Alastair Lawrie
@alastairlawrie.bsky.social
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).
LGBTIQ+ advocate and writer: https://alastairlawrie.net
Views own.
He/him.
Living on Dharawal land (Wollongong).
Pinned
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
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....
#auslaw 1/
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
"LGBTQIA+ and religious young people are erased in this legislative environment, because it assumes that religious and LGBTQIA+ communities do not overlap. Our research shows this isn’t the case." #auslaw #auspol 1/3
theconversation.com/school-exemp...
theconversation.com/school-exemp...
School exemptions to discrimination law leave religious LGBTQIA+ teens unprotected
Federal laws allow religious schools to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ people. New research shows religious and sexuality diverse teens fall through the cracks.
theconversation.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:52 PM
"LGBTQIA+ and religious young people are erased in this legislative environment, because it assumes that religious and LGBTQIA+ communities do not overlap. Our research shows this isn’t the case." #auslaw #auspol 1/3
theconversation.com/school-exemp...
theconversation.com/school-exemp...
"This isn’t feminism. It’s opportunism. It’s anti-trans politics dressed up as concern for our wellbeing." #auslaw 1/2
womensagenda.com.au/latest/stop-...
womensagenda.com.au/latest/stop-...
Stop using women in prison as weapons in your war on trans women
Women in prison are being used as weapons in a broader campaign of transphobia. It is grotesque political theatre.
womensagenda.com.au
November 17, 2025 at 9:49 PM
"This isn’t feminism. It’s opportunism. It’s anti-trans politics dressed up as concern for our wellbeing." #auslaw 1/2
womensagenda.com.au/latest/stop-...
womensagenda.com.au/latest/stop-...
"The predictable response is to tell LGBTQ people to be more careful. While safety advice matters, “be careful” is not a policy. The inquiry told us that hate will adapt if we let culture and society do the policing for us."
www.smh.com.au/national/gay...
www.smh.com.au/national/gay...
Gay-hate crimes 2025-style: teenagers lure victims on dating sites
This is a pattern, not a scare story. Today’s attackers do not wait in known beats or coastal parks; they exploit trust and weaponise the phones in our hands.
www.smh.com.au
November 16, 2025 at 10:20 PM
"The predictable response is to tell LGBTQ people to be more careful. While safety advice matters, “be careful” is not a policy. The inquiry told us that hate will adapt if we let culture and society do the policing for us."
www.smh.com.au/national/gay...
www.smh.com.au/national/gay...
Queer kids are coming out earlier, which is a positive sign.
Except if they are in religious schools in NSW, WA and SA - because the laws of those states, and the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act, *still* don't protect them against discrimination. #auspol #auslaw
www.smh.com.au/national/vic...
Except if they are in religious schools in NSW, WA and SA - because the laws of those states, and the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act, *still* don't protect them against discrimination. #auspol #auslaw
www.smh.com.au/national/vic...
Gen Z are ‘resisting cultural norms’ and coming out as queer earlier, but there’s a catch
Gen Zers often realise their sexual identity earlier and quicker, a study has found, which had positive, but also risky, implications.
www.smh.com.au
November 16, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Queer kids are coming out earlier, which is a positive sign.
Except if they are in religious schools in NSW, WA and SA - because the laws of those states, and the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act, *still* don't protect them against discrimination. #auspol #auslaw
www.smh.com.au/national/vic...
Except if they are in religious schools in NSW, WA and SA - because the laws of those states, and the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act, *still* don't protect them against discrimination. #auspol #auslaw
www.smh.com.au/national/vic...
The Australian deliberately misleading its audience on trans issues? Who could have possible guessed... #transphobia
qnews.com.au/tasmania-rej...
qnews.com.au/tasmania-rej...
Tasmania rejects The Australian’s misleading claims on trans prison policy
QNews LGBTIQA+ News
qnews.com.au
November 16, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The Australian deliberately misleading its audience on trans issues? Who could have possible guessed... #transphobia
qnews.com.au/tasmania-rej...
qnews.com.au/tasmania-rej...
