LGBTQI people of faith have been urged to make their views known to the Australian Government about proposed religious discrimination and “religious freedom” legislation in the wake of the Israel Folau saga.

The Government has announced a consultation process involving MPs and religious groups, but it had not made clear whether LGBTQI groups will be allowed to participate.

Just.equal spokesperson Rodney Croome has now clarified this. “We have an assurance from the office of Attorney-General, Christian Porter, that LGBTI groups can be part of the consultation,” Croome said earlier today. We urge LGBTI groups, including faith groups, to contact Mr Porter’s office and ask to participate in the consultation. It is vital the Government hears diverse LGBTI community voices, especially those concerned about the potential erosion of LGBTI legal rights in the name of religious freedom.”

On Monday the Government released a summary of its legislative priorities that included religious freedom amendments to existing federal laws regarding marriage, charities and discrimination, as well as the appointment of a religious freedom commissioner.