How to vote for sex-positive values
This week, our resident sexologist answers a reader’s question about how to vote in a way that reflects their values and work out which politicians care about women’s safety, sexual health and LGBTQIA+ rights.
Q: Dear Jamie,
With the upcoming Australian election, I’m feeling really overwhelmed. I want to vote in a way that supports the LGBTQIA+ community, women’s safety, and strong sexual health policies, but I’m not sure where to start or which politicians are actually backing these causes. Do you have any advice on how to be a good ally and what to look for in a candidate when it comes to sex-positive and inclusive policy?
A: Dear CityMag reader,
Being informed before you make it to the ballot box is so important, especially right now with so much at stake for women, queer communities and broader sexual and reproductive health rights. Understanding where parties stand on key issues like abortion access, gender diversity, women’s safety and inclusive healthcare can make a huge difference in how we vote and who we vote into parliament.
According to a collective statement by Dr Anna Noonan, Professor Kirsten Black and Professor Deborah Bateson at the University of Sydney, our country is in urgent need of proper investment in women’s health services and research.
If we’re to reach the goals outlined in the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020 – 2030, we need serious political and budgetary commitment. That includes funding better reproductive health care, safer and more accessible abortion services, better research into conditions like endometriosis, menopause and PCOS, and ensuring that healthcare systems are designed for inclusion.
In terms of the LGBTQIA+ communities, gender affirming care, inclusive sex education, anti-discrimination laws, and proper funding of support services all sit in the hands of elected officials. What we’re seeing overseas (from the United States to the United Kingdom ) is a pretty sobering reminder of how fast rights can be stripped away when the wrong people hold power.
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This is where something like the ABC’s Vote Compass comes in handy. Even if you consider yourself politically savvy, I found it incredibly useful and still use it for every election. The Vote Compass tool asks 30 questions across a range of topics, from social justice to healthcare, climate and education, and maps out how your views align with each party. It’s basically like a little political GPS for your values, so even if you think you know where you stand, going through the questions to see specifically where each party sits can really dictate your decisions.
For example, one question asked whether transgender women should be allowed to compete in women’s sporting leagues. The Greens strongly agreed, Labor somewhat agreed, while the Liberal Party and One Nation either somewhat or strongly disagreed.
On whether abortion access should be expanded, the Greens said “much more,” Labor said “somewhat more,” the Liberals opted for “about the same,” and One Nation came in hot with “much less.”
When asked whether political parties should run as many women as men, the Greens and Labor both strongly agreed, the Liberals somewhat agreed, and One Nation strongly disagreed. It shows that these differences are clear and this matters when we’re talking about who gets to make the rules about our bodies, safety and futures.
Questions around healthcare access were just as revealing. The Greens and Labor were strongly in favour of government-funded GP visits for all, while One Nation and the Liberals only somewhat agreed.
On whether the private sector should have more control in health care, Greens said “less,” Labor and Liberals said “about the same,” and One Nation pushed for “more.” These positions influence how easy it is to get a doctor’s appointment, find affordable mental health support, or access essential sexual and reproductive healthcare which can be life changing.
For voters in Adelaide, here are some of your candidates:
- Steve Georganas (Australian Labor Party)
- Mat Monti (The Greens)
- Amy Grantham (Liberal Party)
- Lionel Pengilley (Animal Justice Party)
- Riley Size (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation)
- Matthew McMillan ( FUSION | Planet Rescue | Whistleblower Protection | Innovation)
- Steve Marks (Trumpet of Patriots)
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Each one of these candidates is backed by a party with a specific stance on gender equity, LGBTQIA+ rights, health access and more, so use this opportunity to vote with your values.
Dr Emma Brennan from the University of Newcastle reminds us that elections don’t just reflect policy, but they shape the kind of society we want to live in. She points out that rising cost-of-living pressures are widening the wealth gap and that good policy has the power to counteract inequality.
“We no longer have a wage economy but an asset economy,” she explains. “Without decisive action, this divide will soon be unable to be bridged.”
She stresses that this election will test how well parties listen and how well they can deliver a future where everyone has access to the things we value most: care, home, community, health, education and safety.
Rising cost of living pressures are widening the gap between those who have wealth and those who don’t, and without meaningful policy change, that divide will only grow. It seems that we’re no longer just living in a wage-based economy, but one where ownership and access to assets determine opportunity. This election isn’t just about their promises to the Australian public, but about shaping the kind of future we want to build for ourselves. A good government should be focused on the things we all value: affordable healthcare, community, safety, housing, education and care.
So what can you do?
- Use the ABC’s Vote Compass to understand how your values align with party platforms.
- Do some digging on the candidates in your electorate, not just what they say, but what they vote for.
- Share resources with your friends who may feel overwhelmed or underinformed.
- And most importantly, show up, because votes shape lives, and yours really does count.
We’re living in a political moment where our rights, safety and access to care are on the line. Whether it’s abortion access, LGBTQIA+ rights, or gendered violence prevention, your vote has the power to influence policy. If you want a future where everyone gets to thrive (not just survive) make your values known at the ballot box.
Stay safe, stay sexy, and vote well.
Jamie Bucirde has a postgraduate degree in sexology from Curtin University. Her advice is of a general nature and should be taken in the spirit of the column.
On The Cusp is supported by Adult Bliss Erotica, find out more about their range to support your sexual health and wellness via their website. Read the entire back catalogue of On the Cusp here.