Removing all discrimination from the Marriage Act to ensure that all people, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, can choose to marry will promote acceptance and the celebration of diversity, particularly among young people” – Anthony Cichello, APS President
The postal survey on same-sex marriage and resulting change to the Marriage Act has been a momentous time in our history, but also a period of intense emotion for many Australians, particularly Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) communities. Behind the elation felt and displayed upon the announcement of the survey outcome and parliamentary vote lay a range of experiences and feelings, including distress, discrimination, self-harm, division, relief, acceptance and joy.
Psychological research provides no evidence that would justify refusing same-sex partners the choice to marry, but there is ample evidence that such discrimination contributes significantly to the risk of mental ill-health among LGBTQI+ people, especially young people, and to creating or worsening social divisions in our society. To deny groups within Australian society access to legal marriage went against the human rights of LGBTQI+ people and the fundamental tenets of the APS Code of Ethics.
Marriage equality is one important step towards eliminating the discrimination faced by the LGBTQI+ community and towards full inclusion in our community. The ‘Yes’ survey outcome and subsequent strong parliamentary votes in both Houses should send a strong, unequivocal message to LGBTQI+ young people, adults and families that they are accepted in Australian society, that their love, relationships and families are valid, and that they belong. It is hoped that this affirmation will, in time, contribute to better mental health and wellbeing outcomes for all LGBTQI+ people and their families.
Recent research conducted with LGBTQI+ people across Australia confirmed that the vast majority experienced discrimination and distress during the postal survey. One survey found a doubling in LGBTQI+ respondents’ experiences of verbal and physical assaults in the three months following the announcement of the postal vote, as well as a significant increase in reports of depression, anxiety and stress (Ecker & Bennett, 2017). Almost all LGBTQI+ people said that the debate had a negative impact on them to some degree, while four in five respondents to a separate survey reported having been adversely affected by the process, and more than half thought the process wasn’t worthwhile even though the ‘Yes’ vote was successful (Dane, 2017).
While many respondents reported that they coped by avoiding situations associated with the debate (or people altogether), resilience was also evident with widespread participation in LGBTQI+ affirmative activities like attending marches, raising awareness or displaying ‘Yes’ or rainbow images (Ecker & Bennett, 2017).
APS response to the postal survey
The APS contributed to public discussions and provided support to psychologists and communities to reduce potential harm during and following the postal survey. The APS has long advocated for the full legal and social inclusion of LGBTQI+ people. This advocacy has involved collating evidence and contributing to public debate, particularly with regard to marriage equality, same-sex parenting, therapies designed to change sexual orientation, and more recently, gender-affirming mental health practices. The APS response resonated strongly with members and the wider community. Across social media platforms, the response reached nearly 100,000 people, gathered 1,000 ‘Likes’ and was shared more than 600 times.
The APS took the view that as a human rights issue, marriage equality should have been a matter for Australian law and our parliamentary system, not a popular vote. Research on the impacts of the Irish referendum campaign identified increased mental health risks linked to public votes about marriage equality, particularly stemming from fear campaigns and experiences of social exclusion (Dane, Short & Healy, 2016).
The APS President and Board provided strong leadership by making public statements on marriage equality. Working collaboratively with the Diverse Bodies, Sexualities and Genders Interest Group, the APS developed and disseminated three information sheets to inform debate and to support those most affected by the postal survey. These sheets have been modified for use following the change to the Marriage Act and cover the following:
- Communicating about marriage equality and related issues – raising awareness among the mainstream community about why it’s important to talk with family, friends and work colleagues about marriage equality and equipping people with the knowledge and skills to conduct respectful and fair discussions.
- Talking with children about marriage equality and related issues – encouraging children, parents and young people to discuss issues and concerns respectfully, and empowering people to challenge misleading or harmful information about marriage equality.
- Tips for psychologists working with LGBTQI+ people and communities during the marriage equality debate and beyond – raising awareness within the profession about the potentially detrimental impacts of the postal vote, the likely increased demand for psychological support services from members of the LGBTQI+ community, and tips for providing sensitive care (see inset below).
In recognition of the mixed feelings that followed the announcement of the postal survey result, the APS released a Psychlopaedia article 12 steps to take after the ‘Yes’ vote’
(http://bit.ly/2DJq3o1). A key message was encouraging the community to realise that not everyone who voted ‘no’ (38% of those who participated in the survey) is homophobic. There are many reasons why people might have voted no which have little to do with what they think about LGBTQI+ people, including religious convictions, misinformation, language barriers, fear of change, or fear of what else might change if the Marriage Act were to alter.
Ongoing support
Support post-survey for LGBTQI+ communities is required to promote recovery from the mental health impacts of the survey process and to work towards full inclusion, acceptance and equality. Psychologists have an important role to play in being sensitive to the needs and experiences of the community and advocating for social inclusion for all people.
Further resources
There are new APS resources dedicated to the issues around marriage equality, along with evidence-supported information on LGBTQI+ issues
Tips for psychologists working with LGBTQI+ people and communities
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- Anticipate that clients and their family might have experienced stress and distress in the context of public campaigns leading up to and immediately after the marriage equality vote and law change.
- Create a welcoming and inclusive environment in your organisation or practice (e.g., have resources that represent diverse family structures and display LGBTQI+ inclusive signs on your website and in waiting rooms).
- Use inclusive language and questions on your intake forms and signage that does not assume all people are heterosexual or identify with the sex and gender they were assigned at birth.
- Use sensitive questions to ask how your clients experienced the postal survey period and how they are now going. Some may have feelings of distress or stress, but not related it to any increased hostility and prejudice arising from the postal vote campaigns. Help your clients to acknowledge and normalise these feelings, and discuss good self-care with them.
- Recognise that LGBTQI+ people and their families face frequent harassment and discrimination and that this can lead to poorer mental health outcomes and to risk-taking behaviour, including self-harm. Discuss with them ways in which they can feel supported and enhance their safety.
- Encourage clients to stay connected with their social networks, supportive friends and family members. Despite having faced different struggles, LGBTQI+ communities have shown themselves to be resilient, nurturing and strong. This message in particular may need to be reinforced for younger people for whom such struggles may be new and hurtful.
- Develop a reflective practice. We all grow up with prejudices and it is important to regularly check-in, acknowledge and address them.
- Keep yourself informed. Consider whether you or your colleagues would benefit from any additional resources, professional development and/or supervision. Keep abreast of the social science research and use this information to empower your clients.
- Be a leader in your workplace. Challenge the assumptions and negative attitudes of others.
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