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Australia voted yes: What does that mean for GPs?
The Australian people have voted in favour of allowing same-sex couples to marry.
GPs have a key role to play by helping patients throughout the ongoing path to marriage equality.
‘As part of valuing diversity and inclusion, RACGP Council supports marriage equality. We recognise the absolute right of all RACGP members to hold and express their own personal views on this matter. However, the ongoing process may continue to take a toll on people in the community, particularly in terms of mental health, and GPs will be able to play a major role in assisting these patients,’ RACGP President Dr Bastian Seidel said.
‘We urge members to provide particular care and consideration to LGBTIQ groups during this period, and for themselves through the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration [GPMHSC] and the RACGP GP Support Program.’
A majority of 61.6% (7,817,247 people) voted ‘yes’ in the Marriage Law Postal Survey, compared to 38.4% (4,873,987 people) who voted ‘no’. A total of 12,727,920 (79.5%) eligible Australians participated in the survey.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, a long-time supporter of marriage equality, praised Australians’ backing for same-sex marriage.
‘It is unequivocal, it is overwhelming,’ the Prime Minister said shortly after yesterday’s announcement. ‘They voted “yes” for fairness, commitment, love.’
The path to having marriage equality enshrined into Australia law is far from over, however, with Federal Parliament still to vote on the matter. The bill to legalise same-sex marriage has been introduced to parliament, and the Prime Minister has said the Federal Government will work to push the change through ‘before Christmas’.
‘Now it is up to us, here in the Parliament of Australia, to get on with it. To get on with the job the Australian people have tasked us to do, and get this done this year. That must be our commitment,’ the Prime Minister said.
Prof Ruth McNair, a GP who works at an LGBTIQ-specific practice, echoed Dr Seidel’s comments regarding GPs’ role in the ongoing treatment of many in the community.
‘There will be relief that this part of the process is over; however, there is awareness that even a “yes” outcome will herald more difficult discussions,’ she told newsGP.
‘[GPs] need to be aware of the high level of stress and hyper vigilance being carried by so many LGBT people. This infuses every aspect of life. So we need to support and encourage finding safe spaces, time out, and facilitate counselling referral where needed.’
The RACGP has compiled a range of materials to support members in providing care to their patients and others in the community who have experienced detrimental health impacts during the marriage equality debate. These include an RACGP curriculum contextual unit, numerous Australian Family Physician (AFP) and Good Practice articles, education modules, clinical guidelines, and other RACGP-endorsed content.
Other resources for GPs and LGBTQI patients
The National LGBTI Health Alliance offers a number of professional development, education and training courses. Other resources include:
- QLife – counselling and referral service for LGBTIQ people that provides early intervention, peer-supported phone and web-based services to people of all ages
- Wingmen – mental health support hub for gay men
- Carer Gateway – national online and phone service that provides practical information and resources for carers
- MindOUT – develops and delivers national suicide-prevention initiatives aimed at building the capacity of the mental health and suicide prevention sectors to meet the support and wellbeing needs of LGBTIQ populations
- Silver Rainbow – provides national coordination and support activities promoting the wellbeing of older LGBTIQ people and the delivery of the awareness training to the aged care sector
- headspace – provides early-intervention mental health services to people aged 12–25, including a number of resources for LGBTIQ people
- beyondblue – provides several mental health resources for LGBTIQ people
- ReachOut – online mental health organisation for young people and their parents that provides practical support, tools and tips, including for LGBTIQ people
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