Geneva’s International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, And Intersex Association (ILGA) has released a report called State Sponsored Homophobia 2016.
The report is presented as a colourful map and displays each nation’s contribution to ensure that there are relevant global laws relating to sexual orientation.
The report showed that Australia ranks highly when it comes to certain LGBT rights, including employment protection and anti-discrimination laws that cover education and healthcare. However, it also confirmed how far behind Australia is in recognising queer relationships.
The report’s author Aengus Carroll said, “In terms of relationships, Australia is not too hot compared to [New Zealand]. Relationship recognition is uneven throughout Australia.”
Australia appears in a light yellow colour on the map, meaning that the recognition of same-sex unions in the country is considered “clearly inferior substitute to marriage.” Carroll said this means the legislation is “very weak” and “hardly protects” LGBTIQ people.
While the majority of Australians are in favour of marriage equality being passed, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is continuing to stick with the plan to hold a controversial plebiscite on the issue.