SAME-SEX marriage would send a message of acceptance and equality to gay and lesbian youth, two Warrnambool social workers said.
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Brophy Family & Youth Services youth project co-ordinator Lyn Eales said the introduction of marriage equality would make a huge difference to homosexual young people.
“I think it would be incredible,” Ms Eales said of the potential positive impact.
“It’s about acceptance and equal rights - that’s the message legalising same-sex marriage sends.
“We live in a world where we try to promote acceptance and it’s slightly embarrassing how far behind (Australia is).
“Every day you jump on social media and another country has (legalised same-sex marriage).”
Brophy has a number of projects and groups that support homosexual and transgender youth and promote acceptance and awareness.
These include Warrnambool’s YUMCHA group and the similar Skittles group in Portland, as well as school visits and the SSAFE (Same Sex Attracted Friendly Environment) in the South-West project.
SSAFE in the South-West project worker Shane Hernan said legalisation of same-sex marriage was a matter of human rights.
“It’s the recognition,” Mr Hernan said.
“It would have a flow-on effect because it would recognise we’re no longer second class.
“(Homosexuality) would be more accepted if it had support from a political stance, and hopefully reduce the number of suicides and self-harm rates in the gay and lesbian community.”
The YUMCHA (Youth United Making Change against Homophobic Attitudes) group has been in Warrnambool for 11 years and Ms Eales said its focus had slowly shifted “to reflect the changing community”.
“We find we’re supporting more transgender young people (than same-sex-attracted people),” she said.
“In our eyes it’s quite exciting that young people who are same-sex-attracted are supported by their friends and family. That’s fantastic.
“The more it becomes common, the much better place it will be.
“Society’s changing and that’s fantastic.
“The support for gender diversity and sexual diversity in the town (is great).
“But there’s a long way to go. Certain work places are fantastic and encourage diversity but it’s still a hard road for some people.”