"The legal action follows the air force’s confirmation it would deny early retirement benefits to all transgender service members with 15-18 yrs of military experience, a decision that effectively pushes them out of the military with no retirement support at all."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trans air force members sue Trump administration over denied pension
Complaint slams government’s actions as ‘unlawful and invalid’ after air force revoked early retirement benefits
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:53 PM
"The legal action follows the air force’s confirmation it would deny early retirement benefits to all transgender service members with 15-18 yrs of military experience, a decision that effectively pushes them out of the military with no retirement support at all."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
“We know anecdotally gay/bisexual men are being targeted on dating apps & trans women, & other gender diverse people, are being physically assaulted.
“This is not new, but it’s on the rise and there is genuine concern within the community about it worsening.”
www.outinperth.com/concerns-ove...
“This is not new, but it’s on the rise and there is genuine concern within the community about it worsening.”
www.outinperth.com/concerns-ove...
Concerns over rapidly escalating online hate speech directed at LGBTIQA+ communities
Prominent members of the Australia's LGBTIQA+ communities are calling for more action on the rapidly growing level of hate speech.
www.outinperth.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:51 PM
“We know anecdotally gay/bisexual men are being targeted on dating apps & trans women, & other gender diverse people, are being physically assaulted.
“This is not new, but it’s on the rise and there is genuine concern within the community about it worsening.”
www.outinperth.com/concerns-ove...
“This is not new, but it’s on the rise and there is genuine concern within the community about it worsening.”
www.outinperth.com/concerns-ove...
"The Sydney based Inner City Legal Centre (ICLC) has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to properly fund a dedicated LGBTIQA+ community legal service, warning that LGBTIQA+ people are being left behind compared to other states." #auslaw #nswpol
www.outinperth.com/nsw-premier-...
www.outinperth.com/nsw-premier-...
NSW Premier urged to fund specific legal support for LGBTIQA+ communities
Sydney's Inner City Legal Centre (ICLC) has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to properly fund a dedicated LGBTIQA+ community legal service
www.outinperth.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:49 PM
"The Sydney based Inner City Legal Centre (ICLC) has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to properly fund a dedicated LGBTIQA+ community legal service, warning that LGBTIQA+ people are being left behind compared to other states." #auslaw #nswpol
www.outinperth.com/nsw-premier-...
www.outinperth.com/nsw-premier-...
Always revealing how quickly the PM can condemn antisemitism at neo-Nazi rallies, when he has consistently and studiously avoided condemning the anti-trans nature of the neo-Nazi attendance at Victorian Parliament in March 2023. #auspol
November 13, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Always revealing how quickly the PM can condemn antisemitism at neo-Nazi rallies, when he has consistently and studiously avoided condemning the anti-trans nature of the neo-Nazi attendance at Victorian Parliament in March 2023. #auspol
Having been to Istanbul in July, and seen the efforts of the local LGBTQ+ community to create an inclusive and welcoming environment, this is awful news.
qnews.com.au/fears-turkey...
qnews.com.au/fears-turkey...
Fears Turkey considering massive rollback of LGBTQIA+ rights
QNews LGBTIQA+ News
qnews.com.au
November 12, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Having been to Istanbul in July, and seen the efforts of the local LGBTQ+ community to create an inclusive and welcoming environment, this is awful news.
qnews.com.au/fears-turkey...
qnews.com.au/fears-turkey...
Reading articles on the 50th anniversary of the Whitlam dismissal is particularly weird when you are a progressive, but your grandfather was a Country Party Senator from Queensland who served 1965-75 and who therefore voted to block supply.
November 10, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Reading articles on the 50th anniversary of the Whitlam dismissal is particularly weird when you are a progressive, but your grandfather was a Country Party Senator from Queensland who served 1965-75 and who therefore voted to block supply.
"Everyone should be treated equally by police under the law," Ms Gooley said. "But the data in our report and the experience of our clients indicates police are discriminating against Aboriginal children in how they conduct home checks of people on bail." #auslaw #nswpol
nit.com.au/10-11-2025/2...
nit.com.au/10-11-2025/2...
