A recent poll conducted by Redbridge for the advocacy group Equality Australia of 1,013 respondents has revealed that a substantial majority of Australians reject the use of LGBTQ+ topics as political tools.
The findings of the poll demonstrate that 75% of participants believe politicians should stop attempting to politicise issues related to the LGBTQ+ community. This sentiment is even more pronounced when it comes to transgender matters, with 86% of respondents expressing that such topics should not be used for political gain. Teddy Cook, the chair of the TransEquality Council, commented on the results, stating, “Australians aren’t interested in seeing trans people be used as a distraction in an election campaign. It’s been tried before in Australia and is clearly a losing strategy,” and added that focusing on the issues affecting a small segment of the population distracts from more pressing societal concerns: “Talking about gender and obsessing about a vulnerable one per cent of the population won’t help pay the bills or find a home.”
Despite LGBTQ+ rights ranking low on the priority list for voters—only three per cent of respondents identified these issues as vital to their voting decisions—there is overwhelming support for the community. The survey found that 89% of Australians believe LGBTQ+ citizens should be afforded dignity and respect, while 91% thought that trans Australians deserve the same rights and protections as other citizens. Anna Brown, Chief Executive of Equality Australia, remarked, “This polling proves that Australian values of equality and a fair go immediately come to the fore when it comes to issues affecting the vulnerable. It also proves that attacking the marginalised is not only morally wrong but politically foolish.”
The poll also highlighted a general awareness of ongoing discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ people, with 64% of Australians acknowledging that such discrimination remains a reality. This understanding transcended political affiliations, with one Liberal voter stating, “Everyone should be equal and there should not be any discrimination at all.” Views on more complex matters, such as trans healthcare and sports participation, revealed that 78% supported the notion that health services should adequately treat and support trans patients.
Furthermore, the survey indicated a strong rejection of the label “too woke,” with many participants expressing frustration with the term. One Liberal voter asserted that this notion serves as a tactic to “shut down proper debate on real issues,” while a member of the LGBTQ+ community described being woke as simply indicative of being “socially aware.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://gaysydneynews.com.au/nsw/australians-reject-politicisation-of-lgbt-issues-heading-into-election/ – This article corroborates the findings of the poll conducted by Redbridge for Equality Australia, highlighting that a significant majority of Australians reject the politicisation of LGBTQIA+ issues and particularly transgender-related topics.
- https://qnews.com.au/backlash-grows-against-trumpet-of-patriots-ads/ – It supports the notion that using LGBTQIA+ issues, especially trans topics, for political gain is unpopular in Australia, with specific reference to reactions against divisive political advertisements.
- https://www.pollbludger.net/2025/03/21/federal-polls-yougov-and-redbridge-group-open-thread/comment-page-1/ – This article mentions recent polling results from the RedBridge Group, which provides context to the political climate ahead of the election and aligns with the broader priorities of Australian voters.
- https://gaysydneynews.com.au/nsw/auustralians-reject-politicisation-of-lgbt-issues-heading-into-election/ – Although the URL appears incorrect, it is intended to refer to the same source as the first URL, emphasizing views on LGBTQIA+ rights not being a top priority for voters.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The content references an upcoming federal election in May, which suggests recent data. There is no indication of recycling old news or outdated information, and the polling results are likely contemporary.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes are included from individuals like Teddy Cook and Anna Brown. While these quotes could not be verified as original to this specific piece, they appear to be recent and contextually appropriate.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from DNAMagazine.com.au, which is not one of the most widely recognized media outlets. However, it references a specific poll conducted by Redbridge and quotes from notable figures in Australian advocacy groups.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims in the narrative align with plausible voter sentiments regarding the politicisation of LGBTQIA+ issues. The focus on immediate economic concerns over social issues is consistent with typical voter priorities.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The content appears fresh due to its reference to an upcoming election and contemporary polling data. Quotes seem to be specific to this context. While the source is not among the most well-known, it bases its claims on a recent poll and quotes from advocacy figures. The narrative’s plausibility is high, but the reliability of the source could be questioned for broader credibility.
