The Australian LGBTI Media Centre has welcomed the admission of the Daily Telegraph that it stuffed up, but warns the damage may have been done to the LGBTIQ* community.
A graphic in the July 12 edition of the Sydney newspaper insinuated that same-sex attraction was an unhealthy “choice”. The Telegraph admitted that it was inadvertent in a short statement by Editor Chris Dore on its Facebook page and to journalists and advocates.
“The Telegraph has admitted it did a sloppy job, and we welcome that,” said Media Centre Director Andre Charadia. “But the fact is that damage may have been done. It’s inadvertently pushed the stereotype that being lesbian, gay or bisexual is inherently unhealthy.”
“Somebody should have picked up on this before it went to print. It’s now on the Daily Telegraph’s editorial team to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
“The community is right to be angry. Anti-LGBTIQ activists and extremists continue to push the false narrative that we are unhealthy and not natural in order to deprive us of our dignity and humanity. It’s this false narrative that causes real anguish among vulnerable young LGBTIQ people, and those young people will be feeling targeted.”
LGBTIQ people face significant mental and physical health challenges compared to other Australians, but this is often the result of discrimination and lack of access to health services. Young LGBTIQ people are particularly vulnerable, being five times more likely to attempt suicide and twice as likely to self-harm.(1)
Contact Director Andre Charadia on 0426 242 216 or algbtimc@gmail.com
Notes
*Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer
(1) Statistics taken from the Australian LGBTI Health Alliance: http://lgbtihealth.org.au/statistics/
Australian LGBTI Media Centre 