Reason condemns the vile and unnecessary hate speech being directed at trans people during this election, and during the preceding debates around marriage equality and religious freedom.

For too many electoral cycles, minority communities have been thrown under the bus by the desperate LNP in a bid to maintain power.

We call on all political candidates to focus debate on policy, not leveraging vulnerable communities and causing continued harm to marginalised groups.

The trans community are not a wedge to be used for political gain and have better things to do with their time than solve the LNP’s internal identity crisis.

If you are out there on your own, dealing with the hateful government discussions around your very existence, you are not alone. Reach out to your local trans organisations. Don’t maintain isolation in such a difficult time. Reason works hard to maintain a safe space for trans people.

Transhub: https://www.transhub.org.au

You can contact ACON about accessing these services at: aconhealth.org.au/intake_form

Beyond Blue Phone service: 1300 224 636

Qlife Phone service: 1800 184 527

Discharged An online peer-led Alternatives to Suicide support group for trans people of all genders across Australia. https://www.discharged.org.au

Sane Australia - Phone service: 1800 187 263

Brother to Brother Support line for Aboriginal men including Brotherboys. Support around relationships, family violence, parenting, communication, connection and COVID-19. Phone service: 1800 435 799