The proposed bill will further limit the ability for schools and religious organisations to discriminate based on sexuality, gender identity and marital status.
Religious organisations and schools will now only be able to make employment decisions based on a person’s religious beliefs if it’s relevant to the job.
Co-convener of Out in the Open Festival Damien Stevens-Todd said the new legislation supported the LGBTQIA+ community.
“People have felt pressure to leave their jobs, students in those schools have had their self-worth damaged,” he said.
“I totally accept and support any club or group or organisation ... having a code or having rules, but when those rules discriminate, hurt and go against the very core of an individual, then that’s not okay.”
If the religious organisation or school receives government funding to provide services, then it cannot discriminate in the provision of those services based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The legislation follows the introduction of specific protection for intersex people against discrimination in the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said the new measures continued to protect everyone from discrimination.
“Every Victorian deserves to live without fear of discrimination – regardless of who they are or who they love,” she said.
Mr Stevens-Todd said for the members of the LGBTQIA+ community that grew up in a religious environment, coming out would mean leaving their support network behind.
He said ensuring they could not be discriminated against meant they wouldn’t lose their loved ones in that process.
“I just think that is sometimes the missing narrative,” he said.
“People still think being gay is a choice, and (they can) just hide it or just stop it or just don’t mention it at school.”
As part of the Out in the Open Festival, individual coming out stories will be brought to listeners in podcast and radio form to mark 40 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
Mr Stevens-Todd said the stories told in ‘Think About It? Did It!’ showcase the experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“There is some real hurt and pain shared in these stories, which in turn, as part of Out in the Open as we celebrate 10 years, provide some therapy,” he said.
“These voices, these stories, these individuals who had to live in the shadows, who had to remain in the closet for safety and sanity, are champions.”
The first instalment of ‘Think About It? Did It!’ was broadcast on Thursday night on One FM and is available on Soundcloud.
Out in the Open Festival is holding both in-person and online events over the next two weekends, and wraps up on Sunday, November 7.
Its biggest event, Carnival Day, will be hosted online on Saturday, November 6.
Visit Out in the Open on Facebook or outintheopen.org.au for more information.
