As ACT Chief Minister, I’ve worked tirelessly to help make Canberra a place where everyone feels included, especially our LGBTQIA+ community. We want our city to stand out as a progressive and welcoming place, recognised across Australia for our leadership in advancing LGBTQIA+ rights.

Key Achievements at a Glance:

• 1994: We became the first jurisdiction in Australia to legally recognise same-sex couples (Domestic Relationships Act).
• 2004: We passed the Human Rights Act and other legislation to protect LGBTQIA+ individuals.
• 2013: We passed the Marriage Equality Bill, making the ACT the first in Australia to legislate for same-sex marriage (though later challenged and nullified by the High Court).
• 2017: The ACT recorded the highest "YES" vote (74%) in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey.
• 2019: Strengthen discrimination laws to protect LGBTIQ+ students and teachers in educational institutions. 
• 2020: Banned Sexuality and Gender Identity Conversion Practices. 
• 2023: Passed Australian-first legislation to protect the rights of intersex individuals by banning unnecessary medical interventions on intersex children until they can decide for themselves.

Nation Leading Reforms

Our journey towards making Canberra the capital of equality has been led by our queer community, and as a Government we are proud to stand with them and progress nation leading reforms. One of the most significant achievements during my time in office was the passage of legislation to legalise same-sex marriage in 2013. This was a bold move that placed the ACT at the forefront of the national conversation on marriage equality.

It was ACT Labor that set important precedents in LGBTQIA+ advocacy in the nation's capital. Back in 1994, we became the first jurisdiction in Australia to legally recognise same-sex couples with the passage of the Domestic Relationships Act. 

This was just the beginning. Through the early 2000s, we passed a series of laws, including the Human Rights Act 2004, to reinforce legal protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

But we know that equality isn’t just about passing laws—it’s about creating a community where everyone feels safe and proud to be who they are. ACT Labor wants Canberra to be a place where everybody has the right to be proud of who they are. A place where we feel welcome, included and safe.

Addressing Ongoing Challenges

I didn’t come out until after I finished university. I had known I was gay as a teenager but didn’t feel safe talking about it. I hope that young people now feel differently. And while we’ve made progress, there’s still more to be done.

The fight for LGBTQIA+ equality is far from over, especially when it comes to supporting community members who may face multiple forms of discrimination. For those who are LGBTQIA+ and also part of other marginalised groups—such as Indigenous people, those with disabilities, or those from multicultural backgrounds—the challenges are even greater.

Healthcare, aged care, and housing are still areas where LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds, face significant barriers. I’m determined to keep working in these areas to make sure all Canberrans, regardless of their identity, have access to the support and services they need.

We are always working hard to make sure that no matter your sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, you have equal legal rights, you are protected against discrimination, and that you feel safe and proud to be you.

Our Commitment 

Canberra’s transformation into the capital of equality has been driven by the choices we’ve made together. From passing nation leading legislation to protecting LGBTQIA+ rights, to addressing ongoing challenges and responding to hate, ACT Labor has always worked to improve the wellbeing of our LGBTQIA+ community.

As your Chief Minister, I’m committed to making Canberra a place where everyone is valued, visible, and respected. As the fight for equality continues, I’ll keep working to ensure that Canberra remains the capital of equality for years to come.