List of LGBTI holders of political offices in Australia explained

This is a list of LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) holders of political offices in Australia.[1] [2] Currently and historically there are no intersex parliamentarians, although Tony Briffa is known as the world's first openly intersex mayor and "first known intersex public office-bearer in the Western world",[3] having served as Deputy Mayor of the City of Hobsons Bay between 2009–2011 and Mayor between 2011–2012.[4] [5] [6]

Federal parliament

NameImagePartySeatTerm in OfficeNotes
Don Dobie[7]  Member for Hughes26 November 196625 October 1969
Member for Cook25 October 19692 December 1972
13 December 197529 January 1996
Neil Brown[8]  Member for Diamond Valley25 October 19692 December 1972Came out in 1996
13 December 19755 March 1983
Member for Menzies1 December 198425 February 1991
Neal Blewett[9]  Member for Bonython10 December 197711 February 1994Came out in 2000
Colin Hollis[10]  Member for Macarthur5 March 19831 December 1984
Member for Throsby1 December 19848 October 2001
Bob Brown[11]  Senator for Tasmania1 July 199615 June 2012
Brian Greig[12]  Senator for Western Australia1 July 199930 June 2005
Penny Wong[13]  Senator for South Australia1 July 2002incumbent
Louise Pratt[14]  Senator for Western Australia1 July 200830 June 2014
2 July 2016incumbent
Dean Smith[15]  Senator for Western Australia2 May 2012incumbent
Janet Rice[16]  Senator for Victoria1 July 201419 April 2024
Robert Simms[17]  Senator for South Australia22 September 20152 July 2016
Trent Zimmerman[18]  Member for North Sydney5 December 201523 May 2022
Trevor Evans[19]  Member for Brisbane2 July 201623 May 2022
Julian Hill[20]  Member for Bruce2 July 2016incumbent
Tim Wilson Member for Goldstein2 July 201623 May 2022
Kerryn Phelps[21]  Member for Wentworth20 October 201818 May 2019
Angie Bell[22]  Member for Moncrieff18 May 2019incumbent
Nita Green[23]  Senator for Queensland1 July 2019incumbent
Stephen Bates[24]  Member for Brisbane28 May 2022incumbent

Tasmania

New South Wales

Legislative Council

Legislative Assembly

Western Australia

Legislative Council

Legislative Assembly

Victoria

Legislative Council

Legislative Assembly

South Australia

Australian Capital Territory

Northern Territory

Current:

Officeholders:

