness of a person.

I am proud to be a member of the Victorian Greens, a party that has always stood with the LGBTIQA+ community across our state. We have fought hard for equal rights and safety for all and I remain committed to continuing the journey towards true equality alongside my LGBTIQA+ colleagues, friends and family.

To begin the next steps of this advocacy, The Victorian Greens have launched our Rainbow State Action Plan to further strengthen our equal opportunity and anti-vilification laws. We will make vilification and public harassment a crime to better protect marginalised Victorians from all minorities and to support victims of hate crimes.

We’ve included a Rainbow State Fund of $200 million over the next term for community-controlled organisations to facilitate their focus on key areas of need such as mental health, youth services, homelessness and sexual health.

We will work to ban deferrable medical interventions on intersex children and continue to work with the LGBTIQA+ community to identify the next essential areas for reform, including adoption, assisted reproductive treatment and surrogacy, to make sure that our laws protect everyone. 33% of LGBTIQA+ people report experiencing anxiety in the last 12 months and 57% report experiencing high distress in the last 4 weeks. Community connection and dependable support can aid these people when they’re most in need.

You can read more about the details and funding for our Rainbow State Action Plan here:

greens.org.au/vic/rainbowstateplan

We are all more alike than those who peddle fear and hate would allow us to believe. Everyone deserves to feel safe from discrimination in their daily lives and to be able to access support and services that meet their needs.

To Aleph members, the Jewish community, and LGBTIQA+ communities across Victoria, The Greens stand with you and I will work tirelessly to represent you in parliament if elected to represent Albert Park at this coming election. No matter what, I will always be by your side, marching, speaking and advocating on your behalf with the love and care that I feel for my own family.

Thank you, Aleph, for your support and may your community advocacy continue with great success.

Kim Samiotis
Greens Candidate for Albert Park

Aleph-statement-Kim-Samiotis-Greens-for-Albert-Park

[PDF]

Candidate statement: Melissa Lowe – Independent for Hawthorn

The following political statement has been supplied by Melissa Lowe who is running as a candidate for Hawthorn 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.

As the former Manager of Student Equity at Swinburne University, I’ve seen firsthand the economic, social and health consequences of discrimination.

Discrimination damages mental health and denies people the economic and social opportunities to fulfill their full potential. It forces good people to live in hiding – simply due to who they are, or who they love.

I am aghast at the proposal by the Liberal Party to amend the Equal Opportunity Act to re-legalise discrimination against people on grounds of gender or sexuality. It’s time that we see the end of division and discrimination as an election strategy.

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