Queensland’s peak trans organisation has pulled out of a major Brisbane rainbow forum in protest at Child Safety Minister Amanda Stoker being given a speaking slot, as community leaders urged the state government to make good on its existing LGBTQ+ commitments.
The annual Carswell Forum was held in Brisbane on Friday 30 October, bringing together community leaders, advocates, service providers, researchers and government representatives.
Organisers Brisbane Pride and the Queensland LGBTQIA+ Alliance have since released the forum’s key takeaways for the year ahead, QNews reports.
A Forum Named For A Pioneer
The forum honours Phil Carswell, whose lifelong work for rainbow Queenslanders, human rights and social justice helped lay the groundwork for many of the gains the community enjoys today.
It is an annual chance to take stock of progress, confront remaining challenges and agree on what needs to happen next.
Turning Commitments Into Action
Participants called for the outstanding commitments in Queensland’s whole-of-government LGBTQIA+ strategy, Pride in Our Communities, to be completed, with transparent progress reporting and a properly resourced next action plan.
They also pushed for mandatory workforce training, better recording of sexuality and gender identity in health settings, and coordinated violence prevention.
“The task now is to turn commitments into action, strengthen partnerships and ensure the voices heard at forums like this lead to meaningful change,” Brisbane Pride President James McCarthy said.
Connected Challenges Across The State
The forum identified online hostility, discrimination, family and sexual violence, social isolation, housing insecurity and gaps in inclusive health, legal and aged care support as linked problems.
Older people raised concerns about transport, planning for the future and keeping their identity in residential care, while First Nations Rainbow Mob called for culturally grounded responses designed with communities.
The findings also noted that regional, rural and remote communities face distance, limited specialist services, transport barriers and confidentiality concerns, and that community-controlled organisations need secure funding to keep going.
QTrans Walks Away
QTrans, the Queensland Transgender, Gender Diverse and Non-Binary Association, had been due to take part in a Trans Pride panel on the Sex Discrimination Act. It withdrew because Stoker, who recently replaced Amanda Camm as the minister for child safety and domestic violence, was a key speaker.
QTrans President Brianna Hammond described Stoker as “toxic and queerphobic” and accused her of pushing a “MAGA style culture war against the transgender community in particular.”
“QTrans will not meekly nod our heads at a speech given by Amanda Stoker when we already know the damage this woman has done to trans youth by consistently pushing policy to deny them affirming healthcare,” Hammond said.
Criticism Of Organisers
In its statement, QTrans listed a range of the minister’s positions it objects to, including on gender-affirming care for young people, trans athletes, religious exemptions to discrimination law and abortion.
The group also criticised the Alliance and Brisbane Pride for not withdrawing the invitation originally extended to Camm once Stoker took over the portfolio.
“From where we sit, Stoker is a risk to queer kids in care of the Department,” Hammond said.
Why It Matters Here
The debate over affirming healthcare for trans young people is live on both sides of the Tasman, and rainbow communities in Aotearoa will be watching how Queensland’s government responds to the forum’s call for action.
