A recent poll conducted by Redbridge for the advocacy group Equality Australia of 1,013 respondents has revealed that a substantial majority of Australians reject the use of LGBTQ+ topics as political tools.
The findings of the poll demonstrate that 75% of participants believe politicians should stop attempting to politicise issues related to the LGBTQ+ community. This sentiment is even more pronounced when it comes to transgender matters, with 86% of respondents expressing that such topics should not be used for political gain. Teddy Cook, the chair of the TransEquality Council, commented on the results, stating, “Australians aren’t interested in seeing trans people be used as a distraction in an election campaign. It’s been tried before in Australia and is clearly a losing strategy,” and added that focusing on the issues affecting a small segment of the population distracts from more pressing societal concerns: “Talking about gender and obsessing about a vulnerable one per cent of the population won’t help pay the bills or find a home.”
Despite LGBTQ+ rights ranking low on the priority list for voters—only three per cent of respondents identified these issues as vital to their voting decisions—there is overwhelming support for the community. The survey found that 89% of Australians believe LGBTQ+ citizens should be afforded dignity and respect, while 91% thought that trans Australians deserve the same rights and protections as other citizens. Anna Brown, Chief Executive of Equality Australia, remarked, “This polling proves that Australian values of equality and a fair go immediately come to the fore when it comes to issues affecting the vulnerable. It also proves that attacking the marginalised is not only morally wrong but politically foolish.”
The poll also highlighted a general awareness of ongoing discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people, with 64% of Australians acknowledging that such discrimination remains a reality. This understanding transcended political affiliations, with one Liberal voter stating, “Everyone should be equal and there should not be any discrimination at all.” Views on more complex matters, such as trans healthcare and sports participation, revealed that 78% supported the notion that health services should adequately treat and support trans patients.
Furthermore, the survey indicated a strong rejection of the label “too woke,” with many participants expressing frustration with the term. One Liberal voter asserted that this notion serves as a tactic to “shut down proper debate on real issues,” while a member of the LGBTQ+ community described being woke as simply indicative of being “socially aware.”
Source: Noah Wire Services