Dale Dominey-Howes is conducting research on the social impact of natural disasters in Queensland.
An investigation of how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) Queenslanders are affected by natural disasters is being undertaken by the University of Sydney and University of Western Sydney. They are investigating the impacts of Cyclone Yasi on residents of Far North Queensland and the 2011 floods on residents of Brisbane. Research in other parts of the world has shown that LGBTI populations can experience significant discrimination during the impact and recovery phases of a disaster. "We need to make sure the needs of LGBTI Australians are met by governments and other organisations. We really need Queenslanders who have been impacted by these disasters to tell us about their experiences to ensure they have a voice in the development of future policies," said Associate Professor Dale Dominey-Howes , from the School of Geosciences at the University of Sydney. A chief investigator on the project, Associate Professor Dominey-Howes regularly advises governments on the development of emergency management policies and procedures. Dr Andrew Gorman-Murray , from the Urban Research Centre at the University of Western Sydney and the project's other chief investigator, said "We know that during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, for example, LGBTI people experienced significant levels of discrimination in emergency shelters." Following Hurricane Katrina, both government and non-government agencies defined 'family' as an opposite sex couple and their biological children.
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