Speaking Out: Stopping Homophobic and Transphobic Abuse in Queensland

Alan Berman & Shirleene Robinson

Based on the largest survey of gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersex, transgender and queer reactions to violence and harassment ever undertaken in Australia, this book gives voice to the many victims who have suffered in the state once recognised as Australia's most homophobic. It tells of the barriers people face in dealing with the legal system, the reasons why some do not report their experiences , and the complex historical, religious and educational factors affecting the perpetuation of homophobia across the country. Most importantly it provides a roadmap forward for all Australian legislative, policing, and judicial jurisdictions via a wide ranging set of recommendations, from the individual's understanding of their rights and responsibilities, to the responses of police, legal professionals and judicial officers.

About the Authors

Dr Alan Berman is a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Newcastle.

Shirleene Robinson is a Senior Lecturer in History at Bond University. Together they have conducted more work on homophobia in Queensland than any other researchers and have worked successfully together and separately in the past on a range of projects and published texts on historical, legal and social issues surrounding sexuality.

FOREWORD

This important book draws attention to the social problems all too often  faced by members of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and  queer (LGBTIQ) community. However, Speaking Out is highly relevant to  Queenslanders in general, and indeed all Australians. During 2009, Dr  Shirleene Robinson and Dr Alan Berman gathered almost 1100 survey  responses from members of the LGBTIQ community in Queensland aged  over 18 years. The responses described personal experiences of homophobic  and transphobic abuse, harassment and violence over lifetimes and,  disturbingly, more recently. An overwhelming majority of respondents  reported experiences of homophobic or transphobic abuse and harassment  during their lifetimes, and 53% reported experiencing harassment  or violence in the past two years.

The impressive sample size of the  Robinson–Berman survey demonstrates their commitment and perseverance  as researchers. It also demonstrates the generosity and determination  of the LGBTIQ community members who came forward in such numbers  to share with the wider community their personal and distressing life  experiences. The data gathered in the survey were supplemented by other  useful qualitative data provided by seven focus groups conducted by the  researchers across Queensland, the most decentralised and fast-growing  of Australian states. Focus groups met not just in metropolitan Brisbane,  but also from Cairns to the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, from Toowoomba  to Townsville and in central Queensland’s Rockhampton. The Robinson–  Berman survey is the most comprehensive research into homophobic and  transphobic abuse, harassment and violence yet undertaken in any  Australian jurisdiction.

But Speaking Out is not just a book of highly  informative statistics. It is a book about the humanity of the respondents.  I commend them, particularly those in the various focus groups, for their  courage and generosity in sharing their stories with us. This book should  convince all Australians that abuse, harassment and violence motivated  by homophobia or transphobia remain a distasteful and unacceptable aspect of our society. We must do better. The recommendations in the final  chapter of Speaking Out suggest ways in which we might. I am confident  that governments in Australia, and throughout the world, will take note of  this book and its recommendations in developing social policies and programs  to address LGBTIQ harassment, abuse, violence and community  exclusion. Speaking Out will help ensure our community is one where  LGBTIQ members are not outsiders but true equals, free to reach their  potential without prejudice and empowered to make their unique, full and  rich community contribution. 

The Honourable Justice Margaret A. McMurdo AC 

President, Queensland Court of Appeal 

Table of Contents

Foreword

List of Tables

List of Figures

Acknowledgments

Introduction

CHAPTER 1 Demographics of Respondents

CHAPTER 2 Experiencing Homophobic and Transphobic Violence and Harassment Over a Lifetime

CHAPTER 3 Experiencing Homophobic and Transphobic Violence and Harassment Within the Past Two Years

CHAPTER 4 Profiles of Perpetrators

CHAPTER 5 Seeking Help

CHAPTER 6 The Unreported Incidents of Homophobic and Transphobic Violence and Harassment

CHAPTER 7 The Police and Police Liaison Officers

CHAPTER 8 Experiences With the Judicial Process

CHAPTER 9 Perceptions of Homophobia and Transphobia and Behaviour Modification

CHAPTER 10 From Despair to Hope: Recommendations

Appendix 1

Bibliography

Index

www.australianacademicpress.com.au

    RRP $34.95
    ISBN:9781921513602
    AAP Item Number: 4-921513602
    274 pages softcover including Index
    First published 2010

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