LGBTIQ+ people in Australia

{{short description|none}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}  {{Update|date=October 2024|reason=Census, polls, and opinions from before the 2017 should be updated or revised}}

Australia is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world.<ref name=globalpost>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/politics/130607/the-20-most-and-least-gay-friendly-countries-the-world|title=The 20 most and least gay-friendly countries in the world|work=Global Post|accessdate=16 May 2014|date=26 June 2013}}</ref> In a 2019 Pew Research poll, 81% of Australians agreed that homosexuality should be accepted by society, making it the eighth most supportive country in the survey behind [[Sweden]] (94%, most supportive country), [[Germany]], [[France]], [[United Kingdom|UK]] (all 86%), and [[Canada]] (85%).<ref name="pewpoll">{{cite web|url=http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality/ |title=The Global Divide on Homosexuality |date=4 June 2013 |publisher=[[Pew Research]]|accessdate=16 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=globalpost/> With a long history of [[LGBT rights in Australia|LGBTQ rights]] activism and an annual three-week-long [[Mardi Gras]] festival, [[Sydney]] is considered one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world.<ref name="The Independent">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/love-sex/taboo-tolerance/the-ten-best-places-in-the-world-to-be-gay-932557.html?action=gallery&ino=2|title=Sydney Things have changed enormously since the first Mardi Gras march was|work=The Independent|date=16 September 2008 |accessdate=26 July 2015}}</ref>

== Terminology == {{further|Intersex and LGBT}} More inclusive terms such as ''LGBTQ'' or ''LGBTI'' are increasingly used in Australia, rather than just ''LGBT'', with the '''Q''' denoting [[queer]] people and the '''I''' denoting [[intersex]] people.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Thelwall |first1=Mike |last2=Devonport |first2=Tracey Jayne |last3=Makita |first3=Meiko |last4=Russell |first4=Kate |last5=Ferguson |first5=Lois |date=2022-04-27 |title=Academic LGBTQ+ Terminology 1900-2021: Increasing Variety, Increasing Inclusivity? |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2022.2070446 |journal=Journal of Homosexuality |volume=70 |issue=11 |pages=2514–2538 |doi=10.1080/00918369.2022.2070446 |pmid=35475685 |issn=0091-8369|hdl=2436/624728 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Organisations that include intersex people as well as LGBT people include the [[National LGBTI Health Alliance]] and community media.<ref>[http://www.starobserver.com.au/ Star Observer], a community newspaper with the [[Advertising slogan|strapline]] "Australia's most respected LGBTI news source", retrieved 18 April 2014</ref><ref name="watch-2014">[http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/feature/lgbti-people-to-watch-in-2014-12633.html LGBTI people to watch in 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103115520/http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/feature/lgbti-people-to-watch-in-2014-12633.html |date=3 January 2014 }}, Gay News Network, 1 January 2014.</ref> Also used are the terms ''LGBTQI''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mardigras.org.au/homepage/about/ |title=About | Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras |accessdate=2014-06-08 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607044415/http://www.mardigras.org.au/homepage/about/ |archivedate= 7 June 2014 }}</ref> and ''LGBTQIA'', with the '''A''' denoting asexual people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aussietheatre.com.au/features/sydney-mardi-gras-festival-picks-2014/page/29|title=Sydney Mardi Gras Festival – Our Picks for 2014|publisher=Aussie Theatre|accessdate=8 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714195214/http://aussietheatre.com.au/features/sydney-mardi-gras-festival-picks-2014/page/29|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lgbtihealth.org.au/lgbtiqap-mental-health-professionals-network-transformative-practice/|title=LGBTIQAP+ Mental Health Professionals Network Transformative Practice|date=2016-04-05|website=National LGBTI Health Alliance|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-11|archive-date=28 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428045411/https://lgbtihealth.org.au/lgbtiqap-mental-health-professionals-network-transformative-practice/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Demographics== [[Image:Percentage of couples that are same-sex in Australia.jpg|thumb|Percentages of same-sex couples according to the Census of Population and housing]]

In 2014, over half a million people or 3.0% of the adult population identified as gay, lesbian, or "other". This included 268,000 people who identified as gay or lesbian and 255,000 people who identified as having an "other" sexual orientation.<ref>{{cite web|title=4159.0 - General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2014|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4159.0|publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics|date=29 June 2015}}</ref>