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Where your MP stands on Marriage Equality.
  2. Web site: Senators and Members. Canberra. corporateName=Commonwealth Parliament; address=Parliament House-->. www.aph.gov.au. 17 February 2019. 12 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220112014500/https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members. live.
  3. Web site: Briffa to march in mayoral robes . . 8 December 2011 . 18 September 2017 . 30 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141230115006/http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/briffa-to-march-in-mayoral-robes/67497 . live .
  4. Web site: Intersex Mayor Elected in Australia . . 9 December 2011 . 18 September 2017 . 10 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131110024705/http://www.advocate.com/news/daily-news/2011/12/09/intersex-mayor-elected-australia . live .
  5. Web site: Tony Briffa Of Australia's City Of Hobsons Bay Becomes World's First Intersex Mayor . . 10 December 2011 . 18 September 2017 . 17 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131117044146/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/10/tony-briffa-intersex-mayor_n_1140840.html . live .
  6. Web site: World's first intersex mayor, Cr Tony Briffa does not want to be called he or she . . 15 April 2013 . 18 September 2017 . 1 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150601221956/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/worlds-first-intersex-mayor-cr-tony-briffa-does-not-want-to-be-called-he-or-she/story-e6frf7jo-1226621092313 . live .
  7. News: Dobie, James Donald (Don) (1927–1996). Chris. Cunneen. People Australia. National Centre of Biography. 13 August 2022. 2 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220702175954/https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/dobie-james-donald-don-18343. live.
  8. Web site: The rise of LGBTIQ politicians. 2016-07-01. Election Watch – Australia 2016. en. 2019-02-17. 12 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190412060105/https://electionwatch.unimelb.edu.au/australia-2016/articles/the-rise-of-lgbtiq-politicians. dead.
  9. Web site: Why politicians are well within their rights to sue journalists. 2015-01-29. Crikey. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 17 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142214/https://www.crikey.com.au/2015/01/29/why-politicians-are-well-within-their-rights-to-sue-journalists/. live.
  10. News: Spouse du jour, more to the point. Alan. Ramsey. Sydney Morning Herald. 29 May 2004. 17 April 2023. 17 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230417011818/https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/spouse-du-jour-more-to-the-point-20040529-gdj0pn.html. live.
  11. Web site: Bob Brown Australian politician. Encyclopedia Britannica. en. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 17 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190217090601/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Brown. live.
  12. Web site: The day a gay WA polly took a stand in Parliament. 2017-11-17. The West Australian. en. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 7 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180907170020/https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/wa-politician-brian-greig-reflects-on-the-day-he-stood-up-for-gay-rights-in-australian-parliament-ng-b88662257z. live.
  13. Web site: Aussie Lesbian Makes Political History. Belonksy. Andrew. 2007-12-05. www.queerty.com . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  14. Web site: Pratt mum on her next role. 2014-05-25. The West Australian. en . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  15. Web site: Same-sex marriage's unlikely hero: Liberal Dean Smith, the 'invisible man'. Hooton. Amanda. 2017-12-14. The Sydney Morning Herald. en . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  16. Web site: Gender changes, but a wife's love stays. Birnbauer. William. 2007-09-09. The Age. en. dmy-all. 2022-03-27. 5 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170905173904/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/gender-changes-but-a-wifes-love-stays/2007/09/08/1188783562207.html. live.
  17. Web site: New senator Robert Simms talks of struggle to come out. Ireland. Judith. 2015-10-13. The Sydney Morning Herald. en . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  18. News: There's More To Trent Zimmerman Than Being A Gay Liberal In The House Of Reps. Butler. Josh. 2016-04-11. Huffington Post . dmy-all. 2019-02-17. en-AU.
  19. Web site: Queensland's first openly gay MP wants same-sex marriage vote now. Andree Withey. 2017-07-31. ABC News. en-AU . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  20. Book: Reynolds, Andrew. The Children of Harvey Milk. 2018-10-15. Oxford University Press. 9780190460952. en . dmy-all.
  21. Web site: How a celebrity doctor became one of the most powerful women in Canberra. Feller. Jennifer. 2018-12-03. ABC News. en-AU. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 4 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181204113941/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-03/the-life-of-member-for-wentworth-kerryn-phelps/10462196. live.
  22. News: Gay LNP federal election 2019 candidate Angie Bell hopes to make history in blue ribbon seat. ABC News. 15 May 2019. 31 May 2019. 29 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190529015940/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-15/first-lesbian-candidate-for-lnp-angie-bell-moncrieff/11106540. live.
