LGBTQ rights in Victoria | |
---|---|
Status | Always legal for women; Decriminalised for men in 1981 Equal age of consent since 1991 |
Gender identity | By self-determination legally since 2020[1] |
Discrimination protections | Yes (both state and federal law) |
Family rights | |
Recognition of relationships | Same-sex marriage legally recognised since 2017 Domestic partnership registries since 2008 |
Adoption | Adoption is legal for all same-sex couples |
The Australian state of Victoria is regarded as one of the country's most progressive jurisdictions with respect to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people.[2][3][4][5][6] Victoria is the only state in Australia, that has implemented a LGBTIQA+ Commissioner.[7]
R. Allen, Victorian Gender and Sexuality Commissioner: Every time somebody calls our families 'Gay propaganda' and says we are 'Not normal' it's a step backwards...I'm just glad Victoria is more progressive and [Victorian Premier] Daniel Andrews took a strong stance in support of [the film Gayby Baby] and of LGBTI families.
Sunny Sydneysiders might consider themselves much more open-minded and free thinking than their archetypal black-clad Melbourne cousins. But taking the political temperature of the two states shows that supposedly dour Victorians are loosening their corsets and becoming much more progressive.
Jeff Kennett, for all his bluster... now spends some of his days campaigning against discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.... Most Australians support gay marriage, but nowhere more strongly than in Victoria.
Interest groups that have lobbied for years on gender and LGBTI issues in particular are finding a receptive government determined to make big leaps, to change the culture in fundamental ways.... Earlier this year, Andrews scoffed at the national fuss over the Safe Schools program that aims to ensure a safe environment for LGBTI students and, again, get students thinking about stereotypes and discrimination.