===Same-sex couples=== In 2011, same-sex couples accounted for 0.7% of the total number of couples. It increased to 0.9% in the 2016 Census. In 2016, there were 23,700 male same-sex couples and 23,000 female same-sex couples. The pattern of more male than female same-sex couples has been consistent since 1996, although the degree of difference has decreased in each census, more significantly in the 2016 Census.<ref name="2016census">{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/2071.0~2016~Main%20Features~Same-Sex%20Couples~85|title=2071.0 - Census of Population and Housing: Reflecting Australia - Stories from the Census, 2016|publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics|date=18 January 2018}}</ref>

In 2016, same-sex couples accounted for 1.4% of all couples in the Australian Capital Territory, the highest proportion of any state or territory. However, only 2.6% of all same-sex couples in Australia lived in the [[Australian Capital Territory]]. The next highest proportions were in New South Wales and Victoria, where same-sex couples accounted for 1.0% of all couples. Almost two-thirds (63%) of same-sex couples lived in New South Wales (35.8%) or Victoria (27.1%), whereas only 0.8% lived in the [[Northern Territory]] and 1.8% in [[Tasmania]].<ref name="2016census"/>

The 2016 Census noted that [[Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people]] are more likely to live with a same-sex partner than non-Indigenous people. About 1.2% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people lived with a same-sex partner, while that of non-Indigenous people was 0.9%.<ref name="2016census"/>

===Children growing up in same-sex families=== The 2011 Australian Census counted 6,300 children living in same-sex families, up from 3,400 in 2001, making up one in a thousand of all children in couple families (0.1%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features10July+2013|title=4102.0 - Australian Social Trends, July 2013|publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics|date=25 July 2013}}</ref> In 2016, it increased to 10,500 children, accounting for 0.2% of all children in families.<ref name="2016census"/>

===Income of same-sex couples=== Individuals in same-sex relationships were more likely to have higher personal incomes than those in opposite-sex relationships. In 2016, 23% of men in same-sex relationships earned $2,000 or more a week, compared with 18% of men in opposite-sex relationships. For women, the difference was greater. Women in same-sex relationships were twice as likely to be earning $2,000 or more a week as women in opposite-sex relationships (14% compared with 6%).<ref name="2016census"/>

==== Wage gap ==== {{excerpt|Gay wage gap|Australia}}

===Religious affiliation=== A 2008 study of LGBTQ Australians found that 35% were raised Protestant, 30% raised Catholic and 29% raised irreligious.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://tapri.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/v16n1_1couchothers.pdf |title=The religious affiliation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex Australians: a report from the Private Lives Survey |last1=Couch |first1=Murray |last2=Mulcare |first2=Hunter |last3=Pitts |first3=Marian |last4=Smith |first4=Anthony |last5=Mitchell |first5=Anne |journal=People and Place |volume=16 |issue=1 |date=2008 |pages=1-11 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331164901/https://tapri.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/v16n1_1couchothers.pdf |archive-date=March 31, 2016}}</ref>

According to the 2016 Census, LGBTQ people were most likely to report they had no religion (57%). However, 32% said they were Christian. This was in contrast to heterosexual people, for whom Christianity was the leading affiliation (59%) followed by not having a religion (28%). Same-sex partners were more likely to be affiliated with Buddhism than those in opposite-sex relationships (3.9% compared to 2.7%) and less likely to be affiliated with Hinduism (0.5% compared with 2.4%) or Islam (0.7% compared with 2.4%).<ref name="2016census"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- " ! Religion !! Percent of same-sex couples affiliated |- | [[Irreligion|No religion]] || 57% |- | [[Christianity]] || 32% |- | [[Buddhism]] || 3.9% |- | [[Islam]] || 0.7% |- | [[Hinduism]] || 0.5% |- | Not Stated || 5.9% |}

==History== {{main|LGBT history in Australia }} Queer Indigenous Australian history is little-known, with limited evidence of formal structures or roles except in the [[Tiwi Islands]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Findlay |first1=James |title=What do we know about queer Indigenous history? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/the-hook-up/indigenousqueer/9815712 |accessdate=10 August 2020 |work=triple j |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=30 May 2018 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Rights== {{main|LGBTQ rights in Australia}}

