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-Rayne-Senior Contributor
Hey, I just wanted to start a thread here in case there are others struggling with all the media crap around this postal survey. Everywhere I go in the community people are finding it really hard so I thought people here must also be.
I am.
Maybe we can just make a space to take care of each other. I feel that we really need to do that right now. This atrocity is going to continue for months.
xo
In response to: LGBTI folk
Unknown userMember
In response to: Re: LGBTI folk
RossQLifeSenior Contributor
Hello all lovely folk on this thread... thanks for starting it up @-Rayne-!
It's just great to see this kind of community support that the 'postal survey' has generated - a small but powerful way we as individuals can support each other.
I'd like to echo that we at QLife are hearing similar stories to those in this thread. LGBTI people are, for very valid and clear reasons, feeling personally attacked and unsafe at times in our personal lives and space, via the media, on social media, and just in the course of leading our lives. We'd of course suggest that the LGBTI peers that make up the QLife phone and chat service are available to chat 3pm-midnight daily (1800 184 527 or qlife.org.au) - but highlight that we're facing high demand.
If you can't get through, keep trying, or contact the fine folk at the other support lines who have been briefed that we're all in this together. Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Kids Helpline, and of course SANE (among many others) are available to talk, but may not be coming from the same perspective of lived experience of being LGBTI that QLife does. For now, I'm linking to a great resource put out by the team at ACON with some handy tips for handling the commentary storm: Staying Strong During the Marriage Equality Debate
Be excellent to each other, crew!
Ross
In response to: LGBTI folk
Vanessa5Senior Contributor
Hi @RossQLife,
You make some great points and raise valid concerns.
Great advice for staying strong and being one's self.
In response to: LGBTI folk
Vanessa5Senior Contributor
In response to: Re: LGBTI folk
MoonGalSenior Contributor
Hey all just home from a two week holiday - and thorughly put back together after 18 months hard yards.
Thank you @-Rayne- for staring this thread @Former-Member for tagging me in it. I am a proud out lesbian and married my partner overseas 9 years ago.
If we have to have a 'postal survey" that is non binding on the parliament (Shhesh I could add some expletives here and do a lot of name calling if I wasn;t feeling stuffed after after a 9 hour drive today!)
MARRIAGE EQUALITY - not just for same sex couples is a human rights issue. Period.
Love. Will. Win!
In the meatime anyone struggling.... Know this. We are beautiful worthy people. We love where we will. We identify as we do. Being true to who we are is courageous. We are resilient. Ignore the haters. Love the lovers.
In response to: Re: LGBTI folk
QueenieSenior Contributor
Has anyone seen the new "No" tv adverts? They really get me down 😞
I just spent all of today trying to explain to my superannuation fund that I am in a same-sex relationship and want my partner to be my main beneficiary. I want my Will to reflect that. The Will is the easy part, but the super fund? They just weren't letting me do it. I am taking this further (to the ombudsman).
In response to: Re: LGBTI folk
MoonGalSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: LGBTI folk
MoonGalSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: LGBTI folk
MoonGalSenior Contributor
The ultra conservative heterosexists are fearful (homophobic or lesbophobic or transphobic) and want to control their world so as not to lose their power and privilege. The Patriarchy oppresses them too, they just do not know it, yet.
They can't help it. Socialisation reiterated weekly at their right wing churches and in their sphere-of-influence- bubbles keep them believing the ludicrous, false and mythological stories that would have lesbians, gay men, trans people, intersex and asexual people as abominations and 'demonised'. They are taught this from the cradle to grave Feel sorry for them, because their lives are ruled by fear and favour.
This is a personal issue politicised and in 2004 the then PM changed the Marriage act overnight to "PROTECT PRIVILEGE" and exclude equality. They do not HAVE to go to plebiscite and in fact have NOT gone to plebiscite - this is effectively JUST a postal survey and non-binding in Parliament. BUT it is important that we mobilise as many as we can including ourselves to mark the paper YES - and no other marks which renders it informal, therefore not counted) and send it in. Then rest with what we have done, if not this time, it will come. It will come. CHILE just changed their law, CHILE! so take heart and be clear - that other people are fearful, grunchy and want to deny us equality has everything to do about them and nothing to do about us. We will win eventually. hopefully this time.
I hold anyone's hand here who is struggling. Look yourself in the eye and love.
If anyone amongst us is feeling 'less than' or hurt or fearful because of the right wing propaganda - don't listen to it. Don't watch it - just mark your postal survey with YES and post it - seek out positive messaging and share it.
If family members are wanting to 'debate' and friends are wanting to discuss on the "NO" vote tell them they have all the privilege and you have none of the power and you will NOT listen to their oppressions and walk away. Hard to do - but necessary for our sanity.
Be sure of this, you are every bit as equal and worthy as anyone else.
LOVE WINS.
In response to: Re: LGBTI folk
Vanessa5Senior Contributor
Hi @MoonGal,
Yes! We are trying to talk about the recognition of equal love here. The more we acknowledge those that hate, the more they steal your energy. Just ignore the haters!
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
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