A Pastor at Activate Church, Brad Chilcott, and Equality Australia are calling on the Morrison Government to include affected communities in consultations regarding the Government’s proposed Religious Discrimination Bill.

“Faith-based communities who proactively embrace LGBTQ people need to be heard in this consultation. Our inclusion of LGBTQ people is part of our faith, founded on love and acceptance, not despite it”, said Pastor Brad Chilcott.

“It is critical that the Government reaches beyond the loudest voices, and genuinely listens to those who will be impacted by this law in possibly unanticipated ways.

“There are Christians whose employment could be at risk as they express their faith in an inclusive way. It is important that the diverse views of people of faith are considered as the Bill is designed” concluded Pastor Chilcott.

Equality Australia Director of Legal Advocacy, Lee Carnie, said “Every lesbian, gay, bi, trans or queer person should be safe to practice their faith if this law is passed. We need to get the balance right.

“Anti-discrimination laws should only ever be a shield for protection.

“The Government must meet with all those communities who will be affected by this Bill.

“There is no question that our laws should ensure that all people are protected from discrimination. LGBTIQ+ communities have too often experienced the harmful effects of discrimination, so we stand with people of faith in their calls for greater protection under the law.

“During the election the Morrison Government committed to ‘consult with LGBTIQ+ organisations across the broad range of policy areas affecting LGBTIQ+ Australians’. We are calling on the Government to honour that commitment now” said Lee Carnie.