In the lead-up to the International Day Against Homophobia we have witnessed a timely reminder that the journey to equality for our community is far from over.

Earlier this week, Victorians learnt that Professor Kuruvilla George, Victoria's Deputy Chief Psychiatrist and board member of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC), is a signatory to a submission opposing marriage equality made by a group named Doctors for the Family. Professor George has since resigned from his position on the VEOHRC board.

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) has accepted the resignation of board member Professor Kuruvilla George who was criticised for opposing same-sex marriage because it would damage "the health of our nation".

In a statement this morning, VEOHRC chairman John Searle announced the board had accepted George's resignation due to "time constraints and personal reasons that have emerged over recent months".

Under new leadership, the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL) will push for stronger federal protection and will target vilification at state and federal levels.

New VGLRL convenor Anna Brown has been working with the committee to create a strong agenda.

The launch of the Private Lives 2 (PL2) report earlier this month really brought into the open the disparities between the health of LGBT Australians compared to all Australians — and clear disparities between groups within the LGBT community.

Generally, LGBT physical health was on par with the broader community. Once again, however, on many mental health issues, LGBT health was worse. Further, trans, bisexual and youth health were even worse again than LGBT health.

It's telling that no one who sees the ribbon gracing my jacket knows what it means. It's a leftover from a few months ago, but I've decided to leave it on.

It's the ribbon for the International Day of People With Disabilities.

I'm writing about this, in this column, because there are plenty of people in the LGBTI community who live with the effects of disabilities, of one kind or another, every day of their lives (including me). They may or may not experience intersecting discrimination from outside — or within — our community, due to their disability.

I have the pleasure of forwarding the outcomes of the VGLRL's recent planning day.

While there is much we want to do, the lobby decided to focus on the following key goals:

1. Achieving the most comprehensive and effective federal equal opportunity law.

The lack of such laws is a huge example of systemic discrimination at the federal level. While there is broad support in general, issues such as complete coverage for all in our community and the old chestnut of religious exemptions/exceptions will be important parts of the picture. We look forward to keeping the pressure on the federal Parliament to deliver the best outcome.

The now infamous "hate truck" and Bob Katter's anti-gay marriage advertising campaign exposed the ugly side of Queensland politics during the recent election campaign (cont...)

The Baillieu Government should be congratulated for preserving the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.

In retaining the judicial oversight provisions of the charter, a very important democratic principle, namely that of the separation of powers of the executive and of the judiciary, has been upheld.