Making decisions about medical treatment for a partner or family member, when they are not capable of speaking for themselves, is often a traumatic and difficult experience.

Making decisions about medical treatment for a partner or family member, when they are not capable of speaking for themselves, is often a traumatic and difficult experience.

For many people in gay and lesbian relationships, or who are bisexual or transgender, the experience can be even more traumatic when their relationships are not recognised and they are excluded from the decision-making process by partners or family members.

A research project being conducted by Southern Cross University’s Aged Services Learning and Research Centre (ASLaRC), in partnership with ACON, is examining the attitudes to end-of-life care for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people (GLBT).

Dr Tania Lienert is coordinating the project, which she hopes will lead to a greater understanding by GLBT people of their legal rights and how to ensure those rights are met.

“We hope to ensure a greater understanding by the wider community and mainstream health care providers of the importance of personal relationships and community connections for GLBT people, ultimately leading to better care,” Dr Lienert said.

“We want to raise awareness within the community about people’s rights and what legal mechanisms exist.”

These can include Enduring Guardianship, Enduring Power of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives.

Professor Colleen Cartwright, the director of ASLaRC, said there were many stories about family members excluding partners from decision making.

“There is also some discrimination in the health care system where relationships are not recognised. We want to make sure all marginalised groups are aware of their legal rights and how they can be met,” Professor Cartwright said.

The project is being run across the state.

For more information, contact Dr Tania Lienert, principal researcher, via email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone (02) 6620 3450.

To participate in the online survey, visit:

GLBT end-of-life care survey