  23. News: Senator Nita Green Wife Lacey are expecting their first child. Star Observer. 21 August 2021. 21 August 2021. 20 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210820235122/https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/senator-nita-green-wife-lacey-are-expecting-their-first-child/205250. live.
  24. Web site: Could the LGBTQI Vote Make a Difference in Brisbane. Bowman. Jan. May 19, 2022. May 28, 2022. Westender.
  25. Web site: Family first for ALP's first openly gay Tasmanian candidate Alison Standen. www.news.com.au. 8 October 2017 . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  26. Web site: Labor candidate for Newtown Penny Sharpe takes the wraps off her family. Nicholls. Sean. 2014-10-19. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 17 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142235/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/labor-candidate-for-newtown-penny-sharpe-takes-the-wraps-off-her-family-20141019-117m3l.html. live.
  27. Web site: Legislative Council Hansard – 10 May 2022 – Proof – Inaugural Speeches. 10 May 2022. 12 May 2022. 29 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180629074158/https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Hansard/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-1820781676-88905/link/2267. live.
  28. Web site: Amanda Cohn. Parliament of NSW. en . dmy-all. 2023-05-24.
  29. Web site: About – the Hon. Jacqui Munro MLC .
  30. Web site: 'I lived with a lot of denial': Former politician Michael Yabsley's new life. 5 June 2020. 27 June 2020. 29 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200629152249/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/i-lived-with-a-lot-of-denial-former-politician-michael-yabsley-s-new-life-20200529-p54xku.html. live.
  31. Web site: First openly gay state MP Paul O'Grady dies in Sydney. Nicholls. Sean. 2015-01-18. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 17 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142246/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/first-openly-gay-state-mp-paul-ogrady-dies-in-sydney-20150118-12sm40.html. live.
  32. Web site: Outed MP not alone: 1 in 5 men gay. 2010-05-21. www.dailytelegraph.com.au. en . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  33. Web site: NSW gay marriage bill fails by one vote. 2013-11-14. www.dailytelegraph.com.au. en . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  34. Web site: Liberal MP Don Harwin discloses he is gay. Hasham. Nicole. 2014-11-20. The Sydney Morning Herald. en . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  35. Web site: Marriage equality "not the be all and end all" says new gay NSW Liberal MP. Brook. Benedict. 2015-05-06. Star Observer. en-US . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  36. Web site: NSW's newest gay MP supports marriage equality but won't be heading down the aisle. 2015-05-29. Star Observer . en-US . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  37. Web site: First gay MP for Sydney equality. 2012-11-03. www.dailytelegraph.com.au. en. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 9 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170909020517/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/first-married-gay-mp-alex-greenwich-to-work-for-sydney-and-for-equality/news-story/a3532e0f1600f2dfd3ac20acbb4519c7. live.
  38. Web site: Retiring MPs – NSW Votes 2011 – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). www.abc.net.au. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 9 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190309141805/http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2011/guide/departingmps.htm. live.
  39. Web site: Southeast Liberals high hopes for Malcolm. 2015-09-23. www.dailytelegraph.com.au. en . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  40. Web site: Gay couple first to marry in ACT. 2013-12-06. www.heraldsun.com.au. en . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  41. Web site: About Peter. dmy-all. 2021-11-28. peterfostermlc.com.au. en. 22 September 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240922115456/https://peterfostermlc.com.au/about/about-peter/. live.
  42. Web site: Politicians agree to disagree on same-sex marriage plebiscite. Southern. ABC Great. 2016-06-24. ABC News. en-AU. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 9 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220309100706/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-24/gay-marriage-debate/7542018. live.
  43. Web site: Lynn MacLaren – Same-Sex Marriage Bill in WA Reaches First Milestone Australian Marriage Equality. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. en-AU. 25 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160625054601/http://www.australianmarriageequality.org/2014/02/19/lynn-maclaren-same-sex-marriage-bill-in-wa-reaches-first-milestone/. live.
  44. Web site: Louise Pratt. www.alp.org.au. en . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  45. Web site: WA MP Stuart Aubrey shares his coming out experience . Out in Perth . 15 July 2022 . 19 April 2022 . 22 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240922115457/https://www.outinperth.com/wa-mp-stuart-aubrey-shares-his-coming-out-experience/ . live .
