Only 43% of the Australian LGBTQ Community Feels Safe Holding Hands in Public (Video)

According to a study commissioned by the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), only 43% of Australian LGBTQ people feel comfortable holding hands with their partner in public.

Meanwhile, 94% of Australians believe anybody should be able to hold hands in public.

The study was conducted in partnership with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

SBS writes:

Mardi Gras CEO Terese Casu says the study highlights the issues the LGBTIQ community faces daily.

“It’s a simple and loving gesture to hold your partner’s hand, however for fear of discrimination, and experiences in violence and abuse – the reality is that many in the community still don’t feel safe,” says Casu.

In response to these findings, ANZ released a video urging queer couples to hold on:

It’s a lovely video, but it doesn’t really deal with the root of the problem: the threat of violence that makes LGBTQ people afraid to hold hands in public.