To mark their 13 year relationship with Sydney Mardi Gras, ANZ commissioned research on inclusion across Australia.
Despite the fabulousness oozing through the city at the moment, about half a million (1 in 4) in the LGBTIQ+ community are said to still not be comfortable being their true selves and discussing their sexuality and gender identity with their loved ones or friends. In a sense, the measurable success post equality was of course the ‘permission’ or ‘validation’ to marry, but for too long, many charities, support programs, learning resources relied so heavily on mythical estimations to justify funding tenders. With the inclusion into the recent ABS census, we now have a definitive number and data on same-sex married couples. More and more, as it moves into the ‘you’re ok’ and ‘not so controversial’ pile, the scope of research widens and becomes more sophisticated to better quantify issues, information and needs that were impossible 13 years ago.
Key research findings:
- 84% of LGBTIQ+ community members believe there are still parts of Australia where it is unsafe to be LGBTIQ+. And 68% of non- LGBTIQ+ think so too.
- 68% of Aussies support efforts to improve LGBTI equality, LGBTIQ+ community members are still twice as likely to experience some form of harassment, discrimination or open prejudice because of their sexual orientation.
- 52% of LGBTIQ+ community members would not open up about their sexuality with their manager at work.
“Being open about your whole identity is something that all Australians should be comfortable doing, and yet our research shows that this is not the case.” said ANZ’s Group Executive Australia, Mark Hand, who is also Chair of ANZ’s Diversity Council, “At ANZ we believe that the same pride and inclusion experienced at the nation’s largest LGBTIQ+ celebration on Oxford St in Sydney, belongs on all streets and in all communities,”
This year ANZ is bringing a little bit of Mardi Gras and all that it represents to different parts of Australia. Seven sculptures have been installed across the country, transforming Oxford St signs into beautiful works of art. These are designed to be signposts of an equal future and inclusivity for the LGBTIQ+ community.
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO, Terese Casu said: “ANZ has been a long-time supporter of Mardi Gras and we’re thrilled that they share our vision of LGBTIQ+ inclusion across the country. We hope the installations serve as a reminder that individuality is worth celebrating and that they prompt conversation around LGBTIQ+ inclusion in a range of different communities.”
Oxford street sign titles and locations (as pictured in feature image):
-
New South Wales (metro) – ‘Signs of Love’, Bondi Park, Campbell Parade, Bondi.
-
New South Wales (regional) – ‘Eternal Flame’, Oxford St (cnr Bourne Cl), Mittagong
-
Victoria – ‘Coming Out’, Oxford St (cnr Battery Rd), Deep Lead
-
Queensland – ‘Pink FlaminGo-Go’, Oxford St (cnr Talford Street), Rockhampton
-
Tasmania – ‘Love is Love’, Oxford St (cnr Abbott St), East Launceston
-
Western Australia – ‘I’m Spinning Around’, Oxford St (Austral Pde), East Bunbury
-
South Australia – ‘Turn the Party’, Port Pirie Regional Tourism and Arts Centre
-
Northern Territory – ‘We’re Not in Sydney Toto’, Oxford Rd (cnr Cox Peninsula Rd), Berry Springs
YouGov Key Research Findings:
-
One in three Australians (29%) believe that discrimination near where they live is not rare (LGBTIQ+: 38%, Heterosexual: 28%)
-
Most LGBTIQ+ people (55%) would not open up about their sexuality in a rural town or community
-
Among heterosexuals who have no family or close friends that identify as LGBTIQ+, just over half support efforts to increase equality (56%), but this rises to over three quarters (77%) with two or more LGBTIQ+ friends
-
More than half (52%) of LGBTIQ+ people would not open up about their sexuality with their manager at work
-
Almost half (41%) of LGBTIQ+ people would not open up about their sexuality in a place of education, like a school or university
For those unable to visit one of the seven Oxford Streets, these can be viewed on Google Street View from Wednesday 27 February for a 360 look at the signs across the country.
One more week before the parade there’s lots happening around the city this Mardi Gras season – check it out here!