  46. Web site: Passionate plea for marriage equality in WA Parliament. Andrew O'Connor. 2015-09-23. ABC News. en-AU. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 11 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170911212905/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-23/labor-mp-lisa-baker-makes-passionate-same-sex-marriage-plea/6800130. live.
  47. Web site: 'Being gay just feels normal here': Perth's most popular suburbs for same sex couples to live revealed. McNeill. Heather. 2017-12-14. WAtoday. en. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 17 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181117083813/https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/being-gay-just-feels-normal-here-perths-most-popular-suburbs-for-same-sex-couples-to-live-revealed-20171214-h04tid.html. live.
  48. Book: John Hyde MLA, Member for Perth. 2008. John Hyde. Hyde. John. Perth, W.A. 17 February 2019. 22 September 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240922115359/https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/tep/88146. live.
  49. Web site: Creating federal LGBTI portfolio could encourage new LGBTI MPs: rights lobby. Riley. Benjamin. 2015-01-28. Star Observer. en-US . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  50. Web site: Critics take to social media to condemn Joe McCracken's 'internalised homophobia'. news.com.au. 2022-04-13.
  51. Web site: Candidates. It Takes More. en-US. dmy-all. 2022-12-15. 15 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221215045448/https://www.ittakesmore.com.au/candidates. live.
  52. Web site: Victorian Libs oust Olexander. 29 November 2020. 29 November 2005. Nick. Mckenzie. ABC News (Australia) PM. 22 September 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240922115352/https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/pm. live.
  53. Web site: Victoria's first openly gay cabinet ministers were just sworn in. Hirst. Jordan. 2022-06-27. QNews. en-US. dmy-all. 2022-12-16. 16 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221216070600/https://qnews.com.au/victorias-first-openly-gay-cabinet-ministers-were-just-sworn-in/. live.
  54. Web site: Greens' Gabrielle De Vietri is Victoria's Newest Out Member of Parliament. Thomas. Shibu. 2022-11-28. Star Observer. en-US. dmy-all. 2022-12-15. 15 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221215045451/https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/greens-gabrielle-de-vietri-is-victorias-newest-out-gay-member-of-parliament/218688. live.
  55. Web site: Hunter first MP in gay marriage. 2012-01-20. www.adelaidenow.com.au. en . dmy-all. 2019-02-17.
  56. Web site: First biography since Don Dunstan's death reveals his double life drove him to resign. 2014-05-08. www.adelaidenow.com.au. en. dmy-all. 2020-10-20. 20 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170520145306/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/first-biography-since-don-dunstans-death-reveals-his-double-life-drove-him-to-resign/news-story/f4c7e41589fe146f381d0ae0a0e9c034. live.
  57. Web site: Quickhit: Kelly Vincent elected to Upper House in South Australia!. lauredhel. 2010-04-08. Hoyden About Town. en. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 22 September 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240922115351/https://hoydenabouttown.com/2010/04/08/quickhit-kelly-vincent-elected-to-upper-house-in-south-australia/. live.
  58. Web site: Andrew Barr set to become Australia's first openly gay state or territory leader. McIlroy. Tom. 2014-12-05. Canberra Times. en. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 17 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142224/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/andrew-barr-set-to-become-australias-first-openly-gay-state-or-territory-leader-20141205-120wyz.html. live.
  59. Web site: Second gay ACT parliamentarian Chris Steel tips hat to chief minister Andrew Barr for paving the way. Burgess. Katie. 2016-12-13. Canberra Times. en. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 17 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142317/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/second-gay-act-parliamentarian-chris-steel-tips-hat-to-chief-minister-andrew-barr-for-paving-the-way-20161213-gt9q2j.html. live.
  60. Web site: It's not just a survey, it's personal – HerCanberra.com.au. hercanberra.com.au. 8 October 2017. dmy-all. 2019-06-30. 30 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190630014205/https://hercanberra.com.au/cplife/not-just-survey-personal/. live.
  61. Web site: Meet Laura Nuttall, the ACT's youngest and newest politician . 3 February 2024 . 15 March 2024 . 22 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240922115351/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8506214/meet-the-greens-laura-nuttall-the-acts-newest-and-youngest-mla/ . live .
  62. Web site: Chansey Paech is Australia's first gay, Indigenous parliamentarian. Topics. en. dmy-all. 2019-02-17. 17 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190217145224/https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/sexuality/agenda/article/2016/09/07/chansey-paech-australias-first-gay-indigenous-parliamentarian. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of LGBTI holders of political offices in Australia".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.