LGBTI chat - 25 October 2010

Full transcript of webchat on LGBTI issues, 25 October 2010:

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: Hi, it's Nick here (the Minister). Happy to take questions on LGBTI issues, inclusion, diversity .....
10 25 2010 17:37:44 pm

joshie: G'day Mr McKim,
10 25 2010 17:38:11 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: G'day Joshie
10 25 2010 17:38:59 pm

joshie: I go to a catholic school where i get into trouble for putting gay rights ads in y school newsletter,,,any suggestions on how to spread awareness in my school without the support from the school itself? cheers
10 25 2010 17:39:09 pm

Damian: Minister McKim, when ever the words GLBTI and equality come up the discussion it always leads to marriage. I'm aware of the governments stance on this issue. Do you feel that equality is being met currently for the GLBTI community ?
10 25 2010 17:40:50 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Joshie....that's a terrible situation. Without knowing the details it's a bit hard to know what to suggest. TGLRG may be able to offer advice on this one, otherwise feel free to contact my office if you'd like tio discuss in more detail and a bit less publicly. Good luck!
10 25 2010 17:43:35 pm

Guest-330: Hey Nick, it's Brayden here from Outright Youth, are you attending the rainbow dinner this year? I was just wandering about the progress the parliament is making on the same sex marriage issue?
10 25 2010 17:44:14 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Damian...things have improved a long way in the last ten or fifteen years, but there's still a way to go. Marriage equality is not on the Attorney-Gerneral's agenda, but it's certainly on mine! I will table my Bills again, probably early next year.
10 25 2010 17:46:11 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ 330...see my previous reply, and yes, I am going to the Rainbow Dinner again this year. It should be a good night as it always is!
10 25 2010 17:47:14 pm

Guest-330: Joshie, I'm a representative for Outright Youth. We are trying to get into all schools in tassie. We basically have a contact teacher who which is there if you ever have any questions or need somebody to talk to, most commonly they are social workers. We also get an Outright youth representative in the school (student) who is there for you to relate to basically, and just there for support, but do not supply counceling. If you maybe wanted Outright Youth in your school, i could have a talk with someone about it.
10 25 2010 17:47:35 pm

Damian: @330 do you have contact details?
10 25 2010 17:49:23 pm

Guest-330: For outright youth?
10 25 2010 17:49:37 pm

joshie: oh i dont need the support myself but a few of my friends are struggling with maintaining the respect of the school on top of respecting their own sexuality...i'm not a fan of the catholic education system.
10 25 2010 17:50:40 pm

Guest-330: Well if you like, I could try and get somebody into your school. Or maybe give your friends someone to contact.
10 25 2010 17:52:15 pm

Damian: @330 Yes, should I just direct queries to anyone at COPP?
10 25 2010 17:52:15 pm

Guest-781: afternoon minister
10 25 2010 17:52:19 pm

Guest-781: hi all i am scott ryan the outright youth corrdinator
10 25 2010 17:52:51 pm

Guest-330: It would be good to get in contact with Julian Punch or Scott Ryan, speak of the devil
10 25 2010 17:53:00 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: Hey guys, I should let you know about something...the Greens were able to secure some money in this year's state budget for research and programs to assist to reduce discrimination against LGBTI people and to improve Tasmanians acceptance of the LGBTI community. More info out in late November.
10 25 2010 17:53:00 pm

Guest-781: that is good about the money
10 25 2010 17:53:44 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: Good afternoon Scott.
10 25 2010 17:53:53 pm

Guest-330: Thats quite a good achievment
10 25 2010 17:53:53 pm

Guest-781: afternoon nick \
10 25 2010 17:54:12 pm

Guest-330: Hey Scotty, it's Brayden
10 25 2010 17:54:12 pm

Guest-781: hello brayden
10 25 2010 17:54:23 pm

joshie: what is youth outright?
10 25 2010 17:54:43 pm

Guest-781: outright youth is a youth group that works with schools and colleges in tas
10 25 2010 17:55:15 pm

joshie: to do..?
10 25 2010 17:55:27 pm

Damian: Thankyou for answering my question Minister and for also hosting these events. and Thanks for telling me about Youth Ourright guys. Sounds like a great thing to be a part of. Evening.
10 25 2010 17:55:30 pm

Guest-781: we are also planing social events for the youth too
10 25 2010 17:55:31 pm

Guest-330: I was just talking to Joshie and Damian about outright youth, and Joshie said that some of his friends are finding it difficult at their catholic school. What can we do for them?
10 25 2010 17:56:11 pm

Guest-781: we help with all glbti problems we are mentors for the sudents ]
10 25 2010 17:56:13 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: Thanks guys, more info on the grants process will be at www.dpac.tas.gov.au in November.
10 25 2010 17:56:33 pm

Guest-330: ]
10 25 2010 17:56:33 pm

Guest-781: we can go in to the school and help
10 25 2010 17:56:59 pm

Guest-330: What do you think about that Joshie?
10 25 2010 17:57:21 pm

Guest-781: ppl can email me at [email address withheld]
10 25 2010 17:57:35 pm

Guest-781: and we can go to the schools
10 25 2010 17:57:45 pm

Damian: will do.
10 25 2010 17:57:48 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Damian, these events are great. A real chance for me to listen to people that I otherwise might not hear from.
10 25 2010 17:58:06 pm

Guest-330: It is a very good idea Nick.
10 25 2010 17:58:44 pm

Guest-781: it goes for all minister
10 25 2010 17:58:45 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: Good to see some real networking and contacts being made!
10 25 2010 17:58:54 pm

joshie: Mr McKim, I am still waiting for that coffee with you! haha (work experience kid)
10 25 2010 17:59:46 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: OK Joshie, drop me an email at minister.mckim@dpac.tas.gov.au and we'll line it up.
10 25 2010 18:01:09 pm