As a federation, Australia's [[states and territories of Australia|states and territories]] are responsible for many laws affecting [[Intersex and LGBT|LGBTQ and intersex]] rights. Between 1975 and 1997, the states and territories progressively repealed anti-homosexuality laws that dated back to the [[Colonial Australia|colonial era]].<ref name=carbery>{{cite web |last=Carbery |first=Graham |title=Towards Homosexual Equality in Australian Criminal Law: A Brief History |year=2010 |edition=2nd |url=http://www.alga.org.au/files/towardsequality2ed.pdf |publisher=Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives Inc.}}</ref> Since 2016, each jurisdiction has an equal age of consent for all sexual acts. All jurisdictions offer expungement schemes to clear the criminal records of people charged or convicted for consensual sexual acts that are no longer illegal.

Beginning on 12 September 2017, a national plebiscite titled "''Should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry?''"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Statistics|first=c=AU; o=Commonwealth of Australia; ou=Australian Bureau of|date=2017-11-15|title=Main Features - Results|url=https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/1800.0|access-date=2021-10-13|website=www.abs.gov.au|language=en}}</ref> was commenced. 61.6% of total votes were in support of the legalisation of same-sex marriage, leading to Australia recognising [[Same-sex marriage in Australia|same-sex marriage]] on 9 December 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Commons Librarian |date=2021-08-12 |title=Marriage Equality Campaign Timeline and Reflections |url=https://commonslibrary.org/marriage-equality-campaign-timeline-and-reflections/ |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=The Commons Social Change Library |language=en-AU}}</ref> States and territories began granting [[domestic partnership]] benefits and relationship recognition to same-sex couples from 2003 onwards, with federal law recognising same-sex couples since 2009 as [[De facto#Relationships|''de facto'' relationships]]. Alongside marriage, same-sex relationships may be recognised by states or territories in various ways, including through [[civil union]]s, domestic partnerships, registered relationships and/or as unregistered ''de facto'' relationships.<ref name="sheldrick-oseas">{{cite news|last1=Sheldrick|first1=Drew|title=Overseas same-sex marriage recognition back in the spotlight|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sexuality/article/2016/02/04/overseas-same-sex-marriage-recognition-back-spotlight?cid=inbody:knowing-your-adoption-and-foster-care-rights-as-an-lgbtqia-person|accessdate=4 December 2016|agency=Special Broadcasting Service|date=4 February 2016|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404171646/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sexuality/article/2016/02/04/overseas-same-sex-marriage-recognition-back-spotlight?cid=inbody:knowing-your-adoption-and-foster-care-rights-as-an-lgbtqia-person|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[LGBT adoption and parenting in Australia|LGBTQ adoption and parenting in Australia]] is legal nationwide, with the [[Northern Territory]] the last jurisdiction to pass an adoption equality law in March 2018. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression is prohibited in every state and territory, with concurrent federal protections for sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status since 1 August 2013.

[[Transgender rights in Australia]] and [[intersex rights in Australia]] vary between jurisdictions, with only NSW since 1996 legally still requiring a person to undergo [[sex reassignment surgery]] before changing the legal sex on [[birth certificates]]<ref name="cert-reform-call">{{cite news|last1=Wiggins|first1=Nick|title=Transgender, intersex people call for birth certificate reforms|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-25/transgender-lbgti-birth-certificate-discrimination/7786286|accessdate=17 September 2016|work=ABC News|agency=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=25 August 2016|language=en-AU}}</ref>{{needs update|date=April 2025|reason=NSW allows for gender self-identification and no longer requires sex reassignment surgery after 1 July 2025}} [[Genderqueer|Non-binary]] Australians can legally register a "non-specific" sex on federal legal documents and in the records of some states and territories.

