I'm with all those above saying "no-brainer." The Alliance's record on diversity is 100% and more - I echo Gina's comments on intersex from trans and bi perspectives. (I disclose I was involved in organising Health in Difference 7). See further comments under the article http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/2011/01/12/health-body%e2%80%99s-cash-crisis/41704 too. Go alliance!
Stuart - 13 years ago
If this means funding to the LGBTI Health Alliance.... ABSOLUTELY !!!!
This organisation is working on ALL areas of LGBTI health, and is astonishingly efficient.
Hannah - 13 years ago
OF COURSE THEY SHOULD! The more representation, advocacy and support our community has, the better- for us and the rest of the world!
Paul - 13 years ago
OMG! Definitely a no-brainer. Other demographics have their own ministries, funding and parliamentary lobby groups... we can't even get our relationships legally recognised when most other civilised countries around that world passed the legislation years ago... Come on Aussie government you take our tax money but don't provide our community with specific support.
Jamie Gardiner - 13 years ago
I agree with Corey, Greg, and indeed all but the strange, negative, first comment. Funding for a national glbti health peak, ie the Alliance (and indeed for national glbti organizations in other areas) is a no-brainer. GLBTI people pay taxes like everybody else, but get grossly inadequate spending on our needs.
Clearly people must be confused by the question. Or are some people in Inner city Sydney so out of touch with the real world that they think that LGBTI people are being appropriatly supported by mainstream orgs around the country. Get with it people! a huge number of LGBTI people are denied fair and equal serivces by mainstream orgs. On even the most basic level of statisical collection LGBTI folk are not counted by any Human services NGO peak bodies and Gov depts. We dont get counted ... we dont exist people !!!! who are these people who voted .. no ... we have enough! .....are they the latte sipping inner city sydney queens that think .....iam right luv.. but i will bugger you !
anthony - 13 years ago
the LGBT community face some serious health issues.....some are specific......and we rate higher than the average heterosexual. Other demographics are catered for with funding .....why are our important needs being ignored. The alliance is doing a great job. it plays an important role. Come on Australian Government........get with it.
Greg - 13 years ago
I agree with Corey. Its a no-brainer, the Alliance should be funded on an ongoing basis.
Nationally we have mens and womens health strategies that address the health needs of Australians. The GLBTI Health Alliance fills the gap to promote discussion on health outcomes where health needs are aligned with people's sexual orientation or a broader gender definition than "male" and "female" can accomodate.
The only way for gay men, lesbians and transgendered individuals to have their health needs fully built within national frameworks is to have their voice heard around the table at a national level.
While many bisexual and most intersex people more fully identify or seek full inclusion within the hetersexual community, their voice is an important inclusion through the Alliance especially for people who connect with and participate within queer community and who have health needs not met through broad community health frameworks.
One of the few peak organisations that is not only Intersex inclusive b activly lobies for Intersex rights and intersex health.
Ben - 13 years ago
It should be noted that the wording of the poll may be a little misleading, without reading the article that the poll originally went with. The question is about federal funding of a national LGBTI health organisation, and the No option says 'No, we have enough'. When in fact we don't have a national LGBTI health organisation, apart from the LGBTI Health Alliance - which is not funded.
There are organisations a the state level that do some LGBT health work but the vast majority of this funding is firmly restricted to HIV work for specific groups such as gay men, and not for use in other health areas such as mental health and many other areas of need.
All priority groups are represented federally, including ministers and funding, apart from the LGBTI community.
The LGBTI Health Alliance has done fantastic work with very limited resources, and should absolutely be funded federally, so that our community is represented at a national level.
Corey - 13 years ago
what a dangerous line we cross if we start sending the message to Fed Govt that we dont want LGBT bodies funded! it should be a no brainer YES!
Jason - 13 years ago
I understood the National Alliance was more about advocacy? As most other organisations are state based we really need a National Alliance to advocate on national LGBTI issues to ensure federal funding? I think they are very important.
Alan - 13 years ago
I'm familiar with the work of the LGBTI Health Alliance. It is one of the most productive and influential LGBTI organisations I have come across given its very limited resources. Its achievements are a real credit to Executive Director Gabi Rosenstreich, Board chair Paul Martin, its board members and those who volunteer their time and expertise.
