Brotherboys, sistergirls and LGBT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Brotherboys, sistergirls and other LGBT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience a number of significant and intersecting points of discrimination and marginalisation in Australia.

The Commission’s Resilient Individuals: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Intersex Rights report considered the intersecting issues of racism, homophobia and transphobia faced by these communities. No information was received about intersex issues.

Participants involved in consultations for the report raised some of the following issues:

• There is significant diversity amongst LGBT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Experiences of racism, discrimination and isolation
• Difficulties in maintaining cultural ties and family support as well as recognition of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity. There were particular difficulties in areas where gendered cultural initiation processes could not accommodate an individual’s gender expression.
• The historical underrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in research on LGBT issues
• Little investigation into the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, recognising the importance of connection to land, culture, spirituality, ancestry, family and community and how these affect the individual
• The gap between Aboriginal specific service provision and service provision that accommodates for broader LGBT populations
• The need for a national action plan to meet the needs of an ever growing population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who identify as being LGBT

Read more about the Commission’s work on Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Social Justice.

Read more about the Commission’s work on SOGIESC issues.