Despite these developments, reports highlighted persistent barriers to accessing gender-affirming healthcare for sistergirls and brotherboys living in remote and regional areas. Several individuals described moving to cities such as Sydney to obtain hormone treatment that was unavailable in their home communities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-10-31 |title=Why being trans in regional Australia means higher healthcare hurdles |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-01/healthcare-for-trans-people-in-regional-australia/105951286 |access-date=2025-12-14 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>

===Summary table=== {{More citations needed section|date=April 2025}} {| class="wikitable |- align="center" ! width="8.33%"| LGBT rights in: ! width="8.33%"| Same-sex sexual activity ! width="8.33%"| Historical conviction expungement ! width="8.33%"| Gender recognition ! width="8.33%"| Same-sex relationships ! width="8.33%"| Same-sex adoption and parenting ! width="8.33%"| Anti-discrimination ! width="8.33%"| Gay panic defence abolished ! width="8.33%"| Conversion therapy banned ! width="8.33%"| [[Gender self-identification]] ! width="8.33%"| [[Legal recognition of non-binary gender]] ! width="8.33%"| Other |- | {{flagicon|Australian Capital Territory}} [[LGBT rights in the Australian Capital Territory|Australian Capital Territory]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 1976 (Legal with equal age of consent)<ref name="sbstimeline">{{cite news|last1=Winsor|first1=Ben|title=A definitive timeline of LGBT+ rights in Australia|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sexuality/agenda/article/2016/08/12/definitive-timeline-lgbt-rights-australia|accessdate=25 September 2016|work=SBS Online|agency=Special Broadcasting Service|date=20 September 2016|archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414094133/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sexuality/agenda/article/2016/08/12/definitive-timeline-lgbt-rights-australia|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Commons Librarian |date=2023-12-22 |title=Campaigns that Changed Tasmania |url=https://commonslibrary.org/campaigns-that-changed-tasmania/ |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=The Commons Social Change Library |language=en-AU}}</ref> | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2015<ref name="Sibthorpe-2015">{{cite news|last1=Sibthorpe|first1=Clare|title=Homosexual acts can soon be scrapped from criminal records in the ACT|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/homosexual-acts-can-soon-be-scrapped-from-criminal-records-in-the-act-20151029-gkmbbj.html|accessdate=23 October 2016|work=The Canberra Times|date=29 October 2015}}</ref> | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 1994 (Domestic partnerships)<br />2004 (de facto relationships)<ref name="millbank-couples" /><br />2008 ([[Civil partnership]]s)<br />2012 ([[Civil union]]s) |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2004<ref name="sbstimeline" /> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2004<ref name="sbstimeline"/> |[[File:Yes check.gif|15x15px|No]] 2020<ref name="act therapy">{{cite news |last1=Doherty |first1=P |last2=Roy |first2=T |date=27 August 2020 |title=LGBTQ conversion therapy banned in Canberra as Sexuality and Gender Identity Conversion Practices Bill passes |newspaper=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-27/act-bans-gay-conversion-therapy-with-sexuality-gender-bill/12600956}}</ref> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | Prohibits vilification on grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status<ref name="lawrie-vilification">{{cite web |last1=Lawrie |first1=Alastair |title=Opening Statement to Victorian Inquiry into Anti-Vilification Protections |url=https://alastairlawrie.net/2020/08/03/opening-statement-to-victorian-inquiry-into-anti-vilification-protections/ |website=alastairlawrie |accessdate=8 August 2020 |language=en |date=3 August 2020}}</ref> |- | {{flagicon|Christmas Island}} Christmas Island |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | Since 1958, subject to WA law |- | {{flagicon|Cocos (Keeling) Islands}} Cocos (Keeling) Islands |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] ''WA law''{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | Since 1992, subject to WA law |- | {{flagicon|New South Wales}} [[LGBT rights in New South Wales|New South Wales]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 1984 (Legal); 2003 (Equal age of consent) | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2015 | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] However requires surgery since 1996, to change sex on a [[birth certificate]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 1999 (De facto relationships)<ref name="millbank-couples">{{cite journal|last1=Millbank|first1=Jenni|title=Recognition of Lesbian and Gay Families in Australian Law - Part One: Couples|journal=Federal Law Review|date=2006|volume=34|issue=1|page=1|doi=10.22145/FLR.34.1.1 |s2cid=220292910 |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/FedLRev/2006/1.html|accessdate=12 September 2017}}</ref> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2010<ref name="sbstimeline" /> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] {{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2014<ref name="nsw-panic">{{cite news|last1=Brook|first1=Benedict|title=NSW Government ditches 'gay panic' defence – Star Observer|url=http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/national-news/new-south-wales-news/nsw-government-ditches-gay-panic-defence/120795|accessdate=25 September 2016|work=Star Observer|date=26 March 2014}}</ref> | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (from April 2025) |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] (from June 2025)<ref name="scl_equality_act_2024">{{cite web |last=Gregoire |first=Paul |date=18 October 2024 |title=New South Wales Parliament Passes Greatly Diluted LGBTIQA+ Equality Laws |url=https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/new-south-wales-parliament-passes-greatly-diluted-lgbtiqa-equality-laws/ |website=Sydney Criminal Lawyers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407105044/https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/new-south-wales-parliament-passes-greatly-diluted-lgbtiqa-equality-laws/ |archive-date=7 April 2025 |access-date=14 April 2025}}</ref> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] (from June 2025)<ref name="scl_equality_act_2024" /> | |- | {{flagicon|Norfolk Island}} Norfolk Island |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 1993<ref name="ilga2015">{{cite web|last1=Carroll|first1=Angus|last2=Itaborahy|first2=Lucas Paoli|title=State Sponsored Homophobia: A World Survey of Laws: criminalisation, protection and recognition of same-sex love|url=http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2015.pdf|publisher=International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association|accessdate=4 December 2016|date=May 2015|archive-date=29 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629054502/http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2015.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] ''NSW law''{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] ''NSW law''{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2006<ref name="ilga2015" /> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] ''NSW law''{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] ''NSW law''{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] ''NSW law''{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] (from April 2025) |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | Since 2016, subject to NSW law |- | {{flagicon|Northern Territory}} [[LGBT rights in the Northern Territory|Northern Territory]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 1983 (Legal);<ref name="sbstimeline" /> 2003 (Equal age of consent) | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2018<ref name="ExpungeActNT">{{cite web|url=https://legislation.nt.gov.au/en/LegislationPortal/Acts/~/link.aspx?_id=5FE4B9362BA94E2FB8F5AC83F1121A70&_z=z&format=assented|title=Expungement of Historical Homosexual Offence Records Act 2018|work=Northern Territory Legislation Database|date=23 May 2018}}</ref> | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2003 (De facto relationships)<ref name="millbank-couples" /> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2018 |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] {{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2006<ref name="sbstimeline" /> | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] |[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | |- | {{flagicon|Queensland}} [[LGBT rights in Queensland|Queensland]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 1991 (Legal);<ref name="qlrc-74">{{cite web|url=http://www.qlrc.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/484657/qlrc-report-no-74.pdf|title=Report No 74: Expunging criminal convictions for historical gay sex offences|work=Queensland Law Reform Commission|date=31 August 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204093259/http://www.qlrc.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/484657/qlrc-report-no-74.pdf|archivedate=4 December 2016}}</ref> 2018 (Equal age of consent) | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2018<ref name="qld expungement">{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/html/asmade/act-2017-037|work=Legislation.qld.gov.au|date=23 October 2017|title=Criminal Law (Historical Homosexual Convictions Expungement) Act 2017}}</ref><ref name="qld expungement1">{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/whole/html/asmade/sl-2018-0069|title=Proclamation—Criminal Law (Historical Homosexual Convictions Expungement) Act 2017 (commencing remaining provisions)|work=Legislation.qld.gov.au|accessdate=14 June 2018}}</ref> | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2003 |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2018 |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2017<ref>{{cite news |last1=Caldwell |first1=Felicity |title=Gay panic laws pass Queensland Parliament, removing partial defence |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/gay-panic-laws-pass-queensland-parliament-removing-partial-defence-20170321-gv32j8.html |accessdate=10 August 2020 |work=Brisbane Times |date=21 March 2017 |language=en}}</ref> | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2020<ref name="starcevic">{{cite news |last1=Starcevic |first1=Seb |title=Queensland is first Australian state to ban gay conversion therapy |url=https://news.trust.org/item/20200813083715-pv0b6/ |accessdate=14 August 2020 |work=Thomson Reuters Foundation News |publisher=Thomson Reuters Foundation |date=13 August 2020}}</ref> |[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} |Anti-vilification