Brian - 13 years ago
Vote No and send the Gillard Government a message we don't need middle management overhead in a peak body til they can prove their benefit.
I'm with all those above saying "no-brainer." The Alliance's record on diversity is 100% and more - I echo Gina's comments on intersex from trans and bi perspectives. (I disclose I was involved in organising Health in Difference 7). See further comments under the article http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/2011/01/12/health-body%e2%80%99s-cash-crisis/41704 too. Go alliance!
If this means funding to the LGBTI Health Alliance.... ABSOLUTELY !!!!
This organisation is working on ALL areas of LGBTI health, and is astonishingly efficient.
OF COURSE THEY SHOULD! The more representation, advocacy and support our community has, the better- for us and the rest of the world!
OMG! Definitely a no-brainer. Other demographics have their own ministries, funding and parliamentary lobby groups... we can't even get our relationships legally recognised when most other civilised countries around that world passed the legislation years ago... Come on Aussie government you take our tax money but don't provide our community with specific support.
I agree with Corey, Greg, and indeed all but the strange, negative, first comment. Funding for a national glbti health peak, ie the Alliance (and indeed for national glbti organizations in other areas) is a no-brainer. GLBTI people pay taxes like everybody else, but get grossly inadequate spending on our needs.
Clearly people must be confused by the question. Or are some people in Inner city Sydney so out of touch with the real world that they think that LGBTI people are being appropriatly supported by mainstream orgs around the country. Get with it people! a huge number of LGBTI people are denied fair and equal serivces by mainstream orgs. On even the most basic level of statisical collection LGBTI folk are not counted by any Human services NGO peak bodies and Gov depts. We dont get counted ... we dont exist people !!!! who are these people who voted .. no ... we have enough! .....are they the latte sipping inner city sydney queens that think .....iam right luv.. but i will bugger you !
the LGBT community face some serious health issues.....some are specific......and we rate higher than the average heterosexual. Other demographics are catered for with funding .....why are our important needs being ignored. The alliance is doing a great job. it plays an important role. Come on Australian Government........get with it.
I agree with Corey. Its a no-brainer, the Alliance should be funded on an ongoing basis.
Nationally we have mens and womens health strategies that address the health needs of Australians. The GLBTI Health Alliance fills the gap to promote discussion on health outcomes where health needs are aligned with people's sexual orientation or a broader gender definition than "male" and "female" can accomodate.
The only way for gay men, lesbians and transgendered individuals to have their health needs fully built within national frameworks is to have their voice heard around the table at a national level.
While many bisexual and most intersex people more fully identify or seek full inclusion within the hetersexual community, their voice is an important inclusion through the Alliance especially for people who connect with and participate within queer community and who have health needs not met through broad community health frameworks.
One of the few peak organisations that is not only Intersex inclusive b activly lobies for Intersex rights and intersex health.
It should be noted that the wording of the poll may be a little misleading, without reading the article that the poll originally went with. The question is about federal funding of a national LGBTI health organisation, and the No option says 'No, we have enough'. When in fact we don't have a national LGBTI health organisation, apart from the LGBTI Health Alliance - which is not funded.
There are organisations a the state level that do some LGBT health work but the vast majority of this funding is firmly restricted to HIV work for specific groups such as gay men, and not for use in other health areas such as mental health and many other areas of need.
All priority groups are represented federally, including ministers and funding, apart from the LGBTI community.
The LGBTI Health Alliance has done fantastic work with very limited resources, and should absolutely be funded federally, so that our community is represented at a national level.
what a dangerous line we cross if we start sending the message to Fed Govt that we dont want LGBT bodies funded! it should be a no brainer YES!
I understood the National Alliance was more about advocacy? As most other organisations are state based we really need a National Alliance to advocate on national LGBTI issues to ensure federal funding? I think they are very important.
I'm familiar with the work of the LGBTI Health Alliance. It is one of the most productive and influential LGBTI organisations I have come across given its very limited resources. Its achievements are a real credit to Executive Director Gabi Rosenstreich, Board chair Paul Martin, its board members and those who volunteer their time and expertise.
Vote No and send the Gillard Government a message we don't need middle management overhead in a peak body til they can prove their benefit.