Guest-781: i would also like to sit down and have a coffee with you too minister
10 25 2010 18:02:09 pm

Guest-330: Well maybe, the minister could organise coffee with those interested in discussing some stuff in person, with the people on here. Just so he doesnt have to have lots of single ones, im sure he is a busy man.
10 25 2010 18:03:40 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @781 and 330, happy to meet with outright youth. pls email the same address and that's the last coffee I'm signing up for this evening!
10 25 2010 18:04:33 pm

Guest-781: yes that is a good idea brayden a round table meet and coffee afternoon
10 25 2010 18:04:34 pm

Guest-781: lol
10 25 2010 18:04:56 pm

toby: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand back to the topic. what are the barriers in the way of gay marriage? i hear most of tassies mp's are in favour?
10 25 2010 18:05:22 pm

Guest-330: I'll leave you to do that Scotty.
10 25 2010 18:05:58 pm

Guest-781: we will see what nick has to say first
10 25 2010 18:06:51 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ toby, I'm not sure about all MPs personal views but marriage equality has been voted on along party lines in the past. I've previously called for conscience votes but to no avail.
10 25 2010 18:07:20 pm

Guest-330: Are peopele scared to support this issue Nick?
10 25 2010 18:07:59 pm

Guest-781: that is what i was going to ask
10 25 2010 18:08:20 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: re a round table and/or coffee, if you guys email that address with suggestions we will pull something together.
10 25 2010 18:08:33 pm

toby: would conscience votes work in socialist favour?
10 25 2010 18:08:53 pm

Guest-781: yes would they
10 25 2010 18:09:05 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: I think some MPs are too scared, but when you look at the opinion polls on the issue there's nothing to be scared of....and it's the right thing to do of course.
10 25 2010 18:09:28 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ toby....conscience votes would lead to more votes for marriage equality I think, but whether that would be enough I'm not sure.
10 25 2010 18:10:23 pm

Guest-781: so what did you think of the submisson minister?
10 25 2010 18:11:08 pm

Guest-330: I dont see an issue with it at all, I mean its not like its going to affect the fiancial side of things, it wont hurt the community either.
10 25 2010 18:11:18 pm

toby: i dont understand why liberals are against it? how does it hurt them?
10 25 2010 18:11:23 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ 781....what submission is that?
10 25 2010 18:12:10 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ toby....I don't know, maybe you should email Will Hodgman and ask him!
10 25 2010 18:12:41 pm

Guest-781: the one julian punch sent you on befalf of me
10 25 2010 18:12:58 pm

Guest-330: How do you get his email?
10 25 2010 18:13:10 pm

Guest-781: he is on facebook brayden look in my friends
10 25 2010 18:13:38 pm

Guest-330: Your friends with Will Hodgman? puzzled face
10 25 2010 18:14:02 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ 781.... I only received it today but I'll take a look at it this week.
10 25 2010 18:14:11 pm

Guest-781: yes he is brayden long story
10 25 2010 18:14:28 pm

Guest-781: okay minister
10 25 2010 18:14:39 pm

Guest-330: Hmmmmm I'll take a look
10 25 2010 18:14:44 pm

Guest-781: where is every one from in the state?
10 25 2010 18:18:04 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @781, I'm from Hobart.
10 25 2010 18:19:08 pm

Guest-781: 330 is from hobart
10 25 2010 18:19:39 pm

toby: HOBART
10 25 2010 18:20:37 pm

Joshie: hobart
10 25 2010 18:20:49 pm

Guest-781: okay
10 25 2010 18:20:52 pm

toby: "How to promote diversity, equal rights and representation for everyone"
10 25 2010 18:23:25 pm

Guest-781: what do you mean by that toby?
10 25 2010 18:24:04 pm

Minister for Commmunity Development Nick McKim: @toby or anyone, and further ideas on how to do that?
10 25 2010 18:24:10 pm

Guest-781: well we need some sort of stragie that we can put in place in high schools
10 25 2010 18:25:50 pm

Guest-781: in tas
10 25 2010 18:25:53 pm

Guest-330: And Colleges
10 25 2010 18:26:40 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @781...I agree. That's the kind of thing that we can fund from the $ I was posting about earlier.
10 25 2010 18:27:14 pm

toby: make sure you get to the catholic schools!
10 25 2010 18:27:15 pm

Guest-781: we will get to every school in the state catholic schools if you would like to let me know schools email or call men [phone and email withheld]
10 25 2010 18:28:33 pm

Guest-781: and we will add it to our list of schools
10 25 2010 18:29:20 pm

Guest-330: What school are you at Toby?
10 25 2010 18:29:42 pm

Guest-781: sorry about that all
10 25 2010 18:30:18 pm

Guest-781: yes
10 25 2010 18:30:39 pm

Guest-330: We would like to help
10 25 2010 18:31:06 pm

toby: I am part of the school's leadership team and i will pass on your details to my deputy principle who will contact you if necessary thanks for that
10 25 2010 18:31:38 pm

toby: he takes on this kind of stuff for our team
10 25 2010 18:32:04 pm

Guest-781: okokay toby that would be great to hear from him
10 25 2010 18:33:03 pm

Guest-781:
10 25 2010 18:33:23 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: OK all, I have to go...off to a dinner on Tasmania's Antarctic future. Thanks for joining in. Don't forget TasPride from 30 Oct to 14 Nov.... check out www.taspride.com
10 25 2010 18:34:11 pm

Guest-781: okay
10 25 2010 18:34:32 pm

Guest-781: have fun thanks for your time
10 25 2010 18:35:16 pm

Guest-330: sweet as, it's very much appreciated Nick
10 25 2010 18:35:25 pm