This Mardi Gras, the Member for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen, is working with Rainbow Families NSW to uncover inequality faced by LGBTIQ-parented families.

Families with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/gender diverse, intersex or queer/questioning parents continue to face barriers in accessing state services.

This may include difficulties enrolling children in schools, issues in hospitals, out-dated government forms, or complications with assisted reproductive technology, surrogacy or fostering and adoption.

Ms Haylen and Rainbow Families have launched an online survey for LGBTIQ parented families to assess the areas of government most in need of reform. Rainbow Families will present a report to the LGBTI cross-party working group at its International Family Equality Day event in May.

LGBTIQ parents living in NSW can find the survey at: www.johaylen.com/rainbowfamilies

Rainbow Families NSW is a volunteer-led community organisation committed to fostering resiliency by connecting, supporting and empowering LGBTIQ families.

Quotes attributable to Member for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen MP

“I’m proud to represent a community that a sizeable number of rainbow families call home.

“It’s unacceptable that parents and children continue to face discrimination or difficulty in accessing services simply because parents may be same sex attracted.

“NSW has made leaps and bounds in moving towards equality for the LGBTIQ community, but it’s clear more work must be done to end the stigma and discrimination many parents and families feel.

Quotes attributable to Ashley Scott, Co-chair of Rainbow Families

“We regularly hear reports from our members of parents forced to jump through hoops to get their kids enrolled in schools, particularly when kids are living in co-parent arrangements.

“Lesbian mums are still often given pamphlets on how to be the dad when their kids are born in public hospitals.

“These might not seem like not seem like big deals, but they matter to families and they matter to kids who can often feel different or isolated.”

Quotes attributable to Vanessa Gonzalez, Co-chair of Rainbow Families

“Even something as simple as needing to cross out mum or dad on a form can show how government has yet to catch up with how modern families are formed.

“These problems don’t only affect LGBTI parented families – these issues are also common for single parent families and families where grandparents or others are principal carers.

“We encourage all LGBTIQ parents to take a few minutes and fill out the survey.”