OUT South West co-president rebukes comparisons made by anti-vaxxers to LGBTQ+ struggle for equal rights

The peak advocacy body for LGBTQIA+ rights in the South West has slammed comparisons made by a group of anti-vaxxers in Bridgetown to the sufferings and struggles the community faces. A member of a “pro-choice” alliance said at question time at a special Bridgetown-Greenbushes Shire meeting last week that the struggle of anti-vaxxers in regards to vaccine mandates was similar to the fight for equal rights for the LGBTIA+ community. It came before councillors rejected a number of motions pushing for the Shire to write to the State Government and declare the local government area mandate free. OUT South West co-president Cassandra Hymers said although she agreed anti-vaxxers had the right to choose whether to take the COVID-19 vaccine, the self-inflicted barring from venues was not comparable to the struggle of those in the LGBTQ+ community. “This parallel is incorrect, members of the LGBT community have been and are still losing their lives, their jobs and rights because of who they are, not because of a choice,” she said. “As a community we believe in people’s body autonomy and it is your body autonomy to choose whether you take a vaccine or you do not take a vaccine. “Whichever choice you make there are consequences, if that vaccine is going to affect you that is a consequence or if you can be restricted from going to certain places, that is a consequence you chose but it is about choice which has never been violated.” The speaker at the meeting said anti-vaxxers were a similar minority group facing an uphill battle. “We most recently saw the rights of another minority group being passed in this country, that is the LGBT plus plus plus being able to marry and be part of the community,” the attendee said. “Here in Western Australia in 2022 where people wish to maintain authority over their body and what goes into it are now excluded from sharing meals with their family and friends at cafes or restaurants, go to the gym and now for many are unable to work to provide for their families.” Ms Hymers discredited the comparison and said some of the key issues still faced by those in the LGBTQ+ community included stigmatisation for who they are, discrimination in blood donations for gay men and the trampling of trans rights. OUT South West is an advocacy group which operates in the South West and aims to raise awareness of the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community and increase inclusivity in the region.