Thread by @LGBAlliance_Aus

We are LGB Alliance Australia and with great pride we stand shoulder to shoulder with many others asserting our rights as people with same-sex sexual orientation. We will align ourselves with the same aims and code of conduct as the LGB Alliance organisations elsewhere./1

Among us are mental health professionals, journalists, those who work with disadvantaged youth and in disability./2

We believe queer theory and identity politics are regressive in their approach to sexual orientation. Current gender identity theory, which redefines sexual orientation as based on gender and not sex, presents a fundamental threat to the hard-fought rights we have secured./3

In our view, gender identity theory is pseudo-scientific and is causing great harm and confusion, especially among children and vulnerable young people. We reject the notion that our sexual orientations are merely “genital preferences” which can be overcome./4

This has predominantly affected lesbians, who are told that to reject a male who identifies as a woman is “bigotry”./5

Gay men have increasingly been the target of similar sexual coercion, being pressured to accept female partners who identify as men. And bisexuals experience unique pressure to accept any partner regardless of attraction./6

Gay men have fought to be able to form relationships with other men without danger or abuse. Lesbians to be able to form relationships with other women, free from men’s advances. Bisexuals for visibility and understanding, and to be recognised on their own terms./7

And all have fought for LGB people to form relationships without stigma./8

We know biological sex is observed in utero or at birth, not arbitrarily assigned; it is immutable, objective and important. No child is born in the wrong body. Children should not be taught unscientific gender doctrines that rely on harmful and outdated stereotypes./9

We oppose experimental medical and surgical interventions for those under 18 and see a clear link between childhood transition and homophobia./10

We listen to organisations representing people with DSDs (“intersex” conditions) who oppose the co-opting of their groups to further other agendas. We will strongly resist this appropriation and will support DSD organisations advocating for their own interests./11

Detransitioners and those who have reidentified with their biological sex are too often silenced. We want to elevate their voices and stories. We will also highlight empirical research on the multiple reasons for the recent surge in numbers of young people with gender issues./12

Censorship and suppression have played a key role in our historical fight for liberation as lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. These experiences makes us keenly aware of the power of respectful freedom of speech and informed dialogue./13

In Australia, the issue of respectful freedom of speech and informed dialogue feels particularly pressing. We will promote civil, positive dialogue and will remain non-partisan./14

LGB Alliance Australia will not accept support or funding from any organisation that does not share our values or whose aims we consider to be fundamentally hostile to the rights of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals, or which does not support women’s reproductive rights.15/15