Everyone deserves basic human rights and respect no matter who they are, where they come from, and what they believe in. Despite living in the 21st century, marginalized groups are still deprived of rights - like the LGBTQ community. However, things are changing, especially in Australia.
Now, the Asian Pacific country is looking into urging its regional countries to push for progress regarding the rights of LGBTQ and commit to funding upcoming groups that are working to drive change in neighboring countries. If you are interested in learning more about Australia and LGBTQ rights promotion, then keep on reading.
Gotta Be Worth It/Pexels | Could Australia help the LGBTQ communities of the Asian-Pacific region?
In A Leadership Role
Sydney enjoys hosting bird pride which is a coin of 8 philanthropic and civil society groups that call on the Federal government to push for LGBTQ rights and implement it in its form policy and refrain from showing hesitation to lecture countries on their action towards the cause. There is no denying that the LGBTQ community is considered to be one of the most marginalized groups of the Asian Pacific region and even now, same-sex relationships are still considered to be illegal in places like Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Palau, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Samoa.
Australia itself is working for the rights of the LGBTQ community, a recent report was released which showcases that the country has spent $700,000 dollars only on grants for the promotion of LGBTQ rights outside of Australia in the years 2020 and 2019. While countries like Netherlands, Sweden, and Canada have spent millions of dollars on this cause, Australia leads the race in its region.
Brett/Pexels | Even today, many countries condemn same-sex relationships
In the Right Place to Make the Right Call
LGBTQ activists believe that Australia can play a major role and take an active stand in promoting rights for the LGBTQ community. One activist commented on Australian foreign policy and stated that the country has never shied away from providing development aid for the ancient Pacific countries, which subsequently puts Australia in a leadership role in some aspects.
So, why can't Australia actively push other countries to work on LGBTQ rights? The Australian foreign minister Penny Wong also belongs to the LGBT community, and many activists state that she is ideally placed to initiate change on this issue.
Hamann/Pexels | Australia needs to work on its foreign policy and incorporate the promotion of rights for the LGBTQ communities
This is why world pride, a coalition group consisting of the Asia Pacific Transgender Network, The Global Philanthropy Project, Equality Australia, and the Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network, are looking forward to the government providing specific funding of 15 million dollars annually for the local LGBTQ civil society groups in Asia Pacific region.
It also calls for appointing special envoys who would represent and advocate for LGBTQ rights. Since Australia happens to be the biggest provider of development grants and loans to the Pacific Nations, it can also influence their hostile stance towards their local LGBTQ communities.
Don't you think it is time that agent Pacific countries start prioritizing their LGBTQ community?