After 150 visits in 20 months, Aboriginal brothers bring racial discrimination case against NSW Police
Two Aboriginal brothers, aged 11 and 13, were subjected to more than 150 police home checks over 20 months - often in the middle of the night - in behaviour they allege was racially discriminatory.The...
nit.com.au
November 10, 2025 at 9:20 PM
"Everyone should be treated equally by police under the law," Ms Gooley said. "But the data in our report and the experience of our clients indicates police are discriminating against Aboriginal children in how they conduct home checks of people on bail." #auslaw #nswpol
nit.com.au/10-11-2025/2...
nit.com.au/10-11-2025/2...
Devastating for trans and intersex female athletes.
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...
IOC edges closer to ban on transgender women in female Olympic events
Sources expect the ban within the next six to 12 months with the IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, having pledged to protect the female category
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Devastating for trans and intersex female athletes.
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...
It is extraordinary that our PM thinks this is the kind of person who deserves to have their funeral paid for by the taxpayer... #auspol
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
Long lunches, Swiss bank accounts and a kangaroo scrotum: My decades pursuing Graham Richardson
For a reporter whose career has been spent uncovering crime and corruption, the Labor senator was the one who got away.
www.smh.com.au
November 10, 2025 at 8:54 PM
It is extraordinary that our PM thinks this is the kind of person who deserves to have their funeral paid for by the taxpayer... #auspol
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
"Over the next 20 months, the police visited their home to conduct bail checks more than 150 times. Often police visited in the middle of the night, or in the early hours of the morning when the children were asleep."
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
150 police visits in 20 months: Indigenous mother takes action after her boys subjected to ‘relentless’ checks
Exclusive: A family has launched a court case against NSW police alleging racial discrimination is behind excessive bail checks
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:43 PM
"Over the next 20 months, the police visited their home to conduct bail checks more than 150 times. Often police visited in the middle of the night, or in the early hours of the morning when the children were asleep."
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
"It’s been a decade since the US Supreme Court recognised a constitutional right to same-sex marriage in the landmark case, Obergefell v Hodges. The US Supreme Court will meet today to consider a request to overturn that 2015 decision."
theconversation.com/will-the-us-...
theconversation.com/will-the-us-...
Will the US Supreme Court consider a request to overturn same-sex marriage?
Given the more conservative configuration of the Supreme Court today, the court decision that legalised same-sex marriage cannot be taken for granted.
theconversation.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:42 PM
"It’s been a decade since the US Supreme Court recognised a constitutional right to same-sex marriage in the landmark case, Obergefell v Hodges. The US Supreme Court will meet today to consider a request to overturn that 2015 decision."
theconversation.com/will-the-us-...
theconversation.com/will-the-us-...
Equality Tasmania spokesperson Rodney Croome told SBS News those who were convicted under the state's old laws suffered "immense pain and trauma", with some even compelled to leave the state. #politas 1/2
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
Australia's first LGBTIQ+ redress scheme is approved, yet some will never see it
Tasmania has become the first state to establish a redress scheme for people affected by discriminatory laws.
www.sbs.com.au
November 6, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Equality Tasmania spokesperson Rodney Croome told SBS News those who were convicted under the state's old laws suffered "immense pain and trauma", with some even compelled to leave the state. #politas 1/2
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
"The supreme court on Thursday allowed Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a policy blocking transgender and non-binary people from choosing passport sex markers that align with their gender identity."
Horrific. #SCOTUS
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Horrific. #SCOTUS
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US supreme court allows Trump to block passport sex markers for trans and non-binary people
Decision by high court’s conservative majority is Trump administration’s latest win on emergency docket
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:52 PM
"The supreme court on Thursday allowed Donald Trump’s administration to enforce a policy blocking transgender and non-binary people from choosing passport sex markers that align with their gender identity."
