February 20, 2019

More needs to be done for LGBTIQ+ inclusion across Australia, ANZ research shows

New ANZ research1 shows that almost half a million LGBTIQ+ community members (1 in every 4) in Australia are still not comfortable being their true selves and discussing their sexuality and gender identity with their loved ones or friends.

ANZ commissioned the research to mark its 13 year relationship with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Key research findings:

84% of LGBTIQ+ community members believe there are still parts of Australia where it is unsafe to be LGBTIQ+. And 68% of non- LGBTIQ+ think so too.
68% of Aussies support efforts to improve LGBTIQ+ equality.
LGBTIQ+ community members are still twice as likely to experience some form of harassment, discrimination or open prejudice because of their sexual orientation.
52% of LGBTIQ+ community members would not open up about their sexuality with their manager at work.

ANZ’s Group Executive Australia, Mark Hand, who is also Chair of ANZ’s Diversity Council, said: “Being open about your whole identity is something that all Australians should be comfortable doing, and yet our research shows that this is not the case.

“At ANZ we believe that the same pride and inclusion experienced at the nation’s largest LGBTIQ+ celebration on Oxford St in Sydney, belongs on all streets and in all communities,” Mr Hand said.

This year ANZ is bringing a little bit of Mardi Gras and all that it represents to different parts of Australia. Seven sculptures have been installed across the country, transforming Oxford St signs into beautiful works of art. These are designed to be signposts of an equal future and inclusivity for the LGBTIQ+ community. A giant ‘Signs of Love’ signpost has also been installed at Bondi Beach pointing to the other 122 Oxford Streets around the country.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO, Terese Casu said: “ANZ has been a long-time supporter of Mardi Gras and we’re thrilled that they share our vision of LGBTIQ+ inclusion across the country. We hope the installations serve as a reminder that individuality is worth celebrating and that they prompt conversation around LGBTIQ+ inclusion in a range of different communities.”

^[1] Conducted by YouGov Research, Being LGBTIQ+ in Australia today, surveyed 1029 Australians aged 18+ in February 2019.

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More information and digital assets below:

Read the stories behind the designs of each Oxford sign

Download overlay footage:

Hero campaign video (vimeo)

Key interviews (vimeo)

Oxford street sign locations and images:

New South Wales (metro) – ‘Signs of Love’, Bondi Park, Campbell Parade, Bondi.
Image coming soon
New South Wales (regional) – ‘Eternal Flame’, Oxford St (cnr Bourne Cl), Mittagong.
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Victoria – ‘Coming Out’, Oxford St (cnr Battery Rd), Deep Lead.
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Queensland – ‘Pink FlaminGo-Go’, Oxford St (cnr Talford Street), Rockhampton.
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Tasmania – ‘Love is Love’, Oxford St (cnr Abbott St), East Launceston.
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Western Australia – ‘I’m Spinning Around’, Oxford St (Austral Pde), East Bunbury.
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South Australia – ‘Turn the Party’, Port Pirie Regional Tourism and Arts Centre.
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Northern Territory – ‘We’re Not in Sydney Toto’, Oxford Rd (cnr Cox Peninsula Rd), Berry Springs.
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For those unable to visit one of the seven Oxford Streets, these can be viewed on Google Street View from Wednesday 27 February for a 360 look at the signs across the country.

YouGov Key Research Findings:

One in three Australians (29%) believe that discrimination near where they live is not rare (LGBTIQ+: 38%, Heterosexual: 28%)
Most LGBTIQ+ people (55%) would not open up about their sexuality in a rural town or community
Among heterosexuals who have no family or close friends that identify as LGBTIQ+, just over half support efforts to increase equality (56%), but this rises to over three quarters (77%) with two or more LGBTIQ+ friends
More than half (52%) of LGBTIQ+ people would not open up about their sexuality with their manager at work
Almost half (41%) of LGBTIQ+ people would not open up about their sexuality in a place of education, like a school or university