laws based on sexual orientation and gender identity. |- | {{flagicon|South Australia}} [[LGBT rights in South Australia|South Australia]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 1975 (Legal with equal age of consent) | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]/[[File:X mark.svg|15px]] 2013 (Can apply to be [[spent conviction]], not true expungement)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sainty|first1=Lane|title=Some States Are Holding Out Against Erasing Historic Gay Sex Convictions|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/lanesainty/heres-whats-happening-with-historical-gay-sex-convictions|accessdate=23 October 2016|work=BuzzFeed|date=15 January 2016}}</ref> | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2007 (Domestic partnerships), 2017 (Registered relationships) |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2017<ref>{{cite news|last1=Waldhuter|first1=Lauren|title=Same-sex couples welcome introduction of adoption equality in SA|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-17/adoption-approved-for-sa-same-sex-couples/8281070|accessdate=17 February 2017|work=ABC News|agency=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=17 February 2017|language=en-AU}}</ref> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2021 |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2024<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/lz?path=/b/current/conversion+practices+prohibition+bill+2024|title=LZ|first=South Australian|last=Legislation|date=22 November 2021|website=South Australian Legislation}}</ref> |[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | |- | {{flagicon|Tasmania}} [[LGBT rights in Tasmania|Tasmania]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 1997 (Legal with equal age of consent) | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2015<ref name="Sibthorpe-2015"/> | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2003 (De facto and registered couples)<ref name="millbank-couples" /> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2013<ref name="sbstimeline" /> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] {{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2004<ref name="sbstimeline"/> | [[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] |[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | |- | {{flagicon|Victoria}} [[LGBT rights in Victoria|Victoria]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 1981 (Legal with equal age of consent)<ref name="sbstimeline" /> | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2014<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gerber|first1=Paula|title=Expunging convictions for gay sex: an old wrong is finally righted|url=http://theconversation.com/expunging-convictions-for-gay-sex-an-old-wrong-is-finally-righted-33013|accessdate=23 October 2016|work=The Conversation}}</ref> | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2001 (De facto relationships)<ref name="millbank-couples" /> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2016<ref name="sbstimeline" /> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2005<ref name="sbstimeline" /> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parliament of Victoria - Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020 |url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/publications/research-papers/download/36-research-papers/13979-change-or-suppression-conversion-practices-prohibition-bill-2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601140336/https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/publications/research-papers/download/36-research-papers/13979-change-or-suppression-conversion-practices-prohibition-bill-2020 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 June 2021 |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=www.parliament.vic.gov.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sakkal |first=Sumeyya Ilanbey, Paul |date=2021-02-04 |title=Gay conversion therapy banned in Victoria |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/gay-conversion-therapy-banned-in-victoria-after-marathon-debate-20210204-p56zls.html |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | |- | {{flagicon|Western Australia}} [[LGBT rights in Western Australia|Western Australia]] |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 1990<ref name="sbstimeline" /> | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]]{{When|date=April 2025}} |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2003 |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]] 2002<ref name="wa-adoptions">{{cite news|last1=Hayward|first1=Andrea|last2=Perpitch|first2=Nicolas|title=Gay adoption divides community|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/gay-adoption-divides-community/story-e6frg13u-1111113749221?nk=0f870f2b7b362e86bd659014cdac3c02-1474787574|accessdate=25 September 2016|work=PerthNow|publisher=News Corp Australia|date=13 June 2007}}</ref> |[[File:Yes check.svg|15px]]{{When|date=April 2025}} | [[File:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] 2008<ref name="sbstimeline" /> |[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-13/wa-government-delay-conversion-therapy-bill-until-after-election/104343964|title=Western Australia pushes back plan to ban gay conversion therapy|newspaper=ABC News |date=12 September 2024|via=www.abc.net.au}}</ref> |[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] |[[File:X mark.svg|15px|No]] | |}

