In July 2024, we wrote to Attorney-General Hon Kyam Maher to express our concerns about a rise in anti-LGBTIQA+ hate incidents and the lack of legal protection from hate and vilification. This follows incidents at a Rainbow Storytime event at Salisbury Council Library and the annual Southern Pride March.
The Attorney-General responded to confirm that:
“Members of the South Australian LGBTIQA+ community should feel safe and be free from discrimination and hate, and the Malinauskas Government is committed to ensuring equality for all South Australians.
I note that while there are no specific laws in South Australia against vilification on the basis of sexuality or gender identity, there are several existing offences that may be relevant including section 18A of the Summary Offences Act 1953 (SO Act) prohibiting the use of threatening, abusive or insulting words in, at or near a public meeting, or section 73 of the SO Act prohibiting disorderly conduct.
SARAA will continue to raise our concerns about the lack of adequate protections for LGBTIQA+ South Australians from hate and vilification.