Same-sex Lawyers

Same-sex issues arise in several areas of law, many of which include the practice areas offered by Steiner Legal. If you are a same-sex couple, single, or part of the wider LGBTIQ community, you want to be assured that when you need a lawyer you receive legal assistance from someone who is sensitive to your individual needs.

Steiner Legal provides ongoing support to the LGBTIQ community through volunteer associations and continues this commitment in private practice.

IVF, surrogacy and donor arrangements are some of the common areas in which advice may be required. If you are in a same-sex relationship or you are single and considering having children, obtaining the right legal advice at the early stages of your plan is vital. The family structure that you intend to create is likely to have specific legal implications for each of the parties.

Steiner Legal is able to provide you with advice concerning the legal implications of known or anonymous donor arrangements and can assist you by preparing known sperm donor agreements and egg donor agreements.

Other matters that Steiner Legal can provide assistance to the LGBTIQ community include:

Discrimination

What is discrimination?

A person has been discriminated against when they have been treated less favourably than another person, or if following equal treatment, without consideration of a person’s circumstances, the person has been treated less favourably. Discrimination can occur either directly or indirectly.

What is the difference between direct and indirect discrimination?

Direct discrimination occurs where a person has been treated differently to another person and in an unfavourable way.

Indirect discrimination results from behaviour that seems to be neutral but impacts a particular group of people disproportionally.

On what grounds can I be discriminated against?

Under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), it is illegal for a person to be discriminated based upon their sexual orientation, a characteristic that pertains to a person with the same sexual orientation as yourself, and a characteristic that is presumed to belong to people with the same sexual orientation as yourself.

What do I need to prove that discrimination has occurred?

In relation to direct discrimination, the Sex Discrimination Act provisions require proof of causation for discrimination. This means that you must be able to prove that you were treated differently because of your sexual orientation.

For indirect discrimination, the Sex Discrimination Act requires proof of some unreasonable or disproportional effect on a group of people, with a specific sexual orientation.

What can I do if I’m being discriminated against?

If you feel you are being discriminated against you have two options. First, you can try to resolve the issue internally through your workplace’s discrimination policy and procedures. If this is not possible, or doesn’t resolve the matter, you have the option of lodging a written complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission. Following the lodging of a complaint with AHRC, the Commission has powers regarding investigation and conciliation, and will assist you in resolving the matter. If the Commission can’t resolve the matter, it has the power to recommend the matter for litigation.

What remedies are available for discrimination matters?

The remedy available for a discrimination matter will differ depending on the case. Some of the remedies that can be awarded include an apology, an injunction and damages.

What can Steiner Legal do for you?

Steiner Legal can assist you with your discrimination matter by providing advice on your rights, negotiating with other parties to settle the matter, assist in the lodging of a complaint with the AHRC and provide legal representation for litigation.

For further information, or for help with your discrimination matter, please contact us on (02) 9555 5595 or admin@steinerlegal.wpengine.com

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Steiner Legal does not charge a fee for the first half an hour of your initial consultation in Family Law matters. Following your initial consultation, a fixed range of fees may be provided in some matters.