Ninety-six (96) surveys were received.

Data was collected by leaving questionnaires and a deposit box at various businesses in Townsville and Thuringowa, and at gay and lesbian venues. The survey was inserted into QPride and was also available to download from the AVC website.

Respondents identified as gay (47%), lesbian (28%), bisexual (16%), transgender (4%) and 5% did not respond to the question.

Preliminary results of the survey indicate that:-

72% of the sample felt that their personal safety was at risk from homophobic abuse/assault.

43% said they had experienced homophobic abuse/assault in the last 12 months and the threat comes from everywhere – family, workplace, neighbours, strangers.

Only 5% had reported the crime to the Police. Respondents said that they didn’t feel the crime was serious enough and they feared the Police would not deal with it seriously.

59% said they made changes in their behaviour to minimise the risk of homophobic abuse and assault – eg. act straight, dress conservatively, not show affection in public, self-defense training, additional home security, always carry a mobile phone.

Many people said that they had never been subjected to homophobic abuse/assault but still felt unsafe. Several of them said that politicians actions and inactions demonstrate it is not ok to be homosexual, that legislative bias was a factor.

78% of people felt there was a need for more action by governments at all levels (Federal, State, local).

56% felt that legislation eg QLD’s new anti vilification laws increased their sense of personal safety and 51% felt it deterred perpetrators.

The survey validates the need for the work of the AVC and reinforces our commitment to our future goals of continuing to work with the QLD Police Service for greater understanding and relevant procedures, for advocating for specialist services for LGBTI people in Townsville, and for continuing to lobby for legislative change at both a State and Federal Government level.