Horrific. #SCOTUS
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Horrific. #SCOTUS
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
"Professor Gerber noted that as Tasmania was the last place to decriminalise homosexuality, not changing the laws until 1997, which meant those affected by the laws were more likely to still be alive and much younger than in other states."
www.outinperth.com/tasmania-set...
www.outinperth.com/tasmania-set...
Tasmania set to pass scheme for restitution on historical homosexual convictions
Tasmanian is expected to pass legislation that will create a scheme for compensation for people who impacted by laws against homosexuality
www.outinperth.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:36 PM
"Professor Gerber noted that as Tasmania was the last place to decriminalise homosexuality, not changing the laws until 1997, which meant those affected by the laws were more likely to still be alive and much younger than in other states."
www.outinperth.com/tasmania-set...
www.outinperth.com/tasmania-set...
"We hear from the players that things are getting better than they were.
But that’s only from a measuring point of how bad it was in the past."
qnews.com.au/homophobia-t...
But that’s only from a measuring point of how bad it was in the past."
qnews.com.au/homophobia-t...
Homophobia, transphobia and racism continue to shape global sport
QNews LGBTIQA+ News
qnews.com.au
November 5, 2025 at 9:35 PM
"We hear from the players that things are getting better than they were.
But that’s only from a measuring point of how bad it was in the past."
qnews.com.au/homophobia-t...
But that’s only from a measuring point of how bad it was in the past."
qnews.com.au/homophobia-t...
"Tasmanians convicted under the state’s former laws will be eligible for financial redress up to $75,000.
This financial redress is the first of its kind in the nation, with $15,000 for charges, $45,000 for convictions & $75,000 for fines or gaol time." #auslaw #politas
qnews.com.au/tasmania-giv...
This financial redress is the first of its kind in the nation, with $15,000 for charges, $45,000 for convictions & $75,000 for fines or gaol time." #auslaw #politas
qnews.com.au/tasmania-giv...
Tasmania gives financial redress for victims of gay & cross-dressing laws
QNews LGBTIQA+ News
qnews.com.au
November 5, 2025 at 9:33 PM
"Tasmanians convicted under the state’s former laws will be eligible for financial redress up to $75,000.
This financial redress is the first of its kind in the nation, with $15,000 for charges, $45,000 for convictions & $75,000 for fines or gaol time." #auslaw #politas
qnews.com.au/tasmania-giv...
This financial redress is the first of its kind in the nation, with $15,000 for charges, $45,000 for convictions & $75,000 for fines or gaol time." #auslaw #politas
qnews.com.au/tasmania-giv...
Reposted by Alastair Lawrie
The Sackar review of the NSW Government's rushed and limited (it only prohibits inciting hatred based on race and some types of religion) inciting hatred laws is due to be handed to the Attorney General today.
Unclear when it will be publicly released. #nswpol #auslaw
dcj.nsw.gov.au/legal-and-ju...
Unclear when it will be publicly released. #nswpol #auslaw
dcj.nsw.gov.au/legal-and-ju...
Review of criminal law protections against the incitement of hatred
Information on the review of criminal law protections against the incitement of hatred
dcj.nsw.gov.au
November 4, 2025 at 10:42 PM
The Sackar review of the NSW Government's rushed and limited (it only prohibits inciting hatred based on race and some types of religion) inciting hatred laws is due to be handed to the Attorney General today.
Unclear when it will be publicly released. #nswpol #auslaw
dcj.nsw.gov.au/legal-and-ju...
Unclear when it will be publicly released. #nswpol #auslaw
dcj.nsw.gov.au/legal-and-ju...
"But in Darwin, Hobart and now Canberra, permanent, dedicated queer venues have disappeared from the nightlife scene altogether."
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
By the end of the year, three capital cities could have no queer clubs
For the LGBTQIA+ community, queer pubs and clubs can be an oasis. But in some capital cities they are vanishing.
www.abc.net.au
November 4, 2025 at 9:22 PM
"But in Darwin, Hobart and now Canberra, permanent, dedicated queer venues have disappeared from the nightlife scene altogether."
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...