LGBTI folk

Our ballot is yet to arrive, but obviously I am voting yes. On Facebook of late I've seen so many 'friendships' divided over the issue but, I think we all need to remember what we are voting for.

@Ant7 im still learning half of these terms too. thats proably where all the confusion comes in becasue i fit in with one label but maybe not entirely then mayeb another. i dunno its confusing but i respect each to their own and jsut becasue i dont understand it doesnt mean i dont accept it.

@Queenie ive had to stop watching the news, and fb becasue i cant handle all the chat about it. i really cant. it seems to have completly divided the nation! but in 2 months time, we will soon find out what the results are

Dear @-Rayne-, I can relate.I am bleak too. Facebook is a mire of toxicity at the moment. Our lives being dissected and pawed over by grubby small minded bigots who stand and sit in church on Sundays proclaiming they follow a loving "god". Making political statements couched in religious tones. I have [purposefully linked to christians pages thta support Marriage Equality, and I do not read the naysayers comments. But - just the headlines in this terrible survey are enough to turn my rainbow world grey. I imagine for some it is unbearable. I know both Victoria and South Australian governments have put money into telephone counselling services to provide better support for those of us who are in pain because of the survey. I am glad you are looking after yourself.

Stay strong. Be you. Love, Moongal.

is anyone else here struglging with all the media surrounding the survey?

im finding even sometimes the 'in favour' stuff is getting so much. its really frsutrating that people have to fight for their rights to lvoe whoever they want

no brainer for me i voted yes but the media is getting extremely overwhelming!

I am @outlander

I deleted facebook from my phone and have stopped turning TV on at the times when I know it will be mentioned in ads or in news shows.

The no campaign reminds me of everything my family says about me and all the things I lived in fear of hearing when I was younger. The yes campaign, I also have problems with, especially the way they're responding to the messages of the no camp, in relation to trans people and trans kids.

I can't deal so I'm just avoiding. I feel a little guilty about that but nobody else is gonna keep you safe and safe but yourselves.

Well, the plebiscite has really gotten me down. I just got labelled a person who likes children by someone I thought was a friend on Facebook. All because they know about my sexuality as being lesbian. How does that make me a paedophile is beyond me! I've been getting a lot of bullying from my family (one member phoned me to make vile comments and said she was voting no to stop 'people like me'). Other people have said homosexuality is a mental illness. I am so hurt and confused. It seems no matter where I go, there is hate and intolerance being preached. I am over it all and am done!

Hi @Queenie

I am so sorry to hear that the Plebiscite has got you down. 😞 It is terrible the way your family and others are treating you - no-one deserves that! It is understandable that you are feeling hurt and confused, given what you are experiencing. I am sure people here on the forums will support you, regardless as to whether they are a part of the LGBTI community or not. We have a very supportive community here! Please continue to reach out, and if you are unsafe, please contact Lifeline or Emergency Services.

Kindest,

Amour_Et_Psyché

Sorry things are so awful at the moment, @Queenie. This ridiculous postal vote has certainly brought the real-life trolls out of the woodwork. Like @-Rayne-, I’ve had to deactivate my facebook account (which has only added to the utter sense of loneliness I was already feeling). I’m trying to stay away from all forms of media in general. That the government thinks it is okay to publicly debate whether ‘people like me’ (and you) should be afforded the same rights as others, to debate whether we are second class citizens … argh, it makes me sick. I am not coping with this at all. You are not alone, @Queenie.

The only reason I don't deactivate Facebook also is because I volunteer on a support group there. I USED to attend church (believe it or not) but have decided to never go back to that particular church after the hate they are preaching is put all over my wall and inbox. I personally think they are going against their own values (but that is another story). So many in the support group I volunteer for are being negatively affected by this postal survey. I almost contacted Qlife tonight for online chat, but decided against it because it's all got me thinking and feeling like a second class citizen. I already feel like that most days because I live on a social wage (something I hate but I cannot work, that much has been proven time and again). This just makes me feel very very low.