===Public attitudes=== A 2005 paper by the [[Australia Institute]], ''Mapping Homophobia in Australia'', found that 35% of people aged 14 or above considered homosexuality to be immoral, with Queensland and Tasmania having the highest levels of anti-gay sentiment and Victoria the lowest.<ref name="map">{{cite web |author = Michael Flood and Clive Hamilton | title = Mapping Homophobia in Australia | publisher = The Australia Institute | date = July 2005 | url = http://www.glhv.org.au/files/aust_inst_homophobia_paper.pdf | pages = 1 | accessdate = 2014-12-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170309125622/http://www.glhv.org.au/files/aust_inst_homophobia_paper.pdf | archive-date = 9 March 2017 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Overall the most anti-LGBT areas in the study were the Moreton area of country Queensland (excluding the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast), Central and South-West Queensland and the Burnie/Western district of Tasmania, where 50% considered homosexuality to be immoral, while the least homophobic were inner-city Melbourne (14%), central Perth (21%) and central Melbourne (26%).<ref name=map />

A 2018 Ipsos survey of the attitudes towards transgender people in several countries found 71% of Australian respondents thought that the country was becoming more tolerant of transgender people.<ref name="ipsos2018">{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Julia |last2=Boyon |first2=Nicolas |last3=Jackson |first3=Chris |title=Global Attitudes Toward Transgender People |url=https://www.ipsos.com/en/global-attitudes-toward-transgender-people |accessdate=6 May 2019 |work=Ipsos |date=30 January 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Indigenous LGBTI community === {{Expand section|date=October 2024}} Gender diverse and transgender [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders]] are often referred to as [[sistergirl]]s and [[brotherboy]]s.<ref name="sgbb">{{cite news|last1=Burin|first1=Margaret|title=Sistergirls, brotherboys 'looking for acceptance'|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-21/sistergirls-and-brotherboys-unite-to-strengthen-spirits/8040928|accessdate=22 November 2016|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=21 November 2016|language=en-AU}}</ref><ref name="vicekai">{{cite news |last1=Clancy |first1=Kai |title= Growing Up as a Transgender Indigenous Australian |work= VICE Australia |url= https://www.vice.com/en/article/growing-up-as-a-transgender-indigenous-australian/|access-date=22 November 2016 |date= 7 April 2015 |language=en-au}}</ref> The level of acceptance varies with each community and its [[Aboriginal elder|elder]]s.<ref name="sgbb" /><ref name="vicekai" /> In 2015, Dameyon Bonson established Black Rainbow as a mental health support and suicide prevention service for LGBTI Indigenous Australians, given that they often suffer dual discrimination through both racism and homophobia/transphobia, and are 45 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Davey|first1=Melissa|title=LGBTI Indigenous people offered a rainbow to follow| url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/feb/18/lgbti-indigenous-people-offered-a-rainbow-to-follow|accessdate=22 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=18 February 2015}}</ref>

In 2019, [[SBS World News|SBS News]] reported on how gender-diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people help keep cultural traditions alive while also advocating for greater acceptance. In the Tiwi Islands, sistergirls were reported to have gained recognition through participation in traditionally gender-specific cultural practices, including women's ceremonial dances. Following the deaths of 15 sistergirls by suicide in the early 2000s, a community meeting was held in which sistergirls sought and received permission from Tiwi Elders to perform traditional women's dances. A ceremonial event was held in remembrance of those who had died, marking a turning point in community relations, later they performed also in a competition held in the [[Sydney Opera House]]. According to later accounts, no further sistergirl suicides were reported in the community after the ceremony, and the event is described as having significantly improved acceptance and support for sistergirls' gender identity and sexuality among families and community members.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-23 |title='Don't be afraid': Tiwi Sistergirls spread acceptance through traditional dance |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/dont-be-afraid-tiwi-sistergirls-spread-acceptance-through-traditional-dance/l513nwaj2 |access-date=2025-12-14 |website=SBS News |language=en}}</ref> {{Clear}}

==See also== {{Portal|Australia|LGBTQ}} * [[Archer (magazine)]] * [[Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey]] * [[LGBTIQ+ Health Australia]] * [[LGBTQ culture in Sydney]] * [[LGBTQ rights in Australia]] * [[QNews]] * [[Same-sex marriage in Australia]] * [[Star Observer]] * [[Suicide among LGBTQ people]]

==References== <references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lgbt In Australia}} [[Category:LGBTQ in Australia| ]] [[Category:LGBTQ demographics]]