Tasmania has a higher proportion of LGBTI+ people than most other Australian states or territories

The revelation comes from data unveiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today which shows 4.5% of Australians or 910,600 people, identify as LGBTI+.

The state-by-state breakdown (see attachment) shows 4.7% of Tasmanians are LGBTI+, which is above the national average. Only Victoria (5.3%) and the ACT (5.6%) are higher.

Equality Tasmania spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

“Tasmania’s rapid transformation from having the nation’s worst LGBTI+ laws to having some of the best, has meant a higher-than-average number of LGBTI+ people have stayed or moved here.”

“This sends a message to our law makers that continuing to challenge discrimination will have a positive impact on growing the size and diversity of our state’s population.”

“To meet the needs of Tasmania’s growing LGBTI+ community it is vital our state undertakes overdue reforms such as enacting a ban on conversion practices and funding a dedicated LGBTI+ mental health service.”

The percentages of LGBTI+ people in NSW, Queensland, WA, SA and the NT are lower than Tasmania, with WA and SA well below the national average.

A copy of the relevant table is attached. It can be downloaded from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/estimates-and-characteristics-lgbti-populations-australia/2022

For a copy of this statement on the web, click here

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.