Michelle Ananda-Rajah (Higgins, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia is a nation with a degree of social cohesion that is the envy of the world, a place we like to think that people can live their lives authentically. And yet, in amongst the colourful, interlaced fibres of our communities, there are forces that try to marginalise and divide us along gender identity lines. As a doctor I looked after people from all walks of life. People were treated without judgement within those hospital wards, which is why I find it perplexing to encounter anti-gender-diverse sentiment in our community. It is alien to me, but sadly far too common outside those hospital wards. Transgender people, including gender-diverse and non-binary people, are a marginalised group who are far more susceptible to mental health impacts and health disparities. Gender dysphoria is a complex health issue, requiring expert multidisciplinary care.

With the introduction of our 10-year national action plan for the health and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ people, I want to assure the community that inclusion is core business for the Albanese government. We do this to ensure that everyone is able to live a healthy, productive life where they can be their true selves. Let us be champions of respect and dismantle the systemic and social barriers that encase our hearts and infect our community. Respect should be universal. Let it multiply.