Cairns community ‘completely against’ religious freedom bill

The Cairns community including two Bishops, a school worker and a trans woman share their concerns about what the now shelved religious freedom bill would have meant.

A CAIRNS resident has slammed the Federal Government’s now discarded religious freedom laws as letting down the whole community and endangering those it should be protecting.

However, after passing the lower house early on Thursday morning, the contentious bill was shelved after Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said “concerns have been raised” as the wording of the MP’s amendment left students open to discrimination on the basis of sex, breastfeeding or intersex status.”

Pflag Cairns representative Melinda Johnston, said the organisation which is a support network for parents and friends of lesbian, gay, transgender, intersex and queer loved ones, is “completely against” the bill.

“I don’t see hate as a choice,” she said.

“Pflag Cairns is completely against it, this bill lets down everyone, especially the trans folk.

“While the bill has had some changes in regards to sexual identity, trans people have been let down and they have so many challenges already.”

Ms Johnston said her son, 22, came out seven years ago.

She is worried that while the government said it will also amend the Sex Discrimination Act to prevent gay students being expelled by religious schools similar protections for transgender students will be considered after a review by the Australian Law Reform Commission.

“I work at a local state school and these need to remain a safe and supportive environment,” she said.

“There’s a lot of people in the community who don’t understand how dangerous this bill is to young people.”

Cairns trans woman Sharm Giles called the proposed religious freedom bill, “a return to the dark days.” Picture: Supplied

Cairns trans woman Sharm Giles called the bill, “a return to the dark days.”

“This bill (would’ve made) us less equal,” Ms Giles said. “Religious organisations are already protected, they don’t need more protection but LGBTI people do.”

Ms Giles said she would be joining a group meeting outside Federal MP Warren Entsch’s office at 8am on Friday to bring attention to the bill’s shortcomings.

“I think he’s always been a very good candidate for the LGBTI community,” she said.

“But we also want to let the other politicians know that the Cairns community is unhappy with this bill.”

Bishop of North Queensland, the Very Reverend Dr Keith Joseph said they welcomed all students and staff at their four Anglican schools in the region and no-one would be asked to leave based on their gender or sexual identity. Picture: Supplied

The Bishop of North Queensland, The Right Reverend Dr Keith Joseph said no matter what the bill says, there would be no discrimination shown within the Anglican community,

“We have four schools and have no intention to take any action other than to welcome LGBTI students and staff,” he said.

“Our schools are run on the Anglican ethos of ‘love God and your neighbour,’ so not welcoming students or employ staff because they are LGBTI is counter to this.

“This bill needs to be a shield not a sword, it must protect people and allow them to proclaim their faith without fear, but not to impose their faith on others.”

Bishop James Foley said his community is very accepting of all people as long as the respect works in both directions. Picture: Stewart McLean

Catholic Diocese of Cairns, Bishop James Foley, said his community is very accepting of people as long as integrity and respect goes both ways.

“We would never exclude a student or a person joining the staff of a school, hospital or aged care facility on the basis on their sexuality,” he said.

“But once a person joined the organisation it is not unreasonable that they would not speak against the values and philosophy of that organisation.”

Originally published as Cairns community ‘completely against’ religious freedom bill