It is my pleasure to speak out at today’s Youth Sexuality and Gender Diversity Event as part of the annual Canberra SpringOut Festival. Today, we are here to celebrate the contributions to our community from young people aged 12 – 25 who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex and to raise awareness of the issues they may experience.

We all know that the transition from childhood to adulthood is a time that brings challenges and triumphs. A time to test the boundaries. And a time to develop an understanding of the complexities of adulthood. For young people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex, this transition can be difficult. We know that homophobia, discrimination, violence and family disputes are confronted by our young people. We were reminded about this insidious discrimination from a story in yesterday’s media.

Hannah Williams, a student at Grammar School in Melbourne reported that she had been told she couldn’t attend the school’s dance with her girlfriend, and she was asked to bring a male guest instead. A few weeks later, Hannah reported that she was also told that she couldn’t bring her girlfriend to the school formal, and told to invite a male partner. As a result, Hannah did not attend the dance or the formal – those important milestones in a young girl’s life. In fact, she moved to a Government School.

While an initial complaint was made to the Equal Opportunity Commission, it was later withdrawn because of the stress on Hannah. For Hannah, the damage had already been done. This type of discrimination is unacceptable in our community. Yes Hannah and her girlfriend are young. But policy makers and administrators would be ignorant if they think teenagers are not sexual beings. All young people should feel they can participate in a school activity regardless of whether they identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual or heterosexual.

Governments and communities both have a role to ensure that people are not discriminated against or penalised in any way because of gender identity or sexual orientation: Governments, because this is a matter of human rights; and communities, because we can encourage and support a young person’s individual choice, and we can make opportunities to empower them and provide and encourage social acceptance and engagement in the wider community.

All of us can be agents of change in the way we speak and act. By this, I mean we can make it our business to help to reduce homophobia, intolerance, prejudice and discrimination based on perceptions associated with sexual orientation and gender identity. These attitudinal changes in society take time. The legislation has provided the building blocks of this change and I am proud that the ACT is showing leadership on these matters: - by introducing the Civil Unions Bill which is now law - by introducing the Human Rights Act in 2004 - the first bill of rights in Australia. This legislation is fundamental to achieving a vision of an inclusive and fair community. A community where everyone can have the opportunity to grow and to reach their potential.

I look forward to hearing about the outcome of today’s forum, your shared experiences, and how our community should tackle issues of identity and social isolation. So that we can support young people like Hannah - finding their voice, being courageous, participating in the community, at every level and in every field.