( ABC News) Debate over the need for a bill So, it's a lose-lose situation."Īttorney-General Michaelia Cash is expected to introduce the Religious Discrimination Bill into Parliament this week. "We know from a lot of the research that the kind of messaging in non-affirming communities is incredibly damaging, but the prospect of leaving a family or church is damaging as well. "It's putting queer young people – particularly those who don't have the choice about their church, their family or the religious schools they may be involved in – at risk. "Instead of providing more protections for vulnerable Australians, this bill is looking to provide more protections for the people who are sharing hurtful messages," he says. But I don't think it's any comfort to somebody who knows that every time they see any service provider, their lifestyle, attributes, personality can be subject to comment without recourse."Īnthony Castle, community director at the LGBTQ+-affirming Activate Church, fears the bill's statement of belief provision could leave young queer people exposed. "There's a saving clause that says, 'Not if it's vilifying or if it incites hatred', so there's a limit. "There won't be anything to stop doctors saying what they think of their patient's lifestyles, accommodation providers saying what they think of single parents, and so it goes on.
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"It means that if you want to express your "religious belief" about someone else, you'll be absolutely free to do so," he says. While the bill may be amended before it's introduced to Parliament, Professor Rice says that based on the most recent version he has read, this provision overrides all state and territory discrimination laws. Hear more analysis of the religious discrimination bill on RN's The Religion and Ethics Report with Andrew West. "I was removed from all leadership roles, and participation in the Church. When Mx Fenton worked up the courage to speak to their church minister, they say the response was swift and clear. "When I first discovered that I was gay, it was something I was very ashamed about, and that I tried to suppress and resist. "I grew up in a church where I was taught that you can't be both queer and Christian," says the 32-year-old. Sydney-based pastor Steff Fenton, who uses they/them pronouns, says they had a similar experience. "The more I came out, the more I got kicked out." While Ms Schmidt continued her involvement with Christian communities in the subsequent years, she says she continued to face pushback for her sexual identity. But because it was, they didn't officially do that, because that goes against their policies." "From my perspective, it seemed pretty clear that I was fired because I was gay. "Quite mysteriously, a couple of months later, the Church decided to no longer have a youth pastor and to spend that money on something else instead," says the 31-year-old.
She believes church leaders revoked her position in the church after finding out she identified as queer.Īnthony Castle and Rosalie Dow Schmidt say they've never felt discriminated against because of their religion. Rosalie Dow Schmidt was raised with a Christian minister as a father, and her teenage years revolved around her religious community, be it teaching Sunday school, performing in the worship band, or working as a youth pastor. Queer people of faith tell the ABC such discrimination is rife. Still, critics warn the bill could strengthen the ability for faith-based employers - including schools, hospitals and aged-care providers - to discriminate against employees based on their religious belief, relationship status or sexual identity, if it's at odds with the organisation's ethos.
The latest draft has not been publicly released, but two controversial aspects have reportedly been removed – the so-called "Folau clause", which sought to limit employers' control over employees' statements of belief, and the right for health practitioners to refuse procedures on religious grounds. While the bill has attracted support from certain religious lobby groups, others have raised concerns, including some Christian groups, Jewish groups, LGBTQ+ groups, disability advocates, the Australian Medical Association and the Diversity Council Australia. Nearly three years after the report from the Religious Freedom Review was released, Attorney-General Michaelia Cash is expected to introduce the Religious Discrimination Bill into Parliament this week. Religious freedom has been a hot-button issue since same-sex marriage was legalised in 2017.