Protect us from discriminationin NSW
Protect Us from hate in NSW
Queer and trans people understand the harm that hate causes, and we know all too well what it’s like to fear for our safety.
Anti-LGBTIQ+ hate is rising across the country and in NSW there have recently been reports of physical violence, online harassment and attacks on libraries and councils, as well as queer venues and events.
In 2025, the NSW Government missed the chance to protect us when it created a new criminal offence for intentionally inciting racial hatred.
Instead, it announced a 6-month review into how protections could be expanded to other attributes such as sexuality and gender identity in the future.
Now, we need your help to make sure the NSW Government finally stands with us in the fight against hate.
Will you sign the petition calling on the NSW Government to stand up against hate?
Religious discrimination
In a state like NSW, our laws should protect all of us, equally.
Yet LGBTQ+ people and the people who love, support and affirm us are discriminated against by religious schools and service providers every day.
NSW has the worst laws in the country when it comes to the exemptions that allow discrimination against LGBTQ+ students and staff as they include both religious and private schools.
Outdated provisions and gaps in our laws mean many LGBTIQA+ people in NSW have no protection if they suffer discrimination.
A review of NSW anti-discrimination law is currently underway with findings expected later this year.
Equality Australia has made a submission to this inquiry and will continue to work to ensure that we are all protected, equally.
Tell us your story of discrimination in religious schools
Equality Bill
In 2024, NSW Parliament passed the largest package of LGBTIQA+ reforms in the state’s history.
The Bill’s passage brought NSW into the 21st century by:
- Removing cruel and unnecessary barriers to gender recognition
- Protecting our community from unique forms of violence, including threats to 'out' a person's sexual orientation, gender history, HIV+ status or sex work
- Parentage orders for overseas commercial surrogacy can be granted
- Allowing better recognition of rainbow families - and more.
We will update you as this law comes into effect late this year.
Conversion ban
In early 2024, legislation was passed banning LGBTQA+ conversion practices in NSW, saving countless people from a lifetime of pain and in some cases saving lives.
It also provided redress to survivors through a civil pathway and made it illegal to take someone out of NSW to undergo a conversion practice.
To make a complaint about a conversion practice, contact Anti-Discrimination NSW.
