Alastair Lawrie
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alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Alastair Lawrie
@alastairlawrie.bsky.social
820 followers 380 following 860 posts
Director, Policy & Advocacy at the Justice and Equity Centre.
LGBTIQ+ advocate and writer: https://alastairlawrie.net
Views own.
He/him.
Living on Dharawal land (Wollongong).
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alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Alastair Lawrie @alastairlawrie.bsky.social · Apr 7
New from me: My article 'Déjà vu for LGBTQ students and teachers in religious schools' has been published in the Australian Journal of Human Rights.
#auslaw 1/
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Déjà vu for LGBTQ students and teachers in religious schools
Successive Australian Governments have promised to protect LGBTQ people in religious schools against discrimination, only to break those promises. This includes the Albanese Government, despite the...
www.tandfonline.com
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
The Australian has clearly run out of any actual news to print, instead choosing to revive its horrific anti-trans war.

For the record, only fringe 'gay and lesbian' orgs, like the LGB Alliance, have any issue with trans people - for the vast majority of us, trans people are our friends and allies.
The nonsense has gone too far. As Rice reports, gay and lesbian groups, rightly, are objecting, finding that the ongoing erasure of biological sex in law is having a damaging effect on many in the gay community. Governments and companies should also take a firm stand against such ideology.
December 7, 2025 at 10:40 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Hopefully the Queensland LGBTI Legal Service is successful in this new challenge.

But the only way all young trans and gender diverse people to have access to vital health care is for the Govt to change their mind - or, if they refuse, for the people to change the Govt. #aushealth #qldpol
Another legal challenge to Queensland’s ban on puberty blockers Queensland’s LGBTI Legal Service has filed a second challenge to the state’s controversial ban on puberty blockers, on behalf of a client who was denied treatment in the state system. The government first banned public health services from prescribing puberty blockers to “new patients” in January. In October, the supreme court ruled the first ban was unlawful, due to a lack of consultation. The government instituted a second ban within hours of it being overturned. The young person at the centre of the case was deemed a “new patient” under the first ban in January, and subsequently sought treatment for gender dysphoria as a private patient. Private treatments can be significantly more expensive. After the first ban was overturned, the young person then sought treatment as a public patient, on the grounds they were not a “new patient” because they had begun gender-affirming care before the second ban was implemented. They claim they were refused treatment. The court challenge seeks an order that anyone who began gender-affirming care before 28 October – when the second ban was instituted – should not be considered a “new patient”. The mother of the young person said: The ministerial direction was made with lightning speed but, yet again, was made without input from trans young people and their parents and without consulting anyone with expertise in treating trans young people. Seven hours wasn’t even long enough for the minister to prepare a direction that was clear and unambiguous, let alone adequately consider all of the issues. The legal services says it has lodged separate discrimination and human rights cases.
December 7, 2025 at 10:35 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
"Smith has now been ordered to pay the fine and publish a public apology across “all social media pages and websites over which she has control”. The $95,000 fine must be paid within 28 days, after which it will double."

Good things are still possible.
qnews.com.au/kirralie-smi...
Activist Kirralie Smith fined $95k over anti-trans vilification
QNews LGBTIQA+ News
qnews.com.au
December 7, 2025 at 10:31 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
“This gives more license to individuals to target trans, intersex and other LGBTQ+ folks in carceral settings and ignore their obligations under the law.”
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
DoJ moves to eliminate sexual abuse protections for LGBTQ+ people in prisons
Memo says the policy shift, which advocates call ‘reckless’, was designed to align with one of Trump’s anti-trans orders
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:29 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
The global fascist war on trans people continues. #transphobia
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Outcry in Italy over sex education bill to crack down on ‘gender ideology’
Legislation is needed to stop leftwing politicians ‘bringing drag queens and porn actors into schools’, minister says
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:19 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
"This is mere cruelty to exclude trans people from doing the things they love with the people who love them." #transphobia
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Leading groups for UK women and girls to close doors for trans women
Two of the UK's leading groups for women and girls will stop offering membership to trans women in the aftermath of a Supreme Court ruling.
www.abc.net.au
December 4, 2025 at 9:09 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
“They [the ADF] have a very longstanding and aggressive approach to the rights of LGBTIQ people.

“They fight it in the courts in the US, they fight it politically, locally and in communities, and their aggressive anti-gay stance is extremely harmful.”
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Global group accused of attacking gay rights backs South Australian woman over school presentation
Global arm of Alliance Defending Freedom, which advances ‘a Christian view’ of sexuality, supports proposed legal action over classroom material
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:09 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
The text of the Victorian Bill to end involuntary medical interventions, incl surgery, on children born with variations in sex characteristics (the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025) is now online. #aushealth
www.legislation.vic.gov.au/bills/health...
Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025
www.legislation.vic.gov.au
December 3, 2025 at 5:02 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
It is extraordinary - and extraordinarily condescending - that the same Albanese Government that regularly breaks its promises to protect LGBTIQ+ rights domestically thinks it is in a position to 'promote' LGBTIQ+ human rights to other countries. #auspol #auslaw 1/
Special Envoy for International Human Rights Joint media release with: Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia 28 November 2025 Today we announce the appointment of Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP as Australia's Special Envoy for International Human Rights. As Special Envoy, Mr Dreyfus will renew Australia's tradition as a global champion for human rights – a role we have played since we were an original signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. In particular, Mr Dreyfus will take a special advocacy role for the abolition of the death penalty, as well as for the rights and protections of children, older persons, people living with a disability and LGBTIQ+ individuals – all issues on which Australia has a long record of international leadership. Mr Dreyfus is one of the most accomplished and widely respected parliamentarians of recent decades. He has served as Attorney-General and Cabinet Secretary in two governments, and before entering parliament was a prominent barrister for twenty years. His high standing as a parliamentarian means he can work effectively with other parliamentary representatives in our region leading their countries' human rights agendas. We thank Mr Dreyfus for agreeing to share his wealth of experience and outstanding credentials through this role, in addition to his parliamentary responsibilities.
December 3, 2025 at 12:01 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
"The definition of “disability” isn’t the problem. It is already broader and more flexible than many people realise. What’s missing is clear information, education and the political will to make other parts of the DDA more effective." #auslaw
www.abc.net.au/religion/mis...
Confusion about disability discrimination law is weakening its power to protect people - ABC Religion & Ethics
The Disability Discrimination Act remains one of Australia’s most important human rights laws, but for it to protect people effectively, everyone — whether in the government or in the community — need...
www.abc.net.au
December 2, 2025 at 11:21 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
This is an excellent interview, with a great advocate.
www.smh.com.au/national/he-...
‘He was shaking’: The encounter in his local cafe that hit home for Mitch Brown
The former West Coast Eagle – and first openly bisexual player in the AFL/VFL’s history – on the messages he’s received since he came out in August.
www.smh.com.au
December 1, 2025 at 10:54 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
"Victoria will become the first Australian state to ban unnecessary surgeries on intersex children, with legislation to be introduced to parliament to ensure procedures are deferred until patients are old enough to consent to them." #aushealth

Good.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Victoria could become first Australian state to ban unnecessary surgery on intersex children
Exclusive: Legislation would prohibit deferrable, irreversible procedures until child can give informed consent, bringing state in line with ACT
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:53 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
"Of the 83 cases that could be scrutinised – which related to procedures in Syd & Bris between 2018 & 2023 – nearly half featured cosmetic preferences as part of clinical deliberations, despite the children being too young to express their own wishes." #aushealth 1/2
www.smh.com.au/national/vic...
‘He needs to be a boy’: Unnecessary surgeries being performed on intersex children
As Victoria prepares to ban unnecessary surgeries for intersex children, a new report says some hospitals appear to keep no records justifying surgeries.
www.smh.com.au
December 1, 2025 at 10:50 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
"By attempting to brainwash gay youth into becoming “normal”, conversion practices promotes Trump’s war on the LGBTQ+ community. That explains why, relying on junk science, a Health & Human Services Dept report issued last spring appeared to support the practice."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
‘Conversion therapy’ is homophobic and dangerous. Yet it threatens to make a comeback | David Kirp
Bans on the dangerous practice, condemned by national mental health organizations, could soon be struck down
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:06 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
"There is a lot to celebrate in the history of our national model, not least because it is such a powerful example of how a public health catastrophe can be managed & ameliorated when govt policy & funding is informed by community knowledge & expertise" #aushealth
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reciting the names of the dead: how Australia’s response to HIV/Aids was emotionally – and politically – powerful | Leigh Boucher
Researchers now describe it as both historical phenomenon and public health model. Its success was remarkable
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Reposted by Alastair Lawrie
interaction.org.au
The Missing Voice reveals ongoing medical interventions on intersex kids in Australia & the need for laws to protect consent. Read the report 👉 interaction.org.au/resource/the... Sign the petition 👉 equalityaustralia.org.au/take-action/...
“The Missing Voice Report: a thematic analysis and stories of ongoing medical interventions on intersex children in Australia” - InterAction
A new report by Equality Australia in collaboration with InterAction, offering rare insight into the medical interventions currently being performed on intersex children in Australia, and the rational...
interaction.org.au
November 30, 2025 at 11:25 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
"[U]sing the ABS data, not only have we seen a drop in youth offenders overall, but all states and territories show a significant and sustained drop, including in the lead-up to the introduction of new laws." #auslaw #nswpol
theconversation.com/is-australia...
Is Australia in a youth crime crisis? Here’s what the numbers say
State governments across the country have brought in harsher laws to deal with youth crime in recent years. But do the stats justify the punitive measures?
theconversation.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:42 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
"The report makes clear that the education sector has an important role in preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and ensuring trauma-informed responses...

But what about when governments’ actions – or lack of action – result in trauma for children?" #auspol
www.croakey.org/law-reform-n...
Law reform needed to ensure safety of LGBTQIA+ students and teachers
Introduction by Croakey: Reducing traumatic experiences during childhood is essential for suicide prevention and for contributing to lifelong wellbeing, according
www.croakey.org
November 30, 2025 at 9:35 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
There are no depths to which Mark Latham will not plunge. #nswpol 1/
www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-new...
www.theaustralian.com.au
November 26, 2025 at 10:07 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
It is strange the NSW Government's focus seems almost solely concerned with anti-semitism when there is a recent example - March 2023 in Melbourne - of neo-Nazis targeting trans and gender diverse on the steps of their Parliament. #nswpol
qnews.com.au/nsw-to-intro...
NSW to introduce fines & imprisonment following Neo-Nazi rally at Parliament
QNews LGBTIQA+ News
qnews.com.au
November 26, 2025 at 12:55 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
This episode reinforces need for NSW Govt to treat all forms of hatred seriously, not just some.

Sadly, they have not released the Sackar review into inciting racial hatred laws passed earlier this year, which should recommend expansion to other hatreds. #auslaw
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Man becomes first to be convicted of hate speech against trans people in NSW
Man sentenced to community correction order after pleading guilty to threatening or inciting violence on grounds of gender identity
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:51 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
While inclusion of sexuality & gender identity questions in 2026 (for people aged 16+) is welcome, let's not forget PM Albanese broke his promise by:

-excluding trans & gender diverse kids (contrary to ABS advice) &
-excluding intersex people entirely.

#aushealth
www.outinperth.com/abs-confirms...
ABS confirms gender, sexuality questions in 2026 Census
The new questions will provide vital data for understanding Australia’s LGBTQ+ populations.
www.outinperth.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:49 AM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
Of all the genuine issues affecting our community, Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson keeps trying to invent one, in her war against the trans community. #auspol #transphobia
www.outinperth.com/liberal-sena...
Liberal senator Sarah Henderson says it's time for a "very big fight" on trans ideology
Sarah Henderson says changing the Sex Discrimination Act to remove protections for transgender people will be a priority for the opposition.
www.outinperth.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:35 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
"The marking of Trans Day of Remembrance on 20th November then offers a chance for trans communities and allies to gather and mourn the trans people we’ve lost to hate violence in the year prior."
qnews.com.au/trans-awaren...
Trans Awareness Week, what it means to me
QNews LGBTIQA+ News
qnews.com.au
November 18, 2025 at 9:33 PM
alastairlawrie.bsky.social
"The Justice and Equity Centre argued the laws would result in more children in prison." #auslaw #nswpol
www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw...
When is a child responsible for a crime? Not everyone likes the answer
Legal groups and politicians are at odds over a legal principle which has long been key in keeping kids out of prison.
www.smh.com.au
November 18, 2025 at 9:27 PM