4th February 2025
Earlier last month, US President Trump made a deeply troubling statement during his inauguration that sent shockwaves through our LGBTIQA+ community:
“It will henceforth be the official policy of the United States Government that there are only two genders, male and female.”
This is more than just a policy shift – it’s an attack on the rights of transgender, intersex and non-binary people. By pushing to dismantle diversity initiatives and enforce a strict, binary understanding of gender, these actions directly threaten the autonomy, dignity and rights of everyone in our diverse LGBTIQA+ community.
But despite these harmful moves, we will not be erased. We are here. We always have been. Our existence is not a trend, it’s woven into the fabric of society. Efforts to silence us only reinforce the need for continued advocacy toward a more inclusive world.
Meta’s recent decision to remove protections for LGBTIQA+ users from hate speech and end fact-checking of political content is similarly concerning. This rollback opens the door for harmful disinformation – for example, content falsely linking LGBTIQA+ identities with mental illness and other dangerous stereotypes – to spread unchecked.
As platforms like Meta and X (formerly Twitter) become increasingly unreliable in safeguarding marginalised voices, JOY’s role as a trusted, independent source for truthful and respectful queer storytelling has never been more critical. Where other platforms fail, JOY continues to provide a safe, supportive space for our community’s stories to be heard without distortion or hate.
In the face of such challenges, there is always hope and progress. Just last month, Thailand made a historic leap by enacting its same-sex marriage law, marking a major milestone for LGBTIQA+ rights in Southeast Asia. This victory shows that, despite setbacks, love and equality continue to break barriers. Thailand’s example proves that change is possible, reinforcing our resolve to keep pushing for global equality.
On Sunday we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Pride March and we reflected on the first Pride March in 1996. Back then, Melbourne’s LGBTIQA+ community took to the streets in a powerful display of pride and solidarity, with over 11,000 people marching along St Kilda’s Fitzroy Street, declaring they would no longer be silenced. That first Pride March wasn’t just a parade – it was a bold statement that our community deserved to be seen, heard and respected. It was a declaration of our right to exist authentically, love freely and live without fear.
Thirty years later, that same spirit of visibility, pride and resistance still guides us. On Sunday we came together, not only to celebrate our progress, but to remind the world that the fight for equality is ongoing and that every person, no matter their identity, deserves to be recognised and treated with dignity and respect.
Pride March is about visibility. It’s about showing the world who we are: fabulous, loved, diverse and unapologetically proud. It’s an opportunity to unite as a community – in solidarity and celebration for those who can’t be with us and for those still fighting for their rights, recognition and safety.
Thirty years later, we’re still here – still visible, still proud and still advocating for the rights and dignity of all LGBTIQA+ people. The journey isn’t over, but every step we take strengthens our collective voice and brings us closer to a more inclusive society.
At JOY, we remain steadfast in our commitment to building a more inclusive and compassionate Australia. For over three decades, we’ve amplified the voices of our community, advocated for equality and ensured that the lived experiences of our people are heard, respected and celebrated.
Our purpose is simple: to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality or identity, can live authentically – free from discrimination or marginalisation. Together, we continue to work toward a future where our rights are not only recognised, but fully embraced as an integral part of our society.
We believe in a world where every person can be treated fairly and live with dignity, respect and love – and we will continue to fight for that vision, every day.
Con Keramitsis & Madeleine Swain
JOY Interim CEO and JOY President & Chair