Rainbow South Coast recognises the importance of protecting people from discrimination on the basis of their religious belief or activity and supports efforts to strengthen these protections at a national level. At the same time, we acknowledge that previous and proposed religious discrimination legislation in Australia has raised significant concerns about how to balance rights, particularly where protections for religious belief may conflict with existing protections for LGBTQIA+ people and other communities. Ongoing reform must ensure that new laws do not inadvertently weaken hard-won protections or enable discrimination under the guise of religious freedom.
We believe that everyone deserves to live free from discrimination, and that equity requires legislation to uphold the rights of all people equally. This includes ensuring that LGBTQIA+ individuals are protected in settings such as employment, education and healthcare, without exception. Evidence from recent policy reviews highlights the need to remove or narrow exemptions that allow discrimination against LGBTQIA+ students and staff, while still respecting the role of faith-based communities. Rainbow South Coast stands for an approach that brings communities together, one that respects freedom of belief while safeguarding the dignity, safety and inclusion of all

Rainbow South Coast affirms that access to gender affirming care is a fundamental component of health, wellbeing and human rights for trans, gender diverse and intersex people. This care may include social, medical and psychological support, and is evidence based and widely recognised as essential to improving mental health, reducing distress and supporting people to live authentically.
We recognise that intersex people have distinct experiences and needs in relation to bodily autonomy and healthcare. This includes the right to make informed, consent based decisions about medical interventions and to access care that is respectful, person centred and free from harm.
Barriers to accessing gender affirming and intersex affirming care, particularly in regional communities, can have profound impacts. These barriers contribute to isolation, poorer health outcomes and increased risk of harm. Ensuring equitable, timely and culturally safe access to appropriate care is critical to achieving true equity for trans, gender diverse and intersex communities.
We also acknowledge that the rights of trans, gender diverse and intersex people are increasingly subject to public debate and policy attention. It is essential that these discussions centre the lived experience and expertise of those directly impacted and are grounded in evidence. Everyone deserves dignity, autonomy and the ability to make informed decisions about their body and identity.
Rainbow South Coast stands in solidarity with trans, gender diverse and intersex communities, advocating for inclusive healthcare systems, strong legal protections, and communities where all people are safe, respected and able to thrive.

​Rainbow South Coast welcomes the introduction of the Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024 in New South Wales, which came into force in April 2025 and makes it unlawful to engage in practices aimed at changing or suppressing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This legislation represents an important step toward recognising and preventing the significant harm caused by so-called “conversion practices”, which have long been linked to trauma, poor mental health outcomes and lasting impacts on LGBTQIA+ people.
We also recognise that effective implementation of these reforms will require ongoing community education, survivor-centred support and a balanced approach that protects freedom of belief while clearly prohibiting harm. The legislation explicitly allows for supportive conversations, identity exploration and evidence-based healthcare, while drawing a clear line against sustained efforts to change or suppress who someone is. Rainbow South Coast stands with survivors and advocates who have called for these protections for many years, and we remain committed to ensuring that all people, including those in regional communities, are safe from harmful practices and able to live with dignity, affirmation and respect.

#CountUsIn 

Rainbow South Coast proudly supports the Count Us In campaign for the Australian Census. Inclusive and accurate data is essential to ensuring LGBTQIA+ communities are visible, understood, and meaningfully supported. The 2026 Census marks an important step forward, with the introduction of new questions on sexual orientation, gender, and sex recorded at birth for people aged 16 and over, enabling, for the first time, a clearer national picture of LGBTQIA+ communities.  However, while these additions represent significant progress, intersex people, those with innate variations of sex characteristics, remain excluded from this data collection. We call on the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Federal Government to commit to including intersex variations in the next Census review so that no part of our community remains invisible.
We know that visibility drives change, and being counted helps ensure resources are directed where they are most needed, particularly in regional communities like the South Coast. At the same time, trust matters. Census inclusion must be supported by strong privacy protections and culturally safe approaches, shaped in partnership with LGBTQIA+ communities, including First Nations people. Rainbow South Coast stands with organisations across Australia calling for a Census that reflects the full diversity of our communities, including intersex people. Because when we are counted, we count.

Rainbow South Coast affirms that LGBTQIA+ people have the right to form families, including through fertility treatments and surrogacy, and recognises the important progress made through New South Wales legislation. Under the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2007 and the Surrogacy Act 2010, LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples can access IVF and assisted reproductive treatments and pursue altruistic surrogacy with clear pathways to legal parentage. We celebrate the leadership of organisations such as Rainbow Families Australia, who highlight that LGBTQIA+ families are formed in many ways, including donor conception, surrogacy, adoption and co‑parenting, and that every family deserves recognition, support and protection under the law.
At the same time, there is a strong opportunity to build on this progress. LGBTQIA+ communities continue to navigate inconsistent access to Medicare rebates and processes that do not always reflect diverse pathways to parenthood, which can create additional financial and emotional impacts. While recent reforms have expanded access to subsidised IVF, further work is needed to ensure equitable access across all pathways, including surrogacy, where costs remain largely excluded and regulatory requirements can be complex. We recognise that surrogacy, when well regulated, is a safe, ethical and affirming pathway to parenthood for many in our communities. Rainbow South Coast supports continued reform to strengthen equity, affordability and inclusion, ensuring all LGBTQIA+ people can build families with dignity, recognition and support.

​Rainbow South Coast affirms that freedom from discrimination, harassment and vilification is fundamental to safety, wellbeing and human rights, and must be actively upheld across all areas of society. In New South Wales, these rights are protected under legislation including the Anti Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), which makes it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of characteristics such as sex, sexuality, gender identity, intersex status, race and disability, and provides protections against vilification. These legal protections are essential, but must be consistently applied, enforced and strengthened to ensure meaningful impact.
Recent strengthening of hate crime protections reinforces the urgent need for coordinated action to prevent harm and ensure accountability across all settings. Rainbow South Coast advocates for inclusive, safe and equitable environments across workplaces, education, health and community services, and religious institutions. This includes actively preventing discrimination, harassment and vilification, addressing systemic barriers, and ensuring equitable access to opportunities, facilities and support. We recognise that discrimination operates both systemically and interpersonally, and that legal protections alone establish only a minimum standard. Achieving equity requires sustained, proactive effort to embed inclusion in policy, practice and culture. This includes culturally safe approaches, inclusive and responsive service delivery, and visible leadership that promotes equity, belonging and respect.
We emphasise the importance of centring lived experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of laws, policies and services, ensuring responses are evidence based and reflect the realities of those most impacted.
Rainbow South Coast stands in solidarity with the LGBTIQA+ community who are impacted by discrimination and violence, and advocates for strengthened legal protections, clear accountability, and proactive measures to prevent harm. We call on all institutions to uphold their responsibilities in creating inclusive environments where all people are safe, respected